Interruptibility in private electric vehicle charging: Case Finland

Abstract

Uncontrolled electric vehicle charging can increase peak loads and cause extra stress on the power system. By smartly controlling EV charging events, adversities caused by charging can be mitigated and charging loads can be utilized in different demand-side management schemes to support the power system on both local and grid levels. Electric vehicle charging events consist of the actual time spent charging and of idling, when the EV is connected to the EVSE but is not charging. This idling time can be utilized as an opportunity for load shifting or power reduction without compromising the charging outcome. This study analyses through simulation the interruptibility potential of Finnish private electric vehicle charging network. Based on the results roughly 70% of charging events can be interrupted for at least 10% of the time they are plugged-in to the EVSE.