Impact of multi-leg fast-charging infrastructure on distribution network performance and optimization efficiency across operational scenarios

This work investigates the use of multi-leg smart-charging infrastructures for electric vehicles to enhance flexibility in medium-voltage distribution networks. The system relies on a controlled direct current (DC) link with bidirectional multi-socket DC/DC converters, allowing multiple electric vehicles to connect to the same converter and enabling Vehicle-to-Grid operation. Power flows at each point of delivery are actively regulated, providing charging services while supporting the network in terms of voltage quality, congestion mitigation, and loss reduction. The study focuses on how the configuration of the charging infrastructure and the participation of vehicles affect the solvability of a network-constrained optimization problem, as well as the system’s ability to mitigate voltage deviations, manage network congestion, and reduce losses. The results highlight the potential of fast-charging stations as flexible assets for distribution networks, showing how their design influences both network performance and the computational tractability of the optimization problem.