In the rapidly evolving energy landscape, the integration of renewable energy sources and electric vehicles (EVs) into distribution networks has become a double-edged sword. While these technologies promise a greener future, they also present significant challenges, particularly in maintaining power quality and stability. Traditional AC distribution networks, with their limited flexibility, often struggle to accommodate the stochastic and volatile nature of renewable energy sources like distributed photovoltaics (DPVs) and the substantial charging demands of EVs. This is where the innovative work of Yang Liu, a researcher at the State Grid Shandong Electric Power Research Institute in Jinan, China, comes into play.
Liu’s recent study, published in the journal Energies, proposes a groundbreaking approach to enhance the absorption capacity of new energy sources and loads in distribution networks. The key lies in transforming conventional AC distribution networks into AC-DC hybrid networks using flexible interconnection devices like Voltage Source Converters (VSCs). These VSCs can significantly improve the network’s flexibility, mitigating power quality issues that arise from the integration of renewable energy and new loads.
But Liu doesn’t stop at VSCs. He introduces electric buses (EBs) as mobile energy storage solutions, leveraging their substantial capacity, mobility, and centralized management. “Electric buses, with their large capacities and high mobility, can participate in the dispatching of the distribution network without interfering with their primary public transport duties,” Liu explains. This dual functionality not only enhances the network’s flexibility in power regulation but also opens up new commercial opportunities for the energy sector.
The research develops a multi-layer stochastic Time–Space Network (TSN) model for bus dispatching, considering the unique mobility characteristics of electric buses. This model is then integrated with an optimization framework that coordinates the charging and discharging power between VSCs and EBs. The goal? To minimize network losses in the distribution system. “By coordinating the power control of VSCs and the orderly charging and discharging of electric buses, we can solve high and low voltage problems in substation areas,” Liu states. This approach not only reduces substation losses but also improves the stability and economy of the distribution network operation.
The implications of this research are far-reaching. For energy companies, it offers a pathway to more efficiently integrate renewable energy sources and EVs into existing infrastructure, reducing operational costs and enhancing grid stability. For electric bus operators, it presents an opportunity to monetize their vehicles’ energy storage capabilities during off-peak hours, creating a new revenue stream. And for consumers, it promises a more reliable and sustainable energy supply.
Liu’s work, published in Energies, represents a significant step forward in the field of energy distribution. By leveraging the unique capabilities of electric buses and VSCs, Liu’s approach could revolutionize how we manage and optimize distribution networks. As the energy sector continues to evolve, this research provides a blueprint for a more flexible, efficient, and sustainable future.
