A Smart Grid Modelling Tool for Evaluating Optimal Control of Electric Vehicles

The deployment of Electric Vehicles (EVs) is continuously increasing on a global scale due to governmental commitments to ensure energy security, decarbonisation and address environmental concerns, by phasing out Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles. However, if charging is not appropriately controlled, massive EV penetration can lead to significant challenges for local distribution systems. In this context, this paper presents a new extensive tool, based on a Matlab/Simulink platform, to model distribution networks and analyse the impacts of charging of EVs, generation from local Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and the use of smart grid technologies to mitigate these impacts. The tool models the geographical locations of the distribution substations and the nodes where local loads, RES and EV charges may be connected. It allows the user to study the operational framework of current and future distribution networks and enables techno-economic assessment to be made. The modelling tool simulates the daily basis operation of any low-voltage (LV) distribution grid, considering the interaction with both consumers and local RES. This is done by evaluating key system performance measures, such as nodal voltages, line currents and transformer overloading. A user-friendly Graphical User Interface (GUI) facilitates the flexible management of the input parameters. The tool was applied to analyse an existing UK LV distribution network, to demonstrate the feasibility of smart charging and V2G (Vehicle to Grid) technology and the advantages over uncontrolled charging. This paper presents the outline of the modelling tool and the results of investigation of the different scenarios considered in this research.