Optimization Model for EV Charging Stations With PV Farm Transactive Energy

Abstract

This article proposes a new mathematical formulation for optimal operation scheduling for a remote photovoltaic (PV) farm and distributed electric vehicle charging stations (D-EVCSs), which are owned by a private entity. The proposed model is formulated to maximize the profit of the D-EVCSs private investor through optimal electric vehicle (EV) charging coordination and pricing mechanism. The proposed pricing mechanism aims to achieve an expected revenue by the private investor, while guaranteeing a low charging price for EVs to ensure the EV owners’ satisfaction. For the EV supply application, D-EVCS integrates a battery storage system and rooftop PV. However, the rooftop PV installation is constrained to the limited footprint of the EVCS. For this reason, the investment in a remote PV farm and its impact on the expected revenue and the EVs charging price is introduced in this article. The power generated by the remote PV farm can be transacted to the D-EVCSs using a power purchase agreement through the utility grid infrastructure. In such a transaction, the electricity service and distribution fees are paid to the utility grid for overseeing the PV farm power transaction. The proposed model also considers the opportunity for D-EVCSs to participate in the provision of operating reserve and demand response ancillary services. Different case studies are evaluated for the purpose of validating the effectiveness of the proposed model.