Optimal operation of renewable-powered EV charging stations

This master’s thesis focuses on the development and evaluation of smart charging strategies for electric vehicles (EVs) in workplace settings. The objective is to optimize the charging process and support the integration of EVs into the energy system. The thesis begins by analyzing real-world EV charging data from workplace charging stations, which provides insights into charging patterns and user behavior. These patterns are then used to design and test various smart charging strategies that utilize renewable resources and minimize costs. The simulations and evaluations are conducted in a specific reference location, a school on the island of Bornholm, Denmark, which has an existing photovoltaic installation. The charging strategies are divided into unidirectional models that incorporate two charging sources, a photovoltaic installation and the power grid, and a bi-directional smart charging model that also enables direct charging between EVs. The results of the simulations reveal several important findings. Workplace charging stations experience high charging activity in the early morning hours, followed by a more consistent pattern throughout the day. The most common charging power level is found to be 3.7 kW, and idle times of 4-8 hours are prevalent, indicating opportunities for the implementation of smart charging strategies. The performance of the charging strategies is evaluated under different scenarios, considering factors such as the price profile of the day-ahead market and the availability of renewable resources. The simulations demonstrate that no single strategy is optimal for all situations. The bidirectional vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) strategy becomes attractive in scenarios with strong cannibalization of renewable energies, allowing for energy transfer between vehicles during expensive hours. Strategy 3, which effectively utilizes abundant solar resources and prioritizes charging based on vehicle urgency irrespective of power prices, demonstrates exc