Abstract

CUBIDES, Luis Carlos; ARIAS LONDONO, Andrés  and  GRANADA ECHEVERRI, Mauricio. Electric vehicle routing problem with backhauls considering the location of charging stations and the operation of the electric power distribution system. TecnoL. [online]. 2019, vol.22, n.44, pp.3-22. ISSN 0123-7799.  https://doi.org/10.22430/22565337.1186.

Logistics companies are strongly encouraged to make their operations greener through efficient solutions implementing electric vehicles (EVs). However, driving range is one of the aspects that restricts the introduction of EVs in logistics fleets, due to the limited capacity of their batteries to complete the routes. In this regard, a framework should be developed to virtually increase said battery capacity by locating EV charging stations (EVCSs) along the transportation network to the completion of their routes. On the other hand, Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) express a concern associated with the inclusion of new power demands to be satisfied (installation of EVCSs) in the Distribution Network (DN), without reducing the optimal power supply management for the end-users. Under these circumstances, this paper introduces an Electric Vehicle Routing Problem with Backhauls and an optimal operation of the Distribution Network (EVRPB-DN), which is formulated as a mixed-integer linear programming model that considers the operation of the DN in conditions of maximum power demand. Different candidate points are considered to recharge EVs’ batteries at the end of the linehaul or during backhaul routes. This problem is formulated adopting a multi-objective approach where transportation and the operation of power distribution networks are modeled. The performance and effectiveness of the proposed formulation is tested in instances of the VRPB (Vehicle Routing Problem with Backhauls) along with distribution test systems in the specialized literature. Pareto fronts are presented for each instance using the ε-constraint method.

Keywords : Electric vehicles; smart grids; multi-objective optimization; mixed-integer linear programming; distribution network..

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