Dual use of Electric Vehicle infrastructure for Enhancing Grid Resilience and Urban Sustainability

The rapid global adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) has led to a surge in the deployment of EV charging stations. Beyond their primary role of vehicle charging, these stations hold potential as dynamic, grid-connected assets for sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11). When integrated with renewable energy sources such as wind or solar, EV charging stations can function as decentralized power units, supplying energy to the grid during times of need. This dual functionality allows them to act as flexible loads that mitigate voltage fluctuations during grid faults, facilitating access to reliable energy (SDG 7). Utilizing existing EV infrastructure in this way reduces the need for additional grid-support devices and supports resource efficiency (SDG 13) promoting a low-carbon energy transition. However, their ability to support the grid is limited when fully committed to meeting charging demands, especially during grid faults. To address this challenge, a novel coordinated operation between an EV charger and a Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR) is proposed. This hybrid approach allows both devices to work in tandem, effectively providing voltage compensation and enhancing grid resilience and sustainable urban infrastructure.