Application of Mobile Soft Open Points to Enhance Hosting Capacity of EV Charging Stations

Chutao Zheng, Qiaoling Dai, Zenggang Chen, Jianrong Peng, Guowei Guo, Diwei Lin and Qi Ye ()
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Chutao Zheng: Foshan Power Supply Bureau of Guangdong Power Grid Co., Ltd., Foshan 528000, China
Qiaoling Dai: Foshan Power Supply Bureau of Guangdong Power Grid Co., Ltd., Foshan 528000, China
Zenggang Chen: Foshan Power Supply Bureau of Guangdong Power Grid Co., Ltd., Foshan 528000, China
Jianrong Peng: Foshan Power Supply Bureau of Guangdong Power Grid Co., Ltd., Foshan 528000, China
Guowei Guo: Foshan Power Supply Bureau of Guangdong Power Grid Co., Ltd., Foshan 528000, China
Diwei Lin: Foshan Power Supply Bureau of Guangdong Power Grid Co., Ltd., Foshan 528000, China
Qi Ye: School of Electronic and Information Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 21, 1-25

Abstract: The rapid growth of electric vehicle (EV) charging demand poses significant challenges to distribution networks (DNs), particularly during public holidays when concentrated peaks occur near scenic areas and urban transport hubs. These sudden surges can strain transformer capacity and compromise supply reliability. Fixed soft open points (SOPs) are costly and underutilized, limiting their effectiveness in DNs with multiple transformers and asynchronous peak loads. To address this, from the perspective of power supply companies, this study proposes a mobile soft open point (MSOP)-based approach to enhance the hosting capacity of EV charging stations. The method pre-installs a limited number of fast-access interfaces (FAIs) at candidate transformers and integrates a semi-rolling horizon optimization framework to gradually expand interface availability while scheduling MSOPs daily. An automatic peak period identification algorithm ensures optimization focuses on critical load periods. Case studies on a multi-feeder distribution system coupled with a realistic traffic network demonstrate that the proposed method effectively balances heterogeneous peak loads, matches limited interfaces with MSOPs, and enhances system-level hosting capacity. Compared with fixed SOP deployment, the strategy improves hosting capacity during peak periods while reducing construction costs. The results indicate that MSOPs provide a practical, flexible, and economically efficient solution for power supply companies to manage concentrated holiday charging surges in DNs.

Keywords: charging stations (CSs); mobile soft open points (MSOPs); distribution networks (DNs); peak load management; hosting capacity; fast-access interfaces (FAIs) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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