A review of key technologies in relation to large-scale clusters of electric vehicles supporting a new power system

Abstract

The construction of a new power system based on new energy sources can support the successful transition of energy consumption toward a low-carbon environment. Large-scale clusters of electric vehicles (EVs) are an important reserve measure supporting the flexibility of the new power system. To summarize the roles of EVs as a reserve measure in practical engineering applications, in this study we analyze three essential elements of EV clusters: control of dispatching, participant behavior, and information communication. First, the characteristics of clusters of EVs that participate in power system operations were analyzed in terms of their physical resources, aggregation and control structure, dispatching strategies, and market mechanisms. Second, the importance of social factors was emphasized, and the limitations of computational and experimental simulation methods used in decision-making behavior research were confirmed. Next, the evolution of hybrid simulation methods integrating human participants, multi-agents, and mathematical models was analyzed. Finally, given the conflicting challenges of maintaining both the security and the economy of the communication network, we discussed the problems and potential solutions relating to full-domain communication coverage, spectrum resource interference, communication security, and customized priority design enabling large-scale clusters of EVs to gain access to the power grid from the perspective of the fusion of the public communication network and the dedicated communication network. The results of our study provide technical and economic reference points and a feasibility guarantee that enable more distributed reserve resources for power systems in various countries and regions.