Demand side management based charging strategy for fleet of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles

Abstract

In coming years, the widespread use of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) will impose a significant burden on the existing electric grid. The situation may worsen due to uncontrolled charging strategies adopted for PHEVs. On the other hand, these PHEVs, if charged through proper control mechanisms may reduce additional dynamic load demands. Also, if utilized properly, they may provide significant support to electric grid from time to time. The entire process of regulating the power exchanged with PHEVs w.r.t the existing grid conditions is well known as Demand Side Management (DSM). To indulge PHEVs in DSM, an accurate estimate of characteristics of PHEVs, both on-road and off-road, is necessary. Thus, this study aims to mathematically model the behaviour of four imperative parameters of PHEVs. These are dynamic travel behaviour, battery state-of-charge (SOC) requirements, the energy demands of PHEVs and, total power exchanged by PHEVs with the electric grid. In addition to this, a smart charging strategy is proposed and tested to verify the ability of PHEVs for participating in DSM for peak load management. The impacts of uncontrolled charging and smart charging of PHEVs on grid power demands are also discussed.