Demand Response Systems: Balancing Grid Load Through Intelligent EV Charging
For electric vehicles (EVs), optimizing the charging pattern requires real-time electrical load modification. More economical and efficient charging can be accomplished by dynamically modifying charging rates according to current grid conditions, such as demand and renewable energy availability. This dynamic pricing structure encourages charging at times of reduced demand or higher supply of renewable energy, which helps EV owners minimize CO2 emissions and save operating expenses.
For service providers to avoid fines for overloading the grid during periods of high demand, load control and balancing are crucial. Charging service providers may acquire and store power from the grid during off-peak hours thanks to the ecosystem that balances EV charging.
It's important to note that intelligent load-balancing features are now absent from EV chargers made in India. Throughout the last year, attempts have been made to determine the best charger technology and procurement tactics in recognition of this constraint. Although these advancements are encouraging, it can take some time for the outcomes to materialize and be included into the infrastructure for charging. However, the development in this field is a step in the right direction for improving the efficacy and efficiency of EV charging infrastructure in India.
Uses of Demand response programmes for electric vehicles (EVs)
Energy Supply and Demand Balancing
Demand response programmes assist in more effectively managing energy demand by modifying EV charging rates in response to grid circumstances. These initiatives can encourage EV owners to postpone or cut back on charging during times of high demand or grid stress, such as peak hours, thus reducing burden on the electrical system. On the other hand, charging prices can be changed to promote greater charging during times of low demand, so balancing the supply and demand of energy.
Demand Response Programmes
These programmes can also help make it easier to integrate renewable energy sources—like wind and solar power—into the electrical system. These programmes aid in optimizing the use of clean energy resources by timing EV charging during times when renewable energy output is highest, such as during sunny or windy days. This promotes the switch to a more ecologically friendly and sustainable energy system while also lowering dependency on fossil fuels.
Management of demand-side
The planning, execution, and oversight of distribution network utility operations aimed at influencing consumer energy consumption in a manner that would result in the intended modifications in the load shape constitute demand side management (Pang et al., 2012). According to Haney et al. (2010), DSM involves four main strategies: Demand Response (DR), Time of Use (ToU), Energy Efficiency (EE), and Spinning Reserve. There are several ways to interconnect DSM deployments. Based primarily on the DR programme agents' altered behavior, they may be divided into two groups. These programmes may be price-based or incentive-based. Price-based DR's primary characteristic is that customers respond to signals from the electric tariff, whereas incentive-based programmes provide incentives based on factors other than price.
Rewards-based DR
The incentive-based DR programmes fall into three primary categories according on the type of programme they are:
Load control directly (DLC)
typically have an aggregating organization acting as a third-party manager, directly in charge of the functioning and timing of appliances owned by specific customers. Incentives based on market energy demand are used to reward consumer operational flexibility.
Adjustable load (AL)
Demand adjustments are requested by the utility provider, although appliance consumption patterns are at the consumer's discretion. Incentives or payments are given to the participating customers in exchange for their compliance with the demands; if they don't, they may be subject to fines.
Demand-side bidding (DSB)
In a specialized electricity market, this programme entails consumer-centric bidding on load shaving. The market entities will have to modify their loads if their offer price is accepted.
Cost-based DR
Through time-varying tariffs, price-based demand response (DR) modifies customer consumption patterns depending on load periods and utility-level supply demand.
Tariff for time-of-use (ToU)
This market-driven strategy divides the whole day into several time slots with different electricity rates. These time frames and the applicable tariff are often set for a longer length of time.
Critical peak pricing (CPP)
This pricing plan is often used during a few yearly peak consumption times as an adjunct to either a flat pricing strategy or a ToU tariff.
Real-time pricing (RTP)
This pricing method uses spot pricing to reflect changes in an hourly variable price signal. In the power market, notifications are sent to consumers either a day or an hour in advance.
Specific information must be compiled in order to properly apply DSM-EV approach
• Tariff charging and discharging
• Time of charging and discharging
• Managing parking lots
• The EVs' travel distance
• The use of auxiliary power when driving an EV normally
• Real net generation and consumption (dependent on the quantity of EVs, the battery energy storage system (BESS) of an EV, and the owner's permission to participate)
EV-DSM and V2G's potential for ancillary services
With regard to driving cycles, customer acceptability, desire to participate, and system preparedness in terms of technical, commercial, and regulatory procedures, the availability of EVs optimizes the potential of V2G (Sarabi et al., 2016). It has been discovered that the implementation of DSM ideas in conjunction with V2G has decreased the need for energy supply from natural gas and coal sources by around 2.8% and 8.8%, respectively. Together with these benefits for the generating side, customers may help minimize the cost of power generation by adopting DSM, which would increase income for the power utility firm by around 3.65% by lowering peak power requirements and generation.
The electrical grid in India is run by an advanced algorithm that is intended to balance the power coming from different fuel sources. This intricacy emphasizes how much evolution is required throughout the EV charging ecosystem. India's grid management has a number of challenges, including a variety of fuel sources and fluctuating demand according to the time of day, weather, and kind of day. Adding more variables might make grid balancing tasks much more difficult.
Like other electrical equipment, Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) has to be connected to the electric grid and follow the energy grid code in order to charge the battery. Similar to Europe, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has established international standards for voltage (230V) and frequency (50Hz) that are met by the electricity system in India.
India's electric car owners are depending more and more on their homes and workplaces for their essential charging needs. But it's crucial that the charging stations in these places be designed with safe charging procedures in mind. This means using top-notch machinery, putting in place suitable metering systems, and applying suitable power load control techniques. For the EV charging infrastructure in India to be safe and dependable, it is imperative that these requirements are fulfilled.
Logistical issues arise while developing private charging facilities in India, especially in private areas meant for captive use or semi-public locations such as offices, commercial buildings, institutions, and private assets with restricted public access. This is consistent with the goals of the EV policy in India, which aims to improve the availability of charging infrastructure.
A smart controlled EV charging station that can concurrently charge five electric cars was constructed successfully as part of a pilot project conducted by BSES, which represents a significant step towards this aim. This station is well situated in the 11 kV Substation building of BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL) in the Mayur Vihar Extension Phase I.
The ability of these charging stations to work with Demand Response (DR) systems is what makes them unique. Smart controlled charging stations that are DR-compatible can be easily integrated with BYPL's SCADA system, in contrast to traditional EV charging stations. By acting as the distribution company's (discom) state-of-the-art nerve center, this SCADA system allows for remote administration and oversight of charging activities.
These smart controlled charging stations provide improved efficiency, flexibility, and grid response by utilizing DR technology. They can optimize energy use, support grid stability, and dynamically modify charging rates based on grid circumstances. This creative solution solves logistical issues and advances sustainability and energy management goals, marking a major advancement in the development of EV charging infrastructure in India.
