Mitigating the impact of high power charging of electric buses: Perspective of European distribution grid operators

High power charging of electric buses (150-600 kW per charging point) during short breaks (typically 3-10 min) is popular in Europe (60% of the e-buses ordered in 2017). The European H2020 project ASSURED has highlighted the need for consolidated data on DSOs (Distribution System Operators) view of potential risks for the distribution grids broth by super fast charging. This article reviews first the landscape of DSOs in the European Union and the evolution in the electricity market with the recently approved directive on electricity market (EU 2019/944) that introduces many new incentives and requirements for demand response, for the DSO cooperation with bus operators and for grid planning taking into account the electric mobility projections, etc. The view of the DSOs, collected in a one-day workshop with grid operators and several DSO organizations from nine European countries, is presented. Congestion followed by the power quality were seen as the two main concerns. To reduce congestion, different strategies were proposed (changes of the charging strategy, grid upgrades, mitigation of power needs and improvement of predictability). The workshop was focused on DSO perspectives. This work will be integrated in the ASSURED project for aspects regarding the charging process and the impact of fast charging on the grid (low voltage and medium voltage). The view of other stakeholders such as bus operators and bus manufacturers and cities will also be taken into account in ASSURED