Power system performance with EV integration

Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology is not yet a standard feature of modern power systems, but its potential to support the energy transition is significant. Bidirectional chargers allow parked electric vehicles to feed electricity back into the grid, turning them from passive loads into distributed storage units. While V2G alone cannot solve all the challenges caused by high renewable penetration, it can certainly help: by absorbing midday photovoltaic surplus, discharging during the evening ramp, improving voltage margins, and reducing the need for fossil-fuel generation. Savings from reduced use of peaking plants can then be redirected to further clean energy investments and infrastructure upgrades.

Building a realistic model

To explore this, I had the opportunity to delve into the world of V2G, supported by my company, Go2Power Consulting. Using the PLEXOS platform for advanced energy modeling, I created a 35 kV distribution feeder that included households, rooftop solar, and an EV charging station with a pool of electric vehicles.

Preparing the data

Since optimization relies on quality input data, a significant part of the effort went into data preparation. I gathered hour-by-hour charging logs from open databases and, after meticulous cleaning, clustered thousands of individual traces into a small number of representative patterns that reflect real-world driving and charging behavior.

Simulating impact with PLEXOS

In the next phase, I combined these behavioral profiles with solar resource data and configured PLEXOS with the appropriate constraints and objectives. This allowed me to optimize the EV charging and discharging schedule and evaluate both technical and economic performance across two simulation windows: a full year and a single representative day.

Key insights and benefits

The results were promising. With V2G enabled, EVs absorbed solar surplus during the day and fed power back in the evening, reducing voltage fluctuations and import needs. During winter, when demand is high and solar output is low, discharging EV batteries helped support voltage levels. In summer, midday overvoltage was reduced. Overall, the system experienced a flatter voltage curve and reduced reliance on upstream electricity purchases. Additionally, battery discharge helped replace expensive peaking units, reducing variable production costs. While average prices rose slightly due to recharging at low-demand times, peak-hour prices dropped—offering savings for consumers and increased efficiency for the system operator.

Challenges and next steps

Of course, challenges remain. Frequent battery cycling can accelerate degradation, and V2G still requires further development—from understanding user behavior to creating regulatory frameworks and infrastructure for large-scale deployment.

A rewarding experience

This project was more than just research-it was true hands-on training. Daily scripting sharpened my data handling skills, and exploring multiple scenarios in PLEXOS deepened my understanding of optimization workflows. I had the pleasure of receiving the “Tesla Award for Youth Creativity” for this work, presented by the Nikola Tesla Foundation in Belgrade and the Business Association “Elektromasinogradnja.”  This award was the perfect finishing touch and a meaningful reminder that dedication truly pays off.