Author

1
Electric Vehicles and the Grid Can we power the
vehicles of tomorrow?
10
Author Joshua WestonSupervisor Dr. Iain
MacGill
Results Unmanaged Charging - Residential Results
from the EVOLT show there is a degree of
headroom before the majority of EnergyAustralia
assets that were considered are overloaded. High
penetrations of EVs can be supported without
managed charging if the distance travelled per
vehicle is relatively small.
Abstract The rollout of Electric Vehicles (EVs)
is in its initial stages, with significant
numbers of vehicles to be on sale in the retail
market, in the next three to five years. This
thesis examines The Potential Impacts of
Electric Vehicles on the Local Distribution
Network. There is currently some headroom for EV
penetration inherently within EnergyAustralia
assets, and the load from Electric Vehicle
penetrations responds positively to load
management. However, there exists a large degree
of variance between areas and assets, and as
such, each area should be examined on a
case-by-case basis.
Background There are numerous factors driving the
implementation and utilisation of EVs, and this
is an issue of growing attention throughout the
world. The success of EVs is highly dependant
upon their successful integration within the
distribution grid.
There are numerous questions asked of
Distribution Network Service Providers (DNSP) in
terms of energy supply and load management. As
Managed Charging - Residential The EVOLT predicts
Electric Vehicle load responding favourably to
load management, enabling a significantly higher
percentage of penetration of EVs to be supported.
High percentage EV penetrations can still
overload EA assets at existing kiosk and zone
firm ratings.
Sydneys primary DNSP, EnergyAustralia must be
prepared for this new challenge. Management of
the Distribution Network is a key element of the
total costs involved and thus, overall value of
this new technology. As new technologies lead to
additional peak demand and overall load,
network augmentation is to be expected. EVs have
the potential to lead to serious network
expenditure implications.
Although significant research has been undertaken
into the impending effects of EVs1, this thesis
is unique as it investigates the specific impacts
of EVs on the Distribution Network in Sydney.
Methodology The EVOLT (Electric Vehicle
Operational Load Tool) developed in this thesis,
combines accurate models of vehicle battery
charging, models of EnergyAustralias
distribution network and models of daily commute,
travel times and distances in order to
investigate the potential impacts of electric
vehicles on the local distribution network.
Commercial Customers - City Commercial customers
are in a unique position where EV users typically
arrive at their point of charging prior to the
Zone Substation load peak. Thus, the ideal
management strategy is to fast charge EVs prior
to the zone reaching its load peak. This has the
effect of EV load not compiling with existing
zone load, and merely widening the period of zone
peak output. High percentage penetrations of EVs
will still overload EA assets at existing firm
ratings.
Conclusion Results from this thesis suggest that
the distribution network can cope with varying
levels of EV ownership from EnergyAustralias
customers. Electric vehicles represent a dynamic
and relatively unpredictable new load on the
grid. The implementation of even a basic load
management strategy can greatly enhance the
efficiency at which distribution assets can be
utilised, however EnergyAustralia assets should
be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Acknowledgements The author would like to thank
EnergyAustralia, ChargePoint and BetterPlace for
their help, support and guidance in this thesis.
1?Department of Environment and Climate Change,
Economic Viability of Electric Vehicles,
04/09/09 ?Kaplan, S., Sargent, R., Environment
America Research Policy Center, Plug-In Cars -
Powering America Toward a Cleaner Future, Jan
2010 ?The City of New York, plaNYC Exploring
Electric Vehicle Adoption in New York City, Jan
2010