EVs charging stations in active distribution grids: A real case-study of smart integration

Abstract

In Italy a large amount of Dispersed Generation (DG), mainly based on Renewable Energy Source (RES), has been connected in the last years to the distribution grids in Medium Voltage (MV) and Low Voltage (LV) grids of Enel Distribuzione, the main Distribution System Operator (DSO) in Italy, changing the electrical system from passive to active. The diffusion of Electrical Vehicles (EVs) is foreseen for the next future, in accordance with the European policies regarding environmental sustainability, resulting in another important change for the distribution grids: EVs charging stations will be realized as new connections with their very variable load towards the grid, in function of the demand required by the EVs. New planning and operation criteria are thus required for the electrical grid. This paper describes results of a wide planning study performed on a real active distribution grid of Enel Distribuzione, including different types of charging stations (public and home stations) in different EVs spread scenarios. The study shows how a smart management approach for EVs charging stations, recently proposed in many scientific papers, dispatching them taking into account DG and coordinating them with RES energy production, could ensure the respect of the operation limits of the grids in the actual asset, so deferring or avoiding network reinforcements.