Quantifying V2G Response Capabilities Considering MV-LV Distribution Network Constraints

Thanks to the development of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, light-duty electric vehicles (EVs) could play a key role in providing system services. However, the aggregated V2G exports might also violate the distribution network thermal and/or voltage constraints. Therefore, distribution companies might establish dynamic limits that EVs/aggregators must follow, thus affecting overall V2G exports. To investigate the achievable V2G response capabmties, this paper proposes a method to create realistic V2G availability profiles and combines it with a heuristic approach to calculate the dynamic export limits per EV. It also explores the benefits of on-load tap changers given the potential voltage issues. The uncertainties of household demand and EV availability/location are considered in a Monte-Carlo based assessment. The results, using a real Australian MV-LV network, show that V2G exports need to be limited to ensure distribution network integrity, and that causes a response capability to be significantly affected during the low-demand period.