Impact of electric vechicles on power transmission grids

Abstract

This paper presents a methodology for assessing the impact of electric vehicles (EVs) on the power transmission grid of the Costa Rica Power System. The methodology considers penetration scenarios, user preferences, charging habits, and expected fleet growth. Using ETAP software, the study simulates power flow, demand behavior, and voltage levels in the presence of high penetration of electric vehicles. The analysis covers a 15-year horizon and focuses on voltage and demand profiles in 2025, 2030, and 2040. The results indicate a decline in voltage profiles that reaches dangerous levels after 2030, primarily in the distribution grid, and an increase in demand by Image 1 for 2040 in the most severe scenario. The analysis also reveals several key findings (a) the identification of problems in the electrical infrastructure starting in 2030 and a major insufficiency in accommodating the increase in EVs by 2040; (b) the need to evaluate stability in transmission grids considering loadability and voltage; (c) the necessity of investing in electrical infrastructure, driven by public policies, to meet future energy requirements and strengthen transmission networks; (d) the significance of accounting for both EV growth and electric infrastructure improvements in system analysis; and (e) the anticipation that the system's performance will fall within the extreme demand values presented in the analysis. The study emphasizes the importance of considering a broader range of scenarios and variability in parameters, especially user charging behaviors, to enable decision-makers to plan for the challenges and opportunities associated with the widespread adoption of EVs in a country's power grid.

Keywords

• Electric vehicles
• Forecasting methods
• Power planning
• Power system management