Controlling the Reactive Power Demand of a Distribution Grid by Coordinated Action of Electric Vehicle Chargers

Abstract

Various factors, particularly an increasing share in underground cable lines, can lead to excessive reactive power demand of distribution grids to their respective transport grids and, thus, to the need of costly compensation measures. At the same time, the occurrence of battery-electric cars is considerably increasing. It is, therefore, conceivable to provide reactive power as an inexpensive “waste product” by the charging converters of the cars as a solution to the aforementioned problem. In this research work, the idea is examined for its feasibility by means of extensive time series simulation using the example of a real existing distribution grid. It was found that, with a realistic number of charging points—especially public ones with integrated converter electronics—not only can the reactive power demand be reduced to an acceptable level but also additional reactive power can be provided as a service to the transport grid.