An Optimized Strategy for the Integration of Photovoltaic Systems and Electric Vehicles into the Real Distribution Grid

Abstract

The increasing spread of photovoltaic systems for private households (PVs) and electric vehicles (EVs) in order to reduce carbon emissions significantly impacts operation conditions in existing distribution networks. Variable and unpredictable PVs can stress distribution network operation, mainly manifested in voltage violations during the day. On the other hand, variable loads such as EV chargers which have battery storage in their configuration have the ability of storying a surplus energy and, if it is necessary, support a distribution network with energy, commonly known as vehicle-to-grid concept (V2G), to help voltage stability network enhancement. This paper proposes an optimal power flow (OPF)-based model for EV charging to minimize power exchange between the superior-10 kV grid and the observed distribution feeder. The optimization procedure is realized using the co-simulation approach that connects power flow analysis software and optimization method. Three different scenarios are observed and analysed. The first scenario is referred to as a base case without optimization. The second and third scenarios include optimal EV charging and discharging patterns under different constraints. To test the optimization model, a 90-bus unbalanced distribution feeder modelled based on real-life examples is used. The obtained results suggest that this optimization model does not only significantly reduce the power exchange between an external network and the distribution feeder but also improves voltage stability and demand curve in the distribution feeder.