Harmonics-Aware Smart Charging of Electric Vehicles

Smart charging of electric vehicles (EVs) is emerging as a critical tool to ease grid congestion, defer costly network upgrades, and leverage off-peak electricity rates. While most research highlights voltage management and peak load reduction, harmonic emissions associated with varying smart charging currents demand closer attention. This paper presents harmonic emission profile of different EV models and simplifies harmonic modeling for multiple EVs. Then, a non-linear optimization framework is introduced to enable harmonics-aware EV charging, accommodating random arrival, departure, and energy (kWh) demands. The framework prioritizes maintaining total harmonic distortion (THD) within set limits while ensuring a minimum fulfillment rate (e.g., 90 % of requested demand). Results indicate that THD can be managed effectively by marginally curtailing demand. The model integrates seamlessly with existing smart charging systems, requiring minimal investment for deployment.