A linear program for system level control of regional PHEV charging stations

This research studies dynamic control of a system of plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) charging stations. A finite horizon dynamic problem is presented. Based upon the 15-minute updated period of the electricity market price, the objective function is to maximize profit, which is the revenue benefit from selling back to the grid and the charging of the vehicles minus the cost of buying electricity from the grid. The state variables in each 15-minute time period consist of the total wind purchased from the system, solar power generation at each charging station, total demand at each station, and nodal market price at stations´ location. This mean value problem is formulated as a deterministic linear program and solved. Potential strategies are presented to provide insight into the behavior of the system.