DSO and flexible power contracts as enablers of EV smart charging in residential collective buildings

Abstract

The electric vehicle (EV) market is evolving fast with an expected high penetration of EV in the coming years. These EVs are dependent on charging infrastructure and since most charging will happen at home this will bring challenges to the low-voltage distribution network. The main challenge addressed in this study is the available grid capacity and what could be done to prevent the massive request of residential buildings grid connection reinforcements, which represents significant costs to consumers, large waiting times, which are not compatible with the rising necessities for charging EV and a general oversizing of the distribution network, which will drive the already low utilisation factors even lower. The presented solution for this challenge is to introduce a flexible power grid connection, which takes advantage of smart charging technology and the applications of flexible power contracts to allow the charging of 5–7 times more EV in the common garages of residential buildings without any building grid connection reinforcement and for a fraction of the cost. The distribution system operator (DSO) will represent a key role in the implementation of this solution, not only regarding the technical aspects but also regarding the onboarding of the consumers.