Impact of Dynamic Operating Envelopes on Distribution Network Hosting Capacity for Electric Vehicles

TL;DR

This paper investigates how dynamic operating envelopes can increase the capacity of distribution networks to host electric vehicles while considering the impact on service quality, introducing a new framework for assessment.

Contribution

It proposes a network-aware hosting capacity framework that evaluates the effects of dynamic operating envelopes on distribution networks and EV charging quality.

Findings

Significant increase in EV hosting capacity with DOEs.

Framework effectively assesses QoS impacts.

Results vary across different charging energy scenarios.

Abstract

The examination of the maximum number of electric vehicles (EVs) that can be integrated into the distribution network (DN) without causing any operational incidents has become increasingly crucial as EV penetration rises. This issue can be addressed by utilizing dynamic operating envelopes (DOEs), which are generated based on the grid status. While DOEs improve the hosting capacity of the DN for EVs (EV-HC) by restricting the operational parameters of the network, they also alter the amount of energy needed for charging each EV, resulting in a decrease in the quality of service (QoS). This study proposes a network-aware hosting capacity framework for EVs (EV-NAHC) that i) aims to assess the effects of DOEs on active distribution networks, ii) introduces a novel definition for HC and calculates the EV-NAHC based on the aggregated QoS of all customers. A small-scale Belgian feeder is utilized to examine the proposed framework. The results show a substantial increase in the EV-NAHC with low, medium, and high-daily charging energy scenarios.