Including EV load in power system planning

Planning for the grid and forecasting future demand as EV adoption accelerates must consider the extra load from EVs in both the short and long terms. The extra load from EVs would be calculated based on the number of EVs on the road as well as the potential for smart charging and V2G functionality to make the grid more flexible. The additional EV load will create two main challenges, grid congestion and component overloading, while the main opportunity is EVs’ ability to absorb power fluctuations and provide grid resiliency. The fact that EVs will be connected at many different charging locations on the grid adds extra complexity to planning efforts. Different scenarios of EV penetration and grid impacts can help plan future needs for generation capacity, transmission and distribution.

Planning and monitoring for flexible loads within power and charging systems will help mitigate congestion and defer grid upgrades, while identifying grid extension needs. Power system planning for flexible loads will also reduce the impacts of electric trucks and the large-scale charging hubs for long-distance travel in or around large urban centres.