Utilization of Electric Vehicles Connected to Distribution Substations for Peak Shaving of Utility Network Loads

Abstract Use of modern electric vehicles and their effective integration into power grids depends on the technologies applied around distribution substations. Distribution substations equipped with energy storing and V2G capability enable peak load shaving and demand response, which will reduce the need to make new investments into building new power sources or power grids to meet peak demand. This paper presents a distribution substation topology for utilizing electric vehicles as energy resource units for peak shaving of utility network loads. The topology allows bidirectional energy exchange among electric vehicles, battery pack energy storage devices and utility networks. The substation acts as a service provider in a microgrid. Functions of a microgrid application were simulated with MATLAB. The evaluation of the results has shown that electric vehicles can be effectively utilized for peak shaving of utility network loads. The results of the modelling and simulation were used for the development of a microgrid prototype. Assessment of capacities of electric vehicles showed that electric vehicles can provide short term support for the utility network.