Mitigating Voltage Drop and Excessive Step-Voltage Regulator Tap Operation in Distribution Networks Due to Electric Vehicle Fast Charging

Oscar Mauricio Hernández-Gómez (), João Paulo Abreu Vieira, Jonathan Muñoz Tabora and Luiz Eduardo Sales e Silva
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Oscar Mauricio Hernández-Gómez: Electrical Engineering Graduate Program, Federal University of Pará, Rua Augusto Corrêa 01, Belém do Pará 66075;110, Brazil
João Paulo Abreu Vieira: Electrical Engineering Graduate Program, Federal University of Pará, Rua Augusto Corrêa 01, Belém do Pará 66075;110, Brazil
Jonathan Muñoz Tabora: Electrical Engineering Department, National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH), Tegucigalpa 04001, Honduras
Luiz Eduardo Sales e Silva: Electrical Engineering Graduate Program, Federal University of Amazonas, Av. Gen. Rodrigo Octávio, Coroado I 6200, Brazil

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-20

Abstract: Electric vehicles (EVs) are transforming the transportation sector, driven by the rapid expansion of charging infrastructure, including fast-charging stations (FCSs), significantly reducing charging time compared to standard charging stations. Despite the advantages of faster charging, the substantial power demand of EVs poses significant technical challenges for distribution networks. In particular, the existing literature has a research gap regarding how FCSs may impact or interact with step-voltage regulators’ (SVRs) tap operations. In this study, we characterize and evaluate the effects of fast recharging at varying penetration levels (PLs) on SVRs’ tap operations using probabilistic simulations and sensitivity analysis. To address these challenges, we propose a local and innovative application of the Volt/Var control on EV fast charging. The proposed application aims to inject reactive power into the network, depending on the FCS’s nominal active power, when the bus voltage connected to the FCS exceeds a minimum value. Our research on an actual feeder in northern Brazil reveals that reducing the active power supplied to the vehicle or oversizing the charging station power converters is unnecessary. Furthermore, our strategy reduces the probability of undervoltage violations and minimizes SVR tap changes, mitigating EVs’ impact on voltage quality.

Keywords: electric vehicles (EVs); fast charging; distribution networks; voltage drops; step-voltage regulators; tap-change operation; Volt/Var curve (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: 2024
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