Investigation on using low voltage automatic regulation to minimize the impacts of charging plug-in electric vehicles in distribution systems

The growth of micro and mini distributed generation and, more recently, the use of electric energy storage systems and the incentives for electric mobility are important examples of the transformations that distribution networks have been going through. In this context, this paper firstly presents the impacts of uncoordinated plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) charging in a real Brazilian distribution system. Four scenarios were elaborated with different PEVs penetration levels and the results show increased voltage unbalance, system losses, and violations of the steady-state voltage limits, even in the presence of an automatic voltage regulator installed in the medium voltage network. Then, as the main contribution, the potential usage of automatic voltage regulation at the low voltage network was investigated to minimize the negative impacts of uncontrolled PEV charging on distribution system steady-state operation. It is important to highlight that this is not a common practice of utilities in Brazil. The obtained results showed that regulating the voltage at the low voltage side could be an effective solution to keep the voltages within statutory limits. © 2021, European Association for the Development of Renewable Energy, Environment and Power Quality (EA4EPQ). All rights reserved.