Optimal Charging of Plug-In Electric Vehicle: Considering Travel Behavior Uncertainties and Battery Degradation

Abstract

The negative environmental impacts of using fossil fuel-powered vehicles underlined the need for inventing an alternative eco-friendly transportation fleet. Plug-in electrical vehicles (PEVs) are introduced to cut the continuing increase in energy use and carbon emission of the urban mobility. However, the increased demand for mobility, and therefore energy, can create constraints on the power network which can reduce the benefits of electrification as a certain and reliable source. Thus, the rise in the use of electric vehicles needs electric grids to be able to feed the increased energy demand while the current infrastructure supports it. In this paper, we introduce a methodological framework for scheduling smart PEVs charging by considering the uncertainties and battery degradation. This framework includes an economic model for charging and discharging of PEVs which has been implemented in a 21-node sample distribution network with a wind turbine as a distributed generation (DG) unit. Our proposed approach indicates that the optimal charging of the PEVs has a high impact on the distribution network operation, particularly under the high market penetration of PEVs. Thus, the smart grid to vehicle (G2V) charging mode is a potential solution to maximize the PEV’s owner profit, while considering the battery degradation cost of the PEVs. The simulation result indicates that smart charging effectuation is economical.