Potential of plug-in electric vehicles for supporting regional power distribution system operation with high penetration of wind generation

With wider deployment of the plug-in electric vehicle (PEV), a power distribution network operator (DNO) would expect increasing domestic demand due to large numbers of vehicles charging. This could lead potentially to overloading of power system assets unless appropriate demand side management is in place. The UK coalition government has made a commitment to increase the amount of renewable generation capacity. To ensure 15% of energy demand is met from renewable sources by 2020, a massive amount of wind generation needs to be installed across the country. This paper presents the potential opportunities from using domestic owned electric vehicles to support the operation of regional power distribution networks in the context of a high penetration of wind generation.