Thomas Helmschrott

Methodical approach for analyzing the impact of a mass introduction of electric vehicles on the electricity networks in Europe

Electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles (EV, PHEV) have the potential to contribute significantly to solving contemporary and future environmental and economic challenges of mobility. Different EU member states are currently addressing the subject in an isolated manner. The G4V consortium consisting of major European electric utilities and distinguished academic institutions are now adopting a holistic European approach to analyze the impact of a mass introduction in detail in order to optimize the grid infrastructure and make use of the inherent opportunities this represents for the operation of smart grids and energy efficiency. This paper will present a new probabilistic approach that was used to calculate the effects of electric vehicles on a large basis of European distribution grids. Simulation results will confirm the necessity of the chosen approach.

Impact of different electric vehicle charging strategies onto required distribution grid reinforcement

Electric and plug-In hybrid electric vehicles are expected to rapidly enter the market throughout the next decade and will become an important part of the intelligent energy supply of the future. This paper describes the key results of the Grid for Vehicles (G4V) project demonstrating a methodology to assess the grid impact of different EV charging strategies and what consequences have to be expected for distribution grids in five different European countries. It focuses on a methodology for automatic approximation of grid reinforcement costs and shows exemplary results regarding the expected need for reinforcement and related costs and gives recommendations for the design of future EV charging strategies.

Approach and main results of the G4V project analyzing the impact of a mass introduction of electric vehicles on electricity networks in Europe

The Grid 4 Vehicles project (G4V) has analyzed the effects of a mass integration of electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (EV and PHEV) into some distribution grids in Europe. A consortium consisting of six European research institutions and six European utilities has developed a methodology to investigate the effects of EV and PHEV in distribution grids and has proposed different options for intelligent and “grid-friendly” EV charging. This paper introduces the algorithms used for grid calculation, describes intelligent charging methodologies and demonstrates the most significant results of these calculations.