The Effect of Harmonics on the Electrical Grid due to Electric Vehicle Chargers

Abstract: In this thesis the effect of harmonics on the electrical grid from electric car chargers, specifically the effect on distribution transformers, is analyzed. The study was performed on the electrical grid of two areas provided by the electrical company Dala Energi. Electric car chargers are added to each customer connected to the electrical grid in both areas to examine the effects of harmonics on the distribution transformers. A model of the electrical grid of each area was recreated and simulated with the open source program OpenDSS. The effects of the added harmonic load on the electrical grid was evaluated in a range from 10% to a 100% of the consumers connected to the grid.  The results of this study show an increase in losses due to harmonic distortion. However, the losses are less significant when the added electric car charger load is distributed between all three phases of the grid compared to one phase. All the added harmonics, except the 9th harmonic, maintain acceptable levels set by The Swedish Energy Market Inspectorate. The impact of the 9th harmonic can be reduced by installing filters. The main conclusion of this thesis is that to reduce the effects of harmonic on the grid the harmonic load should be distributed on all three phases. Also scheduling the charging time of the cars can be implemented to further even out the load variations on the electrical grid.