Open-source simulation framework for assessing the combined impact of electric vehicle charging and distributed renewable generation on low-voltage distribution networks: A case study in Cuenca, Ecuador
Open accessAbstract
The rapid expansion of electric mobility and distributed renewable generation presents new operational challenges for low-voltage (LV) distribution networks, including increased evening peak demand, higher transformer utilization, and phase unbalance, particularly in emerging regions where options for reinforcement are constrained. This paper describes an open-source Python–OpenDSS framework that combines measured slow-charging profiles with Monte Carlo sampling of electric vehicle (EV) location, vehicle model, initial state of charge, and charging start time, with optional single-phase photovoltaic (PV) sized to offset annual customer demand. Each scenario is evaluated with 100 iterations, and 10-minute time-series power-flow simulations over a one-day (24 h) horizon are summarized using ensemble statistics (e.g., mean and selected percentiles). The framework is applied to a real 50 kVA urban LV feeder in Cuenca, Ecuador (62 residential customers), whose model was built from the utility GIS database and corroborated through an on-site inspection, under EV penetration levels of 5%, 10%, and 15% with EV-only and EV+PV configurations. For the range studied, steady-state voltages and voltage unbalance remain within typical LV compatibility limits, while transformer utilization increases from about 59% in the baseline to around 90% at 15% EV penetration. Co-located PV reduces the net daily energy exchanged with the upstream network but has limited impact on evening transformer peaks. A 7-day extension of the 15% EV scenario is included to illustrate multi-day studies using the same workflow.
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Research works printed but not linked: 2
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- Authors
- Banegas-Arias, D., Morejón-Monteros, P., Albornoz-Vintimilla, E., & Ochoa-Correa, D.
- Affiliations
- University of Cuenca (EC)
- Corresponding author
- Ochoa-Correa, Danny
- Venue
- Renewable Energies
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2026-01
- Volume
- 4
- Issue
- 1
- ISSN
- 2753-3735 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W7131780920
- Cited by
- 1
- References
- 17
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1
- FWCI
- 1.77
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Renewable Energies (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- 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 vehicle charging, distributed renewable energy, low-voltage distribution networks, transformer utilization, voltage unbalance, OpenDSS, EV penetration, Cuenca, Ecuador
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