Assessment of the Impact of Electric Vehicles on the Design and Effectiveness of Electric Distribution Grid with Distributed Generation

The objective of this paper is to assess the probable effect that electric vehicles (EVs), already in wide circulation and likely to increase exponentially in the near future, will have on distribution networks. Analyses are conducted on the necessary interventions and evolutions that the distribution grid will have to undergo in order to manage this new and progressively increasing heavy load of energy. Thus, in order to understand the technical limitations of the current infrastructure and how transformers and lines will be able to withstand the increasing penetration of EVs, urban and rural grid models have been studied, to highlight the differences between the impacts on high- and low-density networks. In addition, an analysis of fast charging station impact has been carried out. MATLAB software was used to perform the simulations for the creation of scripts, which were then exploited within the DIgSILENT PowerFactory software. This allowed evaluation of the networks under examination and verification of the effectiveness of the proposed solutions. In concluding based on findings, some methods of managing the distribution network to optimise the network parameters analysed in the study and a solution involving electric vehicles are recommended.