Integrating Smart PHEVs in Future Smart Grid

Abstract

In a smart power network, PHEVs can act as either loads or distributed sources of energy. The two terms most commonly used to describe the interconnection of a power network and electric vehicle are `Grid-to-Vehicle (G2V)’ and `Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G)’. When electric vehicles are connected into the grid to recharge their batteries or supply energy to it, they act as loads known as the G2V or V2G modes of operation respectively. This chapter reviews the impact of implementing the G2V mode, and the benefits and drawbacks of, and strategies for, the V2G interfacing of individual vehicles with a PHEV park. The performance of a power system network can be improved using V2G technology, which offers reactive power support, power regulation, load balancing, and harmonics filtering, which in turn, improve its quality, efficiency, reliability and stability. To implement V2G technology, a power network might require significant changes in its structure, components and controls, the issues for which include battery life, the need for concentrated communication between vehicles and the grid, the effects on distribution accessories, infrastructure changes, and social, political, cultural and technical concerns. As storage is essential for a power system, distributed electric vehicles can be an economical storage solution if it has a good plan for buying and selling its energy. Bidirectional power flow technologies of V2G systems need to be addressed and the economic benefits of V2G technologies depend on vehicle aggregation and G2V/V2G strategies. In the future, it is expected that their benefits will receive greater attention from grid operators and vehicle owners.