Enhancing grid hosting capacity through an Electric Vehicle based virtual Electricity Network (EVEN)

Large-scale electric vehicle (EV) adoption is placing increasing pressure on distribution networks with limited hosting capacity (HC). While many smart charging strategies have been proposed to enhance HC, most assume EVs are stationary loads and overlook their inherent mobility. This study proposes a novel EV -based virtual E lectricity N etwork (EVEN) concept, where EVs charge in capacity-rich networks and discharge in capacity-constrained areas, effectively transferring energy without using the physical grid. This mobile electricity delivery mechanism enables HC enhancement in weak networks. We develop an integrated framework that combines inter-network energy delivery optimization, stochastic time-series HC analysis, and battery degradation modeling. The framework is applied to two real-world systems: a 50-bus rural residential network with limited HC and a 76-bus industrial network with surplus capacity. Simulation results show that shifting just 10 % of evening demand from the rural to the industrial network can reduce total undervoltage by 80 % and voltage violations by 65 %, with only minimal side effects upstream. While the EVEN solution increases battery cycling degradation, it reduces calendar degradation, resulting in overall battery wear comparable to non-EVEN scenarios. This is one of the first studies to quantify the system-level HC benefits of EV-mediated energy delivery while accounting for battery health impacts. The results suggest that EVEN solution is a scalable, cost-effective alternative to physical grid reinforcement, offering a practical means of transforming EVs into mobile grid-support assets under normal operating conditions. • Propose an EV -based virtual e lectricity n etwork (EVEN) enabling inter-network energy transfer • Show that shifting load between networks can significantly relieve grid constraints • Effectively reduce total undervoltage by 80 % and violation counts by 65 % in the weak network • Observe comparable total battery wear as increased battery cycling offsets reduced calendar aging • Identify EVEN as a scalable, cost-effective non-wires alternative to traditional grid reinforcement.