Calculating the Maximum Penetration of Electric Vehicles in Distribution Networks with Renewable Energy and V2G

The uptake of electric vehicles and distributed energy generation is adding significant new demand to distribution networks, however it is unknown whether this can be accommodated by existing infrastructure. This paper first presents an Optimisation approach for determining the maximum penetration of electric vehicles that can be accommodated within a distribution network in conjunction with renewable energy and battery storage. An alternative approach, utilising Network Impact Tokens is then introduced, simplifying the original Optimisation approach while providing accurate results. The electric vehicle hosting capacity of the network is then analysed with increasing penetration of solar generation, battery storage and the use of V2G, showing that distributed generation can increase the the electric vehicle capacity by up to 38%

Peer-to-Peer Trading for Enhancing Electric Vehicle Charging with Renewable Energy

Electric vehicles (EVs) are rapidly increasing in popularity as greater attention is paid to climate change and decarbonisation, however the environmental benefits that EVs offer can only be fully realised through the use of renewable energy for their charging. Smart charging solutions are essential for managing the impact of EVs and increasing the utilisation of renewable energy, however, questions remain over whether low-voltage distribution networks can accommodate the upcoming increases in EV charging demand. This thesis addresses both the challenge of increasing the utilisation of renewable energy for EV charging and also the importance of ensuring safe operation of low-voltage distribution networks with the integration of EV charging, distributed renewable energy generation, battery storage and vehicle-to-grid technologies. Chapter 3 examines a scenario where houses equipped with solar photovoltaic panels and EV charge points endeavour to sell surplus solar energy and the use of their EV charge point to visiting EVs that require charging. A peer-to-peer auction is proposed, with a novel matching mechanism presented to increase the amount of EV charging completed using solar energy without any knowledge about future EV arrivals. Chapter 4 presents a full peer-to-peer trading model of Network Impact Tokens and Phase Impact Tokens between houses in a low-voltage network. The Impact Tokens guarantee that all EV charging and renewable energy generation does not cause the network to exceed its voltage, current or transformer loading limits, while ensuring each house retains control over its energy usage, requiring no real-time monitoring or sensors in the network, and no privacy issues are encountered. The Network and Phase Impact Token approach is further verified in Chapter 5, as it forms the basis of a novel approach for Distribution System Operators to evaluate the maximum EV hosting capacity of their networks in conjunction with renewable energy generation and battery storage. The maximum EV capacity results are verified by an alternate Optimisation approach and the maximum EV penetration is evaluated for a number of scenarios

Value Proposition of Battery Energy Storage Systems on Electric Distribution Systems in Regulated Environments

The electric power grid will be facing new challenges in the coming years. One recent trend has been more efficient electrical devices throughout the world, stagnating load growth. In addition, the historic model of generating electric power using slow, large, centralized power plants is beginning to disappear as distributed generation (DG) becomes cheaper and more accessible, both to power utility companies and customers. The combination of these two changes results in a changing load profile that is difficult for traditional generation sources to follow. Finally, the growth of electric vehicles (EVs) will continue to exacerbate this issue. On the distribution level, these shifts in load profiles result in accelerated equipment aging and equipment upgrade requirements. In order to reduce equipment costs, this thesis surveys 4 distribution feeders from a local southeast utility, forecasting changes possible in the next five years, and calculates the value proposition of using battery energy storage systems (BESS) to mitigate issues caused by the changing demand load profiles. Siemens PTI’s PSS SINCAL’s functionality to achieve this goal is reviewed. It was found that some distribution feeders have high capacity equipment that would not require any modifications to withstand significant future changes. For the one feeder that does, a BESS had a lower value proposition than upgrading overloaded distribution equipment when using approximate equipment costs

Power quality and electromagnetic compatibility: special report, session 2

The scope of Session 2 (S2) has been defined as follows by the Session Advisory Group and the Technical Committee: Power Quality (PQ), with the more general concept of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and with some related safety problems in electricity distribution systems. Special focus is put on voltage continuity (supply reliability, problem of outages) and voltage quality (voltage level, flicker, unbalance, harmonics). This session will also look at electromagnetic compatibility (mains frequency to 150 kHz), electromagnetic interferences and electric and magnetic fields issues. Also addressed in this session are electrical safety and immunity concerns (lightning issues, step, touch and transferred voltages). The aim of this special report is to present a synthesis of the present concerns in PQ&EMC, based on all selected papers of session 2 and related papers from other sessions, (152 papers in total). The report is divided in the following 4 blocks: Block 1: Electric and Magnetic Fields, EMC, Earthing systems Block 2: Harmonics Block 3: Voltage Variation Block 4: Power Quality Monitoring Two Round Tables will be organised: - Power quality and EMC in the Future Grid (CIGRE/CIRED WG C4.24, RT 13) - Reliability Benchmarking - why we should do it? What should be done in future? (RT 15

Distributed resource integration analysis and network design of electric power distribution systems

The integration of high percentages of distributed energy resources and controllable loads into the distribution system coupled with the strict power quality and service reliability requirements at the power distribution level are necessitating a significant change in the planning, operation and control of the traditional power distribution system. The future power distribution circuits should be able to accommodate the new technologies while simultaneously providing a desired level of power quality and service reliability to the customers. This thesis aims to address the current and future grid requirements of both existing as well as new distribution systems with regard to power quality and service reliability issues. Several methods are proposed to evaluate and mitigate power quality and service reliability concerns due to the integration of smart grid technologies into both existing and new distribution circuits. Notably, for the existing distribution circuits, integration studies are simulated to analyze and mitigate the impacts of electric vehicle loads and photovoltaic generation on the distribution voltages. Furthermore, the problem of siting, sizing and deployment of distributed energy storage systems in meeting distribution planning requirements with regard to integrating distributed generation and providing contingency requirements is also addressed. A new distribution system both grid-connected and operating in islanded mode, however, could be designed to the new requirements. The new distribution circuit could be designed to meet the power quality and service reliability standards directly, thus more efficiently mitigating the concerns. In the thesis, the new distribution circuit design is approached from the perspective of maximizing the service reliability. For the new distribution circuit, approaches to reliability based distribution circuit design are proposed.Electrical and Computer Engineerin

Battery Energy Storage System Mitigation Strategies for the Grid Impacts of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

The face of transportation is changing as a greater number of companies and private individuals switch from traditional automobiles to electric vehicles. This surge has been bolstered by improvements in technology, increased marketing, and a heightened focus on the role humanity plays in climate change. This advancement brings a growth in electrical demand caused by the charging loads of these vehicles. Due to the quick, sudden rise of this technology, the utility energy industry is still in the early stages of preparing for electric vehicle loads beyond the traditional load growth. Though the technology for battery energy storage has been around for some time, there has been a recent resurgence of interest in using it at the grid level. Improvements in technology have made batteries cheaper and more efficient, while the interest in integrating more renewable energy sources has increased their production. With these improvements, battery energy storage may now be useful in mitigating the adverse effects of electric vehicle integration and improving the otherwise accelerated financial impact of these new charging loads. In this thesis, the grid impacts of electric vehicle growth and integration are observed on provided models of real-world feeders. Using this data, the effectiveness of battery energy storage systems in mitigating these impacts in a manner that is economical and beneficial to the utility, the customer, and the environment is analyzed. Following this, a general approach for analyzing electric vehicle impacts and potential mitigation strategies is presented

Reducing the impacts of electric vehicle charging on power distribution transformers

This article investigates the effects of high penetration levels of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging on power distribution transformers and proposes a new solution to minimize its negative impacts. There has been growing concern over Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions within the transportation sector, which accounts for about 23% of total energy-related carbon-dioxide emissions. The main solution to this problem is the electrification of vehicles. However, large scale integration of EVs into existing grid systems poses some challenges. One major challenge is the accelerated aging of expensive grid assets such as transformers. In this article, a demand response mechanism based on the thermal loading of transformers, is proposed. The proposed solution is modeled as an optimization problem, where a new time of use (ToU) tariff is used to shift the EV load considering the thermal loading of transformers, thereby minimizing their accelerated aging. The simulation results show that the accelerated aging of transformers can be reduced without augmenting the existing grid

EcoBlock: Grid Impacts, Scaling, and Resilience

Widespread deployment of EcoBlocks has the potential to transform today's electricity system into one that is more resilient, flexible, efficient and sustainable. In this vision, the system will consist of self- su cient, renewable-powered, block-scale entities that can deliberately adjust their net power exchange and can optimize performance, maintain stability, support each other, or disconnect entirely from the grid as needed. This report is intended as an independent analysis of the potential relationships, both constructive and adverse, between EcoBlocks and the grid

Cost-benefit analysis of Smart Grid projects: Isernia: Costs and benefits of Smart Grid pilot installations and scalability options

Smart Grid pilot projects and their assessment through a cost-benefit analysis are crucial to ensure that Smart Grid and Smart Metering roll-out are economically reasonable and cost-effective. Analysing the Isernia pilot project, the key result of the investigation is that an extra remuneration for such ambitious projects has been crucial in turning the Distribution System Operator’s Return on Investment (RoI) positive.JRC.C.3-Energy Security, Distribution and Market

Open-Source, Open-Architecture SoftwarePlatform for Plug-InElectric Vehicle SmartCharging in California

This interdisciplinary eXtensible Building Operating System–Vehicles project focuses on controlling plug-in electric vehicle charging at residential and small commercial settings using a novel and flexible open-source, open-architecture charge communication and control platform. The platform provides smart charging functionalities and benefits to the utility, homes, and businesses.This project investigates four important areas of vehicle-grid integration research, integrating technical as well as social and behavioral dimensions: smart charging user needs assessment, advanced load control platform development and testing, smart charging impacts, benefits to the power grid, and smart charging ratepayer benefits