IMPACT OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING ON ITALIAN LV DISTRIBUTION NETWORK

Pilo F.;Pisano G.;Ruggeri S.

2023-01-01

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Abstract

The transport sector (road, rail, shipping, and aviation) is responsible for 37% of global CO2 emissions. Passenger cars and light commercial vehicles are respectively responsible for around 12% and 2.5% of total European CO2 emissions. In order to reduce the impact of the transport sector, strategic actions (e.g., electrification of road vehicles, operational and technical energy efficiency measures, and the adoption of policies to encourage a modal shift to lower carbon-intensive travel options) have to be taken. However, the wide adoption of electric cars could impact the distribution network due to the spread of charging infrastructures. Indeed, the LV networks will host charging infrastructures mostly at residential premises, and uncontrolled charging (e.g., all the vehicles charge at the same time once they are back home) could lead to a violation of the technical limits of the network. Solutions to avoid such drawbacks must be considered. Traditional planning approaches would ask for network reinforcement, while the modern one suggests the use of smart charging strategies to avoid simultaneous charging. In the paper, the two approaches will be compared through a set of representative Italian LV distribution feeders, and a general rule to be used by those DSOs that have to tackle this issue will be identified.