Grid impact of charging electric vehicles

Electric vehicles (EV) are one element of the future transition towards a clean and sustainable energy system, since they can be powered by electricity generated by wind, photovoltaics (PV) and other renewable energy sources. With their ability of decentralized storage of electricity they can even contribute to solving the challenge of leveling out fluctuating generation by shifting demand or re-feeding electricity into the grid. For grid operators it is necessary to understand the grid impact of the new dynamic energy flows between EV, grid and renewables, and to contrive smart and cost-effective measures counteracting such problems. A research team in the European project NEMO developed a tool suite able to simulate the grid impact of EV charging stations and other emerging consumers like electric heat pumps, and help to tailor technical solutions to different application study cases.