Optimal Placement and Sizing of Fast Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles in UAE

Electric vehicles have gained wide recognition in the world market due to its indispensable role in mending the earth towards a sustainable low-carbon future. Stakeholders across the globe have fostered policies to promote electric vehicle (EV) to cease the greenhouse gas emissions from traditional ICE vehicles. Installation of publicly accessible charging infrastructure, namely fast-charging stations (FCS) are crucial for the large-scale deployment of EVs. However, random positioning of charging stations (CS) may negatively impact the layout of the city traffic network, the satisfaction of EV users’ and charging station operation. Moreover, it also affects the distribution network in terms of increased peak power consumption, increase of power loss and voltage instability due to erratic charging demand and travel behavior of EV users.

In view of the above, this research developed an optimal planning model for the FCSs considering the benefit of EV users, efficiency of CS and the performance of distribution network together in one stretch. Primarily, an improved way to calculate users travel cost was introduced using Google Maps navigation software. Besides, a queuing algorithm was suggested to determine the charging station sizing that benefit both EV users and improve CS efficiency pertaining to minimum waiting time and maximum charging station utilization.

The proposed planning method provided better solution as compared to other traditional methods. All in all, this project will be beneficial for EV users, charging station developers and distribution network operators in designing the optimal fast charging station model without stressing power grid and increasing charge anxiety among EV users.

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