Analysis of the impact of battery electric vehicles on the low voltage network of a Caribbean island

Abstract

The adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) as an alternative form of transportation over internal combustion engine (ICE) driven vehicles introduces unprecedented challenges to the electrical distribution network due to the increased demand on the power system. This study provides the foundation for successful grid-connected EV deployment. The impact of the battery EVs (BEVs) on the electrical distribution network in the Caribbean island of Trinidad was analyzed using a developed residential feeder model based on actual data from the local electric utility. The worst case loading scenarios for increasing AC Level 2 EV charging penetration levels were analyzed in 5 percent increments from 0 to 20 percent with and without voltage regulation along the feeder. The critical penetration level was determined as 5 percent, without taking into consideration the inevitable overloading of existing pole-mounted transformers. At this level, less than 5 percent of the system busses suffered low voltage issues. Above this threshold, significant improvements to the grid would be required. DC charging is not feasible with present grid infrastructure but was also analyzed so as to understand its effects.