Synthetic Load Profile for Electric Bus Depots With Centralized Charging Concept

The load profile of electric bus depots is of crucial interest to fleet and grid operators, as well as other market participants. The analysis and definition of synthetic load profiles for these depots is one of the possible tools that can help gain a deeper understanding of the load profiles and the factors that have an impact on them. This paper analyzes 17 bus depots in the city of Hamburg, Germany. Using k-means-based cluster analysis, the load profiles of the respective bus depots are sorted into three different clusters, showing a distinctive shape of the load profile. The analysis is conducted for a summer and winter scenario, allowing the definition of synthetic load profiles for each cluster and scenario. Additionally, the paper analyzes the factors that can lead to different shapes of the load profile. The proposed synthetic load profiles can be used for the analysis, operation, and optimization of electric power systems involving electric bus fleets and bus depots.