Impacts of feeder failure statistics on EV-supported distribution system reliability improvement

Abstract

Electric vehicle parking lots (EVPLs) create new alternatives for planning and operation of distribution systems with its aggregated EV potential and charging/discharging coordination. On the other hand, distributed storage support of EVPLs changes the distribution system topology because of bidirectional power flows. Therefore, distribution system reliability improvement through highly penetrated distributed energy resources (DERs) has got the attraction of power system operators. However, this improvement so does the operation philosophy of EVPL storage capacity are strongly correlated with the feeder failure statistics. The objective of this study is therefore devoted to the sensitivity of EV supported distribution system reliability improvement on the failure rate of feeder components, such as transformers, busbars and cables. Several case studies regarding the supporting status of EVPL are generated to quantify the impacts of the failure rate of these elements on distribution system reliability. The results will guide the utilities on how they can optimize the benefits of EVPL support in terms of system reliability. © 2019 IEEE.