SST-Based Grid Reinforcement for Electromobility Integration in Distribution Grids

Energies, vol. 15, pp. 3202

Abstract

Electric Vehicles (EVs) are gaining acceptance due to the advantages they offer in the reduction of nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide emissions. The need for emission reduction and the potential of EVs for these reductions is reflected in the current sustainable mobility policies of the EU as well as the German government. Increasing the penetration of EVs in the grid requires an expansion of EV charging infrastructure, which in turn requires either grid reinforcement or solutions for more efficient use of existing infrastructure to avoid or postpone grid reinforcement. Distribution transformers face increased loading due to EV charging and need to be protected from overloading during peak load periods to ensure continuity of service. Therefore, transformers are one of the components that are upgraded or replaced as a part of grid reinforcement. In this paper, we propose the connection of a Solid-State Transformers (SST) between two buses operating at the same-voltage level as an alternative to replacement or upgrading of conventional transformer as well as to prevent their overloading. We analyse how the proposed topology can be useful to reduce the impact of EV integration on the overloading of distribution transformers and node voltage violations in the distribution grid.

Authors 5

1. Charukeshi Joglekar corresponding Aachen Institute for Automation of Complex Power Systems E.ON Energy Research Center

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Automation of Complex Power Systems, E.ON Energy Research Center, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

2. Benedict J. Mortimer corresponding Aachen Institute for Power Generation and Storage Systems (PGS) E.ON Energy Research Center

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Power Generation and Storage Systems (PGS), E.ON Energy Research Center, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

3. Ferdinanda Ponci corresponding Aachen Institute for Automation of Complex Power Systems E.ON Energy Research Center

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Automation of Complex Power Systems, E.ON Energy Research Center, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

4. Antonello Monti Aachen Institute for Automation of Complex Power Systems E.ON Energy Research Center

   RWTH Aachen University · Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Center for Digital Energy Aachen, Fraunhofer FIT, 52074 Aachen, Germany

   Institute for Automation of Complex Power Systems, E.ON Energy Research Center, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany

5. Rik W. De Doncker Aachen Institute for Power Generation and Storage Systems (PGS) E.ON Energy Research Center

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Power Generation and Storage Systems (PGS), E.ON Energy Research Center, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany