Multi-criteria decision support systems for electric vehicle charging schedules in a smart secondary distribution system

Abstract

The operation of a smart secondary distribution network (SDN) has gained significance due to the penetration of chargers for electric vehicle (EV) and in-situ generation. The SDN operators (SDNOs) need dedicated decision support systems (DSS) for scheduling the EVs for charging without overloading the distribution transformer. Multi-criteria DSS(MCDSS) are proposed for the first time to balance the conflicting constraints stemming from the perspectives of both EV users and grid operators. This new approach has also incorporated a contribution-based fairness value (CFV) for each prosumer. MCDSS formulations employing analytical hierarchy process (AHP), VIšekriterijumsko KOmpromisno Rangiranje (VIKOR), and Preference Ranking Organisation METHod for Enrichment Evaluation (PROMETHEE) have been developed for generating fair charging schedules. Performance metrics have also been proposed to compare the three MCDSS techniques. The developed scheduling approaches have been tested in an Australian 19-bus SDN with Ausgrid datasets, and the schedules obtained are presented to bring out the significance of the proposed MCDSS.