Modeling Electric Vehicle Charging Demand with the Effect of Increasing EVSEs: A Discrete Event Simulation-Based Model

Abstract

Electric vehicle (EV) use is growing at a steady rate globally. Many countries are planning to ban internal combustion engines by 2030. One of the key issues needed to be addressed before the full-scale deployment of EVs is ensuring energy security. Various studies have developed models to simulate and study hourly electricity demand from EV charging. In this study, we present an improved model based on discrete event simulation, which allows for modeling characteristics of individual EV users, including the availability of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) outside homes and the charging threshold of each EV user. The model is illustrated by simulating 1000 random electric vehicles generated using data from an actual survey. The results agree with previous studies that daily charging demands do not significantly vary. However, the results show a significant shift in charging schedule during weekends. Moreover, the simulation demonstrated that the charging peak demand can be reduced by as much as 11% if EVSEs are made more available outside homes. Interestingly, a behavioral solution, such as requiring users to fully utilize their EV’s battery capacity, is more effective in reducing the peak demand (14–17%). Finally, the study concludes by discussing a few potential implications on electric vehicle charging policy.