Understanding the network impact of EV growth: Long-term planning approaches developed in the charge project

Abstract

Electric vehicle (EV) growth in electrical networks presents a host of challenges to distribution network operators (DNOs). To prepare for this challenge DNOs must create the necessary tools to highlight the impact of EV growth, determine its magnitude and the best course of action that ensures compliance, availability of chargers, but also value for money for the customer. This study presents an analytical methodology to evaluate the network impact of EV growth and the effectiveness of smart EV charging solutions. The process uses digital resources to forecast potential EV growth on the network and creates network models. These low voltage and high voltage models, with EV growth applied, are then analysed to ensure demand growth is maintained within hosting capacity in line with DNO policy. Where hosting capacity is exceeded, reinforcement options are appraised to satisfy escalating levels of constraint exceedance. Finally, smart EV charging solutions are defined and evaluated as options to mitigate reinforcement requirements. The outputs from the presented analytical process provide valuable input to DNO long-term planning and cost-benefit analysis over discrete time horizons.