Managing the impact of the electrified transportation sector on the electric grid

目前，加拿大运输部门严重依赖石油，与其他部门相比，它占二氧化碳排放总量的近30%（即，工业、住宅和商业）。对全球变暖和天然气价格上涨的担忧是运输部门采用电气化的驱动力，涉及三种模式：1）陆基车辆，2）飞机和3）海船。尽管这种电气化具有许多环境和经济效益，但将该部门与现有高度紧张的电网基础设施整合的不利影响需要更好地管理配电网资源，以避免停电，电力质量差（PQ）和资产故障。到目前为止，很少有研究集中在管理现有的配电系统资源（DSRs）考虑电气化运输部门（ETS）的整合操作。因此，本提案旨在进行一系列调查，以评估插电式混合动力电动汽车（PHEV）运行对配电网的影响;特别是不期望的电压变化和不平衡，低阶和宽带谐波。将检查PHEV的动态操作模型，并使用先进的时频信号处理工具（如第二代小波）来分析可能的PQ干扰。此外，这项研究将开发新的计算智能算法，以优化DSR的运行，特别是电容器，负载抽头变换变压器，滤波器和创新的灵活分布式发电，以减轻将PHEV集成到配电网中的影响。这些调查将在使用现有电网基础设施的同时提高电网可靠性/PQ。此外，将插电式混合动力汽车纳入电网的成功管理将为整合其他ETS模式、减少碳足迹和更好地利用电网基础设施的平稳过渡铺平道路。拟议的研究计划将为研究生提供特殊的机会，弥合智能电网相关领域的理论与实践之间的差距，从而解决训练有素的毕业生和专业知识在这一领域的短缺。

Currently the Canadian transportation sector is relying heavily on oil and it accounts for almost 30% of the total carbon dioxide emissions compared to other sectors (i.e., industrial, residential and commercial). The concerns regarding global warming and rising gas prices are drivers for adopting electrification of the transportation sector which involves three modes: 1) land-based vehicles, 2) aircraft and 3) sea-going vessels. Despite many environmental and economic benefits of such electrification, the adverse impacts of integrating this sector with existing highly stressed electric grid infrastructure needs better management of the distribution grid resources to avoid outages, poor power quality (PQ) and asset failure. To date, little research has focused on managing the operation of existing distribution system resources (DSRs) considering the integration of the electrified transportation sector (ETS). Hence, this proposal aims to conduct a series of investigations to assess the impact on the electric distribution grid resulting from the operation of Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs); in particular, undesirable voltage variations and unbalances, low order and broadband harmonics. Dynamic operational models of PHEVs will be examined and advanced time-frequency signal processing tools such as second generation wavelets will be used to analyze possible PQ disturbances. Also, this research will develop new computationally intelligent algorithms to optimize the operation of DSRs, particularly capacitors, load-tap changing transformers, filters and innovative flexible distributed generation to mitigate the impacts of integrating PHEVs into the distribution grid. These investigations will lead to improved grid reliability/PQ while using existing grid infrastructure. Moreover, successful management of integrating PHEVs into the electric gird will pave the way towards smooth transition in integrating the other modes of ETS, reducing the carbon footprint and better utilize the electric grid infrastructure. The proposed research program will provide exceptional opportunities for graduate students to bridge the gaps between theory and practice in smart grid-related areas, hence addressing the shortage in trained graduates and expertise in this field.