Gaining vehicle-to-grid benefits with unidirectional electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle chargers

Abstract

The goal of this paper is to confirm that unidirectional power flow, given a significant penetration of electric vehicles (EVs), is sufficient to provide a utility with reactive power support and other vehicle-to-grid benefits. This work addresses the reactive power support capability of unidirectional chargers and power demand scheduling schemes aimed at minimizing peak loading on a distribution feeder due to multiple charging EVs. Reactive power capacity available from a unidirectional charger is quantified, and the impact of a few distinct utility-controlled power-draw scheduling strategies on peak loading of a distribution feeder model is discussed.