V2Sim: An Open-Source Microscopic V2G Simulation Platform in Urban Power and Transportation Network

TL;DR

V2Sim addresses the need to analyze EV charging loads and V2G interactions within tightly coupled urban power and transportation networks. It introduces a Python-based, open-source platform that couples a SUMO-based MUTN simulation with a DistFlow PDN optimizer, supporting dual CS types, customizable V2G strategies, and multiprocessing for large-scale studies. Key contributions include the SUMO-based MUTN/V2G framework, a DistFlow-based PDN optimizer with asynchronous coupling, and case studies on a 37-junction network and a real-world Nanjing scenario, yielding insights into fault propagation, pricing effects, and computational acceleration. The results show substantial parallelization gains and improved fidelity over traditional UE models, enabling researchers and planners to assess operational and planning needs for V2G-enabled urban systems.

Abstract

This paper proposes V2Sim, an open source Pythonbased simulation platform designed for advanced vehicle-to-grid (V2G) analysis in coupled urban power and transportation networks. By integrating a microscopic urban transportation network (MUTN) with a power distribution network (PDN), V2Sim enables precise modeling of electric vehicle charging loads (EVCL) and dynamic V2G operations. The platform uniquely combines SUMO for MUTN simulations and an optimized DistFlow model for PDN analysis, with dedicated models for fast charging stations (FCS) and slow charging stations (SCS), capturing detailed charging dynamics often overlooked in existing simulation tools. V2Sim supports a range of customizable V2G strategies, advanced fault-sensing in charging stations, and parallel simulation through multi-processing to accelerate large-scale case studies. Case studies using a real-world MUTN from Nanjing, China, demonstrate V2Sim's capability to analyze the spatial-temporal distribution of EVCL and evaluate V2G impacts, such as fault dissemination and pricing variations, in unprecedented detail. Unlike traditional equilibrium models, V2Sim captures single-vehicle behavior and charging interactions at the microscopic level, offering unparalleled accuracy in assessing the operational and planning needs of V2G-compatible systems. This platform serves as a comprehensive tool for researchers and urban planners aiming to optimize integrated power and transportation networks.

Figures (12)

• Figure 1: Main goals of V2Sim
• Figure 2: Structure of V2Sim Platform. Consists of two subsystems connected by a plugin module.
• Figure 3: Standard steps.
• Figure 4: 37-junction road network.
• Figure 5: Simulation results of a whole week with V2G.