Date of Award
12-2014
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Legacy Department
Electrical Engineering
Committee Chair/Advisor
Dr. Elham Makram
Committee Member
Dr. Keith Corzine
Committee Member
Dr. Richard Groff
Committee Member
Dr. Pierluigi Pisu
Abstract
With the increasing attention and support behind plug in hybrid electric vehicles, research must be conducted to examine the impacts of vehicles on electric distribution and transmission systems. This research aims first to model the behavior of vehicle battery chargers during system disturbances and mitigate any impacts. A distribution test system example is modeled and several different vehicle charger topologies are added. Faults are applied to the distribution system with vehicle chargers connected and the results are examined. Based on these results, a control strategy to mitigate their negative impacts is suggested. Photovoltaic panels are then added to the system and the study is repeated. Several services that plug in hybrid electric vehicles are capable of providing to the electric system are presented in order to allow electric vehicles to be seen as an asset to electric systems rather than a burden. These services are particularly focused on an electric system such as might be found on a college campus, which in this case is represented by the Clemson University electric distribution system. The first service presented is dynamic phase balancing of a distribution system using vehicle charging. Distribution systems typically face problems with unbalance. At most large car parks, a three phase electric supply is expected even though current standardized chargers are single phase. By monitoring system unbalance and choosing which phase a vehicle is allowed to charge from, unbalance between phases is reduced in a distribution system. The second service presented is a decentralized vehicle to campus control algorithm based on time of use rates. Using time of use electricity prices, discharging vehicle batteries during high prices and recharging at low prices is explored. Battery degradation as well as limits placed by required vehicle range availability are included in the decision on whether to charge or discharge. Electric utilities will also benefit from a reduction of load at peak times if vehicles discharge back to the campus. A comparison with stationary battery energy storage is included.
Recommended Citation
Clarke, Andrew, "Steps Toward a Net-Zero Campus with Renewable Energy Resources" (2014). All Dissertations. 1416.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_dissertations/1416