Current harmonic modeling of aggregated electric vehicle loads in the low voltage grid

Abstract: The proliferation of Electric Vehicles (EVs) poses new challenges for the Distribution System Operator (DSO). For example, the rectifiers that are used for charging EV batteries could significantly influence Power Quality (PQ), in terms of harmonic distortion. The emissions from individual EV, are well regulated by current harmonic emission standards. But what the aggregation of multiple EV loads will look like is still uncertain and the research being made in this area is still in its early stage. The DSO responsibilities include ensuring grid code compliance confirmed by PQ metering.  In general, 10 minute RMS values are sufficient. However, the large scale integration of non-linear loads, like EVs, could lead to new dynamic phenomena, possibly lost in the process of time aggregation.In this thesis PQ and, in more detail, the concept of harmonics, and how this is related to EVs, is presented. A current-harmonic load model using power exponential functions and built from actual measurement data during the individual charging of four different fully electric vehicles was constructed. The model was based on individual emitted current harmonics as a function of state of charge (SOC), and was used to deterministically simulate the simultaneous charging of six vehicles fed from the same bus. The aggregation of current harmonics up to the 11th was simulated while randomizing battery SOC, the start of charging, and the kind of vehicle. Additionally, an investigation of the impact on aggregation in time was conducted.The analysis clearly shows the importance of phase angle information, its correlation to SOC, and how the aggregation of EV loads is influenced by these factors. The analysis also shows that 10 minute RMS aggregation could lead to significant deviations from the “actual” (200ms) data.  This indicates that 10 minute value monitoring could lead to information losses.