The role of implicit and explicit economic signals for flexibility provision by EV aggregates: technical evidence and policy recommendations

The diffusion of electric vehicles (EVs) is a key for transport sector decarbonization. This raises concerns on compatibility between EVs and power networks. This work presents a comprehensive analysis of impacts and benefits of EV diffusion on a national power system, i.e., Italy. Demand and flexibility profiles are estimated. Distribution network planning and power system dispatching are encompassed. Results show that spread of EVs will have localized impacts on power and voltage limits on the distribution network, while consequences on transmission grids and dispatching would be negligible, in terms of power and energy demand. To exploit flexibility from EVs and turn a potential issue into a resource, we propose a set of regulatory and policy advices for promoting a better vehicle-grid integration.