The role of electric vehicles in demand response: Implementation, network impacts and market requirements

Abstract

Increasing uptake of electric vehicles will put an increasing strain on underlying electricity grids. However, the negative impacts of electric vehicles can be mitigated by shifting charging to off-peak times, such as overnight, at no inconvenience to the end user. This paper presents the outcomes of an electric vehicle load control pilot demonstration undertaken in Victoria, Australia, that shows that centrally coordinated demand response of electric vehicle charging is a realistic possibility. Trial outputs are used to model the impacts of increasing numbers of electric vehicles on distribution networks. A load shifting solution is demonstrated to improve sustainable electric vehicle uptake in residential networks from 10% of households in the uncontrolled charging case to 80% of households in the controlled charging case. If the appropriate market and regulatory mechanisms are put in place to enable it, demand response for electric vehicles will significantly benefit both network operators and customers.