Evaluation of voltage sag and unbalance due to the system connection of electric vehicles on distribution system

Abstract

Due to increased concerns for rising oil prices and environmental problems, various solutions have been proposed for solving energy problems through tightening environmental regulations such as those regarding CO2 reduction. Among them, Electrical Vehicles (EVs) are evaluated to be the most realistic and effective approach. Accordingly, research and development on EVs and charging infrastructures are mainly proceeding in developed countries. Since EVs operate using electric energy form a battery, they must be connected to the power system to charge the battery. If many EVs are connected during a short time, power quality problems can occur such as voltage sag, voltage unbalance and harmonics which are generated from power electronics devices. Therefore, when EVs are charged, it is necessary to analyze the effect of power quality on the distribution system, because EVs will gradually replace gasoline vehicles, and the number of EVs will be increased. In this paper, a battery for EVs and a PWM converter are modeled using an ElectroMagnetic Transient Program (EMTP). The voltage sag and unbalance are evaluated when EVs are connected to the distribution system of the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO). The simulation results are compared with IEEE standards.