EFFICIENT INTEGRATION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES THROUGH OPTIMAL COORDINATED CHARGING AND REACTIVE POWER SUPPORT

Abstract

This paper presents a central control algorithm for EV optimal charging management with EV reactive power support. Based on the distribution network technical properties and limitations, as well as EV charging requirements defined by end consumers, the proposed algorithm defines the optimal EV charging strategy with reactive power support to avoid distribution network overloading as well as large voltage drops. The central control coordinates the operation of EVs while considering EV energy requirements and planned departure time. In case of possible grid overloads or large voltage deviations, the DSO sends signals to EV charging stations to reduce active power charging and to support grid voltage through reactive power support. The proposed control algorithm is cast as a linear optimization problem and demonstrated on a modified IEEE 33-bus network. The case study shows the benefits of including EV reactive power support to reduce EV energy curtailment due to distribution network capacity limitations or large voltage deviations in specific operating conditions.