Optimal energy management of smart grids with plug-in hybrid electric vehicles

In this paper, smart grids based on Renewable Energy Sources are addressed. An Italian case study which has been developed in the frame of the research project i-NEXT (Innovation for green Energy and eXchange in Transportation) is presented. Storage elements are included. Electric and fuel cell powered vehicles´ charging stations are here included as local loads. In this paper, power management algorithms and the control logic are described. The control subsystem aims at an efficient management of the involved renewable energy sources avoiding faults in the power system and ensuring a fully functional supply of local loads. A “Service Center” software collecting data from renewable sources, developing the control strategy and applying the strategy to each renewable source is implemented. The Italian case study and the control algorithms are described and discussed. This paper aims at promoting a suitable solution for the power management of RES-based smart grids.