Developing Priority-Based Control Mechanisms for Grid Ancillary Services through Plug-In Electric Vehicle Charging and Discharging

Abstract

The increasing integration of renewable energy sources into power grids presents challenges for maintaining grid stability and providing essential ancillary services such as frequency regulation, voltage support, and reserve capacity. Plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) have emerged as a flexible resource for delivering these services through controlled charging and discharging. However, the efficient coordination of large fleets of PEVs to support the grid while minimizing impacts on user convenience remains a challenge. This paper proposes a novel priority-based control mechanism that optimizes the participation of PEVs in ancillary services based on vehicle state of charge (SOC), trip schedules, grid requirements, and the availability of distributed generation resources. The proposed system assigns priorities to individual PEVs, enabling a dynamic response to grid needs while accounting for user preferences and vehicle readiness. The control strategy is evaluated through simulations that model the interaction between PEVs and the grid under various conditions. Results demonstrate that the priority-based control mechanism significantly improves grid stability and reduces energy costs while ensuring that user mobility requirements are met. These findings suggest that the proposed approach can enhance the role of PEVs in grid management and facilitate the transition to a more resilient and sustainable energy system. Future work will explore the integration of real-time pricing mechanisms and the broader implementation of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities