Charging methods of electric vehicles and the effect of charging stations on distribution networks

Although electric vehicles have great potential to reduce dependency on fossil fuels, reduce carbon emissions and increase environmental sustainability, the intensive use of charging stations may create new problems in energy distribution networks. Especially in urban areas in big cities, increasing charging demand creates pressure on grid capacity and this pressure shows different dynamics than in rural areas. In this context, the effects of electric vehicle charging stations on distribution networks were evaluated regionally with different scenario analyses conducted in Çankaya, an urban area of Ankara, and Nallıhan, a rural area. In the study, the effects of charging stations in urban and rural areas such as grid loading, voltage drop, line loading and transformer capacity insufficiency were evaluated through simulations using the PSS/E program. The effects of slow and fast charging stations on the grid were compared within the scope of different charging scenarios and it was determined that fast charging stations caused problems such as voltage imbalance and overloading the grid. It was shown that sudden loads and voltage imbalances on the grid could occur especially in scenarios where fast charging stations are used intensively. If the location of charging stations, capacity planning and their impact on the grid are not optimized, serious problems may arise in distribution networks. The study also emphasizes the importance of integrating renewable energy sources, especially solar and wind energy, into the charging infrastructure. It is stated that this integration will greatly contribute to environmental sustainability by increasing energy efficiency. In addition, the integration of energy storage systems is presented as a great opportunity in terms of balancing the load on the grid and integrating renewable energy sources. The contributions of artificial intelligence technologies to real-time monitoring and management of the charging infrastructure are also emphasized in this thesis. Artificial intelligence can play an important role in ensuring grid stability by managing energy demand and supply. As a result, the integration of electric vehicles into distribution networks is a complex process that requires careful planning and management, and the findings of this study offer critical implications for the sustainability of future distribution networks.