Electric Vehicle Charging: Transformer Impacts and Smart, Decentralized Solutions

This paper compares distribution transformer aging impacts resulting from plug-in electric vehicles charging under AC Level 1 versus AC Level 2 charging conditions. Additionally, we propose an algorithm for PEV smart charging and evaluate its effectiveness on transformer aging. We use a Monte Carlo simulation of a 25kVA distribution transformer, with ambient temperature data from Burlington, VT and Phoenix, AZ, to calculate transformer aging under both uncoordinated and smart charging conditions. The results indicate more substantial aging as a result of AC Level 2 charging compared to AC Level 1. Smart charging can significantly mitigate these effects. We also present a more decentralized approach to smart charging and compare two distributed automaton-based charge management strategies, which both prevent the transformer from becoming overloaded. These methods give vehicle owners the ability to select among charging priorities in an environment in which the vehicles manage their charging autonomously.