Evaluation of the impact of plug-in electric vehicle loading on distribution system operations

TLDR

Electric transportation offers lower emissions, reduced petroleum dependence, and cost savings, and plug‑in hybrid electric vehicles are viewed as the most promising means to electrify a large share of transport, prompting utilities to evaluate their impact on system operations. The study aims to detail an analytical framework for assessing how PHEV loading affects distribution system operations. The framework was developed through a large, multi‑utility collaborative effort to model PHEV loading effects on distribution feeders. Partial results on a single feeder suggest that PHEV loading has measurable effects on distribution operations.

Abstract

Electric transportation has many attractive features in today's energy environment including decreasing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, reducing dependence on imported petroleum, and potentially providing consumers a lower cost alternative to gasoline. Plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) vehicles represent the most promising approach to electrification of a significant portion of the transportation sector. Electric power utilities recognize this possibility and must analyze the associated impacts to electric system operations. This paper provides details of analytical framework developed to evaluate the impact of PHEV loading on distribution system operations as part of a large, multi-utility collaborative study. This paper also summarizes partial results of the impact of PHEVs on one utility distribution feeder.