Integrating EVs into distribution grids — Examining the effects of various DSO intervention strategies on optimized charging

Arne Lilienkamp and Nils Namockel

Applied Energy, 2025, vol. 378, issue PA, No S0306261924021585

Abstract: Adopting electric vehicles (EVs) and implementing variable electricity tariffs increase peak demand and the risk of congestion in distribution grids. To avert critical grid situations and sidestep expensive grid expansions, Distribution System Operators (DSOs) must have intervention rights, allowing them to curtail charging processes. Various curtailment strategies are possible, varying in spatio-temporal differentiation and possible discrimination. However, evaluating different strategies is complex due to the interplay of economic factors, technical requirements, and regulatory constraints — a complexity not fully addressed in the current literature. Our study introduces a sophisticated model to optimize electric vehicle charging strategies to address this gap. This model considers different tariff schemes (Fixed, Time-of-Use, and Real-Time) and incorporates DSO interventions (basic, variable, and smart) within its optimization framework. Based on the model, we analyze the flexibility demand and total electricity costs from the users’ perspective. Applying our model to a synthetic distribution grid, we find that flexible tariffs offer consumers only marginal economic benefits and increase the risk of grid congestion due to herding behavior. All curtailment strategies effectively alleviate congestion, with variable curtailment featuring spatio-temporal differentiation, approaching optimality regarding flexibility demand. Notably, applying curtailment from the users’ perspective does not lower cost savings significantly.

Keywords: Distribution grid; Electric vehicles; Flexibility; Smart charging (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C61 D47 Q41 Q48 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261924021585
Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:appene:v:378:y:2025:i:pa:s0306261924021585

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/bibliographic
http://www.elsevier. ... 405891/bibliographic

DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.124775

Access Statistics for this article

Applied Energy is currently edited by J. Yan

More articles in Applied Energy from Elsevier
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Catherine Liu ().