Smart Grid Simulation for EV Integration – From Concept to European Scale

Published on: 17.12.2025

1 Min. Reading time

Ford: The challenge

FEV and Ford have collaborated to create a comprehensive smart grid simulation framework that optimizes energy flows for electric vehicle (EV) charging, stationary batteries, and photovoltaic (PV) systems. This solution combines advanced algorithms, real-world data, and predictive modeling to enable cost-efficient, sustainable, and grid-friendly charging strategies for both households and fleets.

The rise of electric mobility introduces complex challenges:

Grid Stability: Balancing fluctuating renewable generation with dynamic EV charging demand.
Cost Efficiency: Minimizing energy costs under flexible tariffs and peak power constraints.
Scalability: Designing solutions that work for single depots and across multiple European countries.

FEV e+r: Our involvement and solution

FEV developed an integrated simulation environment that combines:

Energy Management System (EMS): Optimized energy flow between PV, stationary batteries, and multiple EVs.
Smart Charging Strategies: Including unidirectional (V1G) and bidirectional (V2G) charging for cost reduction and grid services.
High-Resolution Simulation: Time step reduced to 1 minute for detailed analysis.
European Data Integration: Weather, tariff, and synthetic load profiles for 7 countries (Germany, UK, Norway, France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands) over 3 years (2019–2021).
Market Participation: Support for balancing markets (FCR, aFRR) to generate additional revenue.
Design of Experiments (DOE): Component sizing for PV, battery, and grid connection points.

Key Outcomes:

Significant energy cost savings under dynamic tariffs.
Peak shaving and load shifting reduce grid stress and costs.
PV integration can cut energy costs by up to one-third.
V2G strategies enable participation in balancing markets, reducing CO₂ emissions and improving grid flexibility.