A Methodology for Estimating Allocation of Electric Vehicle Grid Interfaces in a Distribution System

The integration of electric vehicles (EVs) into the smart grid has introduced new challenges and opportunities for optimizing power and energy management. This paper presents a simple method using a decision-tree to estimate allocation of electric vehicle grid interfaces (EVGIs) for EV charging/discharging, leveraging the nodal capabilities of a distribution system. The future distribution system will cater for vehicle-to-grid (V2G) transactions in addition to grid-to-vehicle (G2V) transactions, thus EVGIs allowing for bidirectional (G2V/V2G) power flows need to be deployed. The proposed decision-tree method is based on nodal power flow ratings and peak demand at the nodes assuming the nodal voltages are maintained within their stability envelopes by volt-var optimization and other voltage control methods. The allocation of EVGIs in the IEEE 34 test node feeder distribution system using the decision-tree method is illustrated. The EVGI allocation using decision-trees is a simple method that can provide insights of a typical distribution system's capability to support EV integration with emerging smart grid technologies.