Coordination of Heat Pumps and Electric Vehicles in Residential Distribution Network Voltage Control

Future challenges facing Distribution Network Operators include the rapid increase in domestic Electric Vehicle (EV) and Heat Pump (HP) penetration due to the decarbonization of both transport and space heating to help reduce the environmental impact of these uses of energy. This paper investigates the impact EV charging and HP operation can have on residential distribution network voltage control. It then proceeds to observe the impact that coordinating these loads can have by reducing network loads throughout the day. This makes use of the free time that comes with the use of HPs for domestic space heating. Research was carried out into distribution network voltage control, EVs and HPs. Modelling techniques were analyzed and the findings were used to develop a model of a coordinated system to be compared with results found for a basic uncoordinated system. The results show that considerable improvements were made by carrying out coordination within single homes and between multiple homes on the network. It was noted that voltage control issues were more prominent with greater EV penetration but also that coordination had more of an impact with the greater numbers of EVs modelled.