A full study of a PHEV charging facility based on global optimization and real-time simulation

This paper provides insight into two important issues arising in scenarios with high level of penetration of photovoltaic (PVs) based Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles (PHEVs) charging stations. Namely, the paper proposes a method to determine the optimal size of the local energy storage (LES) for a charging facility and also develops the control strategy for the proper integration of these LES and PVs with the PHEV charging stations. The proposed LES sizing method, which is based on optimal control theory, minimizes a cost function based on the average value of kWh price, irradiance and PHEVs usage patterns. A power-loss/temperature model and a temperature based charging strategy, previously developed by the authors, are utilized in determine the optimized LES sizing. Then, with the optimized facility parameters, a detailed circuit model of a charging facility is built. Control strategies of the power electronics networks in this charging facility is proposed and tested with real time simulations.