Design and Optimization of Microgrid as EV Charging Source

Although the electric power grid is considered, an engineering marvel and engineers are stretching its patchwork nature to its capacity. As the focus is shifting toward the smart grid, the existing utility power grid must automate and manage the increasing complexity and needs of energy in real time. In such state of affairs, the renewable energy sources (RESs)-based smart microgrids energy management system (EMS) including smart charging and discharging of electric vehicles (EVs) is becoming the most viable paradigm. A smart microgrid is a cost-effective method to give a sustainable, secure, and competitive future by shifting the energy generation from a centralized to a distributed one. In this work, the EMS of solar-based microgrid within the interconnected system, their design, optimization, and implementation is presented. The plant can partially supply the EVs in a charging station facility and give additional power to the institution load and energy storage system (ESS). The manuscript describes EVs and RESs as two most sustainable developing technologies for smart microgrid projects. The optimal flow of energy from the solar PV/grid (or both) to an EV charging, ESS and load is developed and simulation studies have been performed in Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Renewables (HOMER) software. Hence a smarter way of charging and discharging proposes the energy management in EVs by operating it in a microgrid hub.