Configuration of fast/slow charging piles for multiple microgrids considering climbing costs and load fluctuations

This paper presents a two-layer optimal configuration model for EVs' fast/slow charging stations within a multi-microgrid system. The model considers costs related to climbing and netload fluctuations, aiming to meet EVs' charging demands while ensuring grid safety and economy. The upper layer focuses on minimizing investment and operational costs for the microgrid, accounting for EVs' charging characteristics and interdependencies among microgrids. It develops an optimal configuration model for charging stations across multiple microgrids and implements differentiated electricity pricing in various zones to promote orderly charging. The lower layer aims to minimize EVs' charging costs. Using differentiated pricing, it analyzes the spatiotemporal distribution of EVs' charging loads through the Monte Carlo method. This analysis informs the upper layer for further optimization of charging station configurations. An analysis of three scenarios shows that the proposed approach reduces EVs' charging costs by 44.3% compared to uncoordinated charging. It also mitigates the impact of EVs' charging loads on the microgrid, enhances operational safety and contributes to increased social welfare.