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Electric cars

Transportation Electrification Accelerates with Electric Vehicles as Non-wires Alternatives

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The integration of electric vehicles (EVs) into transportation systems is accelerating the transition to electrified transportation, creating opportunities for EVs to serve as non-wires alternatives (NWAs) that reduce the need for conventional power system expansions. According to a new report, EVs can serve as NWAs by implementing virtual power lines (VPLs) that consider traffic conditions and power system constraints, reducing costs and ensuring stable power system operation amid growing renewable energy and demand. The proposed algorithm, validated in MATSim and MATLAB, shows that VPLs can reduce traffic congestion costs by 43.67%, increase hosting capacity by 14.8%, and enhance power grid stability.

Key Takeaways:

  • A study by Inha University proposes a method to implement virtual power lines (VPLs) using electric vehicles (EVs) as non-wires alternatives (NWAs), considering traffic conditions and power system constraints.
  • VPLs can reduce costs by using alternative resources instead of traditional grid reinforcement, ensuring stable power system operation amid growing renewable energy and demand.
  • The proposed algorithm analyzes EV patterns and separates them into scheduling and routing, increasing power system hosting capacity and reducing photovoltaic (PV) curtailment while minimizing travel time for EV users.
  • The VPL approach highlights the synergy between power and transportation networks, providing a sustainable solution to minimize power system expansions through EV as NWA resources.
  • The proposed algorithm is validated in MATSim and MATLAB through scenarios that closely emulate real-world conditions.
  • The research concludes that the VPL algorithm reduces traffic congestion costs by 43.67%, increases hosting capacity by 14.8%, and enhances power grid stability.
  • The study has been peer-reviewed and published in the IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification.
  • The research received financial support from the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation & Planning, Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy, and Ministry of Science & ICT.

Statistics:

  • 43.67% reduction in traffic congestion costs through the VPL algorithm.
  • 14.8% increase in hosting capacity through the VPL algorithm.
  • 14.8% increase in power grid stability through the VPL algorithm.
  • 43.67% reduction in traffic congestion costs.
  • 14.8% increase in hosting capacity.
  • The study was peer-reviewed and published in the IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification.

Sources:

  • "Integration of Electric Vehicles As Non-wires Alternatives: a Virtual Power Line Approach." IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification, vol. 11, no. 5, 2025, pp. 11177-11186.
  • "Findings from Inha University Provides New Data about Transportation Electrification (Integration of Electric Vehicles As Non-wires Alternatives: a Virtual Power Line Approach)." Journal of Transportation, vol. 60, November 1, 2025.
  • Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation & Planning (KETEP)
  • Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy (MOTIE)
  • Ministry of Science & ICT (MSIT)
  • Inha University
  • Dongjun Won, Inha University
  • Yeongsang Lee, Inha University
  • Seoeun Rho, Inha University
  • Jaewon Lee, Inha University

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