Impact-analysis of the charging of plug-in hybrid vehicles on the production park in Belgium

Internal combustion engines (ICE) are combined with electric motors and batteries in both hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) to improve efficiency and achieve a limited all electric range. This paper determines the electrical power required for charging a fleet of PHEVs in Belgium. A stochastic model based on the driving behavior of Western European drivers, determines the availability of the PHEVs for grid charging. Three scenarios are defined to generate charging profiles based on the driving profiles. The first two scenarios, defined as uncoordinated charging, are based on a continuation of the current tariff schemes available to residential users, i.e. a single electricity tariff or a double electricity tariff including a day and night tariff. In the third scenario, coordinated charging is proposed. When coordinated charging is applied, the time of charging is shifted to a more appropriate moment of the night where total electrical load is minimal. The charging energy when coordinated charging is applied for each PHEV is defined to be equal to that of the single tariff scenario. The extra load caused by charging PHEVs is added to the residential and industrial electricity consumption of Belgium in 2008. Based on this data, a year load duration diagram can be determined to quantify demand for both power and energy in base load, variable load and peak load. Uncoordinated charging for residential users will cause difficulties for the electricity production system because peak load will rise substantially while base load stays the same. Coordinated charging is essential to minimize the impact on the electricity production system and could be implemented using smart meter technology.