Impact of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles on the power quality of the distribution networks

The paper studies the impact of electric vehicle charging stations on the power quality of distribution networks. The effects of the charging infrastructure on the power quality have been investigated highlighted the possible challenges these infrastructures can create. The impact of low-charging and fast-charging stations installed in a private company parking, owned by the Milan distribution system operator Unareti, have been investigated. To identify potential network problems, the main electrical variables at the points of common coupling with the medium voltage distribution network have been examined. By installing a temporary measurement, the voltage and current root-mean-square, the voltage, and current total harmonic distortion have been recorded and analyzed over 15 consecutive days. The data point out potential criticalities and challenges that could be considered in the planning and operating future low-carbon distribution networks.