EV Smart Charging in Distribution Grids - Experimental evaluation using Hardware in the Loop Setup

The rising demand for electric vehicles (EVs) in the face of limited grid capacity encourages the development and implementation of smart charging (SC) algorithms. Experimental validation plays a pivotal role in advancing this field. This article formulates a hierarchical mixed integer programming EV SC algorithm designed for low voltage (LV)...

Comparative Impact of Three Practical Electric Vehicle Charging Scheduling Schemes on Low Voltage Distribution Grids

This paper benchmarks the performance of three practical electric vehicle (EV) charging scheduling methods relative to uncontrolled charging (UNC) in low-voltage (LV) distribution grids. The charging methods compared are the voltage droop method (VDM), price-signal-based method (PSM) and average rate method (ARM). Trade-offs associated with the...

Data-Driven Study of LV Distribution Grid Behaviour with Increasing Electric Vehicle Penetration

In this paper, the impact of Electric Vehicle (EV) uncontrolled charging with four levels of EV penetration in overall 21 real low voltage distribution grids in two seasons are analysed. The employed real grid data is provided by distribution system operators from three European countries: Austria, Germany and the Netherlands. At least six...

Optimal Power Flow Control in Parallel Operating AC and DC Distribution Links

DC links with back to back voltage source converters are usually built alongside the existing medium voltage ac distribution grids for infrastructure reinforcement. The distribution network operators need to run multiple of such parallel ac and dc links between two substations at optimal efficiency. This article shows that the active power...

Number of Levels, Arm Inductance and Modulation Trade-offs for High Power Medium Voltage Grid-Connected Modular Multilevel Converters

There is an increasing focus on integrating flexible dc links for bulk power routing in medium voltage distribution grids. In such applications, the ac-dc Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) devised for medium voltage and high-power ratings can be an interesting choice. This paper highlights some less explored design trade-offs arising due to...

Voltage Source Converter Control under Distorted Grid Voltage for Hybrid AC-DC Distribution Links

Back-To-Back (B2B) Voltage Source Converter (VSC) with AC-side LCL filters can be adopted for parallel AC-DC distribution links. In this paper, Grid-side Current Control (GCC) for the inner/fast control loops of the front- and backend power electronics are implemented in order to enhance the system performance against grid disturbances. Herein,...

Reliability, Efficiency and Cost Trade-offs for Medium Voltage Distribution Network Expansion using Refurbished AC-DC Reconfigurable Links

The role of MVDC links for distribution network expansion is important. The distribution network operators (DNOs) can maximize the power transfer capacity of existing grid infrastructure during (n-1] contingencies using reconfigurable parallel ac-dc architecture. In addition this concept involves a range of efficiency, reliability and...

Detection of series arcs using load side voltage drop for protection of low voltage DC Systems

Low voltage dc distribution grids face issues associated with arc faults, aggravated by the absence of current zero crossing. The focus of this paper is to comprehensively develop a method of series arc fault detection at the load side power electronics, based on the electrode dependent initial voltage drop occurring at the arc initiation....

Reconfigurable DC Links for Restructuring Existing Medium Voltage AC Distribution Grids

While the scientific community recognizes the benefits of DC power transfer, the distribution network operators point out the practical and economic constraints in refurbishing the existing AC network at a medium-voltage level. Some apprehensions like reliability, cost of ownership, and safety in adopting a universal DC distribution may merit...

Grid capacity and efficiency enhancement by operating medium voltage AC cables as DC links with modular multilevel converters

It is anticipated that with the thrust towards use of clean energy resources such as electric vehicles, future distribution grids will face a steep increase in power demand, forcing the utility operators to invest in enhancing the power delivering capacity of the grid infrastructure. It is identified that the critical 5–20 km medium voltage (MV)...