A hierarchical, distributed PEV charging control in low voltage distribution grids to ensure network security

Eight representative low voltage distribution networks in the city of Zurich are modeled including detailed data on individual consumer loads. Subsequently, the impacts of large scale plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) deployment on the particular networks are simulated. The spatial and temporal PEV transportation behavior is determined using an agent based model which makes use of an energy consumption model for individual vehicles. The different distribution networks, which are scattered over the metropolitan area of Zurich, are mapped to the transportation network. Case studies show that uncontrolled recharging leads to a variety of undesired effects such as asset overloading and excessively low voltages. A distributed, hierarchical demand management scheme is integrated into each distribution network and proves to mitigate the undesired effects, suggesting that an intelligent grid architecture can cope with a large number of PEVs while the infrastructure as it is cannot.