A methodology for the hosting capacity margins evaluation for PEVs impact assessment on distribution grids

The paper describes the definition and the validation of a methodology, based on an extension of the hosting capacity concept, aimed at assessing the effects of plug-in electric vehicles charging on low voltage distribution networks. An index (called time-dependent hosting capacity) was developed, which enables to include in its formulation the charging duration, in order to point out the grid constraints, if any. The validation of this index was carried out through simulations on the CIGRÉ low voltage European reference grid. The simulations consisted in a series of load flow calculations while varying both the load conditions and the number of charging electric vehicles, assuming a constant daily energy need for all vehicles. Moreover, for some simulations the contribution that distributed generation can make to improve the quality of supply within the terms specified by EN 50160 was also investigated.