Using Ant Colony Optimization to determine influx of EVs and Charging Station capacities

This paper presents a novel method for determining plug-in Elecric Vehicle (EV) traffic and associated recharging needs based on an ACO (Ant Colony Optimization) method. The method is used to analyze traffic patterns and to determine their impact on the local grid and the design of charging stations. The research reported here also supports the design of a portfolio of Charging Stations (CSs) across a limited geographical area and use this to determine the required capacities of each station. An empirical basis for the research presented has been gathered from Norway where the number of EVs are growing fast and where use of EVs for different purposes, including long-range driving, are becoming very pronounced. The research presented also shows how demand for charging at different times can be determined. This lays the foundation for estimating peak loads in the local grid due to EV charging. For the individual driver the system presented can be used to find preferred routing under different circumstances such as traffic congestion.