Impact of Plug-in vehicles on the electric
power grid: A DTE Energy case study

Haukur Asgeirsson, P.E.

Manager, Detroit Edison – Power Systems Technologies
Detroit Edison – DTE Energy
313-235-9371
asgeirssonh@dteenergy.com

ABSTRACT: The impact on the electric grid due to charging of plug-in electric vehicle can vary greatly based on loading and local electric distribution grid configuration. This presentations reviews case studies performed on DTE Energy electric distribution circuits for both residential and commercial charging of plug-in vehicles and makes recommendations on control strategy to minimize the effect on the electric infrastructure.

Bio: Haukur (Hawk) Asgeirsson is the Manager of Power Systems Technologies at Detroit Edison. In his current position, he is responsible for employing Distributed Resources into the T&D planning and operating process and since 2002, he has installed 20 distributed generation projects to support the distribution system at Detroit Edison totaling nearly 20 MW. The Power System Technology group also manages all interconnections and is a champion of smart grid technology solutions at Detroit Edison.

Hawk was also responsible for the DOE DER Aggregation, Communication, Control, and Sale into the MISO Market using DEW, PI, and utility-aggregator business model for DTE Energy. In this project, a real time distribution modeling system has been created which integrates real time distribution circuit information, real time DG information and makes real time DG operating recommendations including offering aggregated DG for sale to the Independent System Operator.

Hawk is a member of GridApp, a consortium of utilities whose mission is to transition best technologies and best practices into broader use by member utilities. He is also an Advisor on the EPRI Distributed Generation & Energy Storage program and the EPRI Electric Transportation program. Hawk was also responsible for the EPRI “Best Practices Guide Book for Integration of DER into the Utility System Planning” and “Using Aggregated Distributed Energy resources for Economic Dispatch to an Independent System Operator”.

Mr. Asgeirsson is also involved in a DOE funded PHEV project tilted “Technical Challenges of Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles and Impacts to the U.S. Power System” This is a research collaboration between the University of Michigan and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory with DTE Energy, Ford and GM as industry advisors.