Impact assessment of varying penetrations of electric vehicles on low voltage distribution systems
Open accessAbstract
Advances in the development of electric vehicles, along with policy incentives will see a wider uptake of this technology in the transport sector in future years. However, the widespread implementation of electric vehicles could lead to adverse effects on power system networks, especially existing distribution networks. This work investigates some of the potential impacts from various levels of uncontrolled electric vehicle charging on a test distribution network. The network is examined under worst case scenario conditions for residential electricity demand in an effort to assess the full impact from electric vehicles. The results demonstrate that even for relatively modest levels of electric vehicle charging, both the voltage and thermal loading levels can exceed safe operating limits. The results also indicate the importance of assessing each phase on the network separately in order to capture the full effects of uncontrolled electric vehicle charging on the network.
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Many previous studies model the grid as a perfectly balanced three-phase system.
“Many previous studies, such as [5,9,10], model the grid as a perfectly balanced three phase system.”
From Optimized Integration of Electric Vehicles in Low Voltage Distribution Grids (2019) · cites this paper as [10]
The cited paper does not model its grid as perfectly balanced. In Section IV (Results), it explicitly says it carries out unbalanced load-flow analyses and examines single-phase voltages because distribution networks typically have phase imbalance. (LLM, conf=0.92)
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Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe surge in EV penetration has introduced challenges for distribution systems, including increased load volatility, potential overload from simultaneous charging, and risks to voltage stability.
“However, this surge in EV penetration has introduced challenges for distribution sys tems, including increased load volatility, potential overload from simultaneous charging, and risks to voltage stability [1].”
From Improving distribution system flexibility using electric vehicles under the distributed energy resource management system framework (2026) · cites this paper as [1]
The introduction says EVs will create new demand patterns and that high penetration could increase coincident demand and exceed current and voltage limits. The Results sections on thermal loading and voltage levels substantiate overload and voltage-limit risks under the modeled conditions. The paper does not establish increased load volatility or a surge in EV penetration that has already occurred; it assesses potential effects. (LLM, conf=0.84)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredBalanced three-phase approaches often omit voltage unbalances that occur between power lines in real-world systems, resulting in lack of representativeness.
“These approaches often omit the voltage unbalances which occur between the power lines in real-world systems resulting in lack of representativeness.”
From Optimized Integration of Electric Vehicles in Low Voltage Distribution Grids (2019) · cites this paper as [10]
Section B, “Impact on Single-Phase Voltage Levels” (page unavailable), says phase voltages can differ substantially and that monitoring only at the three-phase supply level can miss a household-level voltage limit. This supports the concern about overlooking real phase unbalance, but the paper does not establish that balanced three-phase approaches often omit it or generally lack representativeness. (LLM, conf=0.84)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredHigh levels of coincident EV charging can cause voltages to drop beyond acceptable limits during times of high residential demand.
“The impact on voltage levels from high penetrations of EVs is also investigated in [11] and shows how high levels of coincident charging can cause voltages to drop beyond acceptable limits during times of high residential demand.”
From Optimal Charging of Electric Vehicles in Low-Voltage Distribution Systems (2012) · cites this paper as [11]
The assumption of linearity for both the voltage and thermal loading sensitivity characteristics is adequate.
“Analysis of the load flow results shows that the assumption of linearity for both the voltage and thermal loading sensitivity characteristics is adequate [11].”
From Optimal Charging of Electric Vehicles in Low-Voltage Distribution Systems (2012) · cites this paper as [11]
The Methodology section says the paper used load-flow calculations to examine voltage and thermal loading at different EV penetration levels. The Thermal Loading and Phase Interdependency sections report results, but do not assess whether linear sensitivity characteristics are adequate. Searches for linearity and sensitivity found no such assessment in our copy; its observation that some plotted characteristics are not smooth does not, by itself, settle whether a linear approximation is adequate. (LLM, conf=0.72)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
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References 16 · Cited by 196
Research works printed but not linked: 11
- R. Webster, "Can the electricity distribution network cope with an influx of electric vehicles?", Journal of Power Sources, Vol. 80, Issues 1-2, pp. 217-225, July 1999.
- A. Shortt and M. O'Malley, "Impact of optimal charging of electric vehicles on future generation portfolios", IEEE PES/IAS Sustainable Alternative Energy Conference, Valencia, Spain, September 2009.
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- S. Shao, M. Pipattanasomporn and S. Rahman, "Challenges of PHEV penetration to the residential distribution network", IEEE Power and Energy Society General Meeting 2009, Calgary, Canada, July 2009.
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- G. A. Putrus, P. Suwanapingkarl, D. Johnston, E. C. Bentley and M. Narayana, "Impact of electric vehicles on power distribution networks", IEEE Vehicle Power and Propulsion Conference, 2009. Dearborn, Michi- gan, USA, September 2009.
- P. Richardson and A. Keane, "Impact of high penetrations of micro- generation on low voltage distribution networks", CIRED 20th Interna- tional Conference on Electricity Distribution, 2009, Paper no. 0172, June 2009.
- W. H. Kersting, Distribution System Modeling and Analysis, CRC Press, London, 2002.
- RWE E-Mobility Projects Presentation. Sustainable Energy Ireland Electric Vehicles Conference, Dublin, Ireland. February 2009. Available: http:// www.sei.ie/ News Events/ Electric Vehicles Conference/
- Authors
- Richardson, P., Flynn, D., & Keane, A.
- Affiliations
- University College Dublin (IE)
- Venue
- IEEE PES General Meeting
- Publisher
- IEEE
- Published
- 2010-07
- Pages
- 1-6
- ISSN
- 1932-5517 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2098738097
- Cited by
- 196
- References
- 16
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 19 · 2014: 23 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 17
- FWCI
- 18.30
- Type
- conference paper
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- hdl.handle.net
- Licence
- cc-by-nc-sa
- Locations
- IEEE Power Engineering Society General Meeting (publishedVersion)
- Research Repository UCD (University College Dublin) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
- Arrow@dit (Dublin Institute of Technology) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- University College Cork
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › Electric Vehicles and Infrastructure
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › Optimal Power Flow Distribution
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › Smart Grid Energy Management
- Keywords
- electric vehicles, uncontrolled charging, low-voltage distribution networks, voltage constraints, residential electricity demand, worst-case scenario, power system impact
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