Control of an Energy Storage System for Electric Vehicle Fast Charging: Impact of Configuration Choices and Demand Uncertainty

This paper presents a model predictive control approach for the control of a grid-connected service area equipped with an electric energy storage system, and with charging stations, delivering the fast charging service to plug-in electric vehicles. We consider two different possible configurations for this microgrid, implying different connection schemes among the storage, the charging stations, and the grid. The objective is to control the storage in order to lower and flatten the power profile at the point of connection of the service area with the grid, thus reducing the connection fees of the service area, and also the impact of charging on the grid. Simulation results are presented, to highlight the different performance of the two connection setups, with a focus on the uncertainty in the knowledge of the future charging demand.