Research: V2G Response to a Frequency Contingency in a National Grid – Successes and Shortcomings

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Abstract

Vehicle-to-grid technology enables electric vehicles to contribute their large batteries and high (dis)charging powers to power systems reserves. Here we report the first demonstration of a fleet of vehicles discharging to support system security after a frequency contingency in a national grid. Our results highlight the potential of vehicle-to-grid, with vehicles discharging within 6 seconds of the contingency event, and shortcomings, with vehicles recommencing charging before the power system had fully recovered.

This paper reports on the response of 16 V2G EVs to a contingency that occurred in the Australian national grid on the 13th of February 2024 which caused 90,000 customers in Melbourne to lose electricity supply. The results demonstrate the success of V2G in providing a high quantity of high-speed, high-quality frequency response services to the power system, and doing so from assets (EVs and chargers) that were otherwise idle (or making the power supply-demand balance worse by charging). However, the data also reveal shortcomings of the current V2G implementation (and the market driven approach to frequency control that they are designed to).

Read full paper here. (still under peer review)

Authors:
Bjorn C. P. Sturmberg, Australian National University
Kathryn Lucas-Healey, Australian National University
Laura Jones, Australian National University
Lahiru Hapuarachchi, ActewAGL
Justus van Biljon, JetCharge

Source: Research Square

This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License

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