SWOT analysis of electric transport and V2G implementation for power system sustainable development in the terms of Ukraine

An analysis was carried out to examine the prospects for the integration of smart charging technologies, such as Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), into the power system in Ukraine. The country is experiencing a growing concern regarding greenhouse gas emissions. The transport sector in Ukraine is one of the most energy-intensive sectors of the economy and contributes significantly to environmental degradation. The use of internal combustion engines in transport also increases the country’s dependence on imported fuel due to the high demand for petroleum products. The integration of electric transport and smart charging technologies, particularly V2G, is seen as a critical solution with immense potential to mitigate climate change. V2G technology is becoming increasingly relevant as the world transitions towards a more sustainable energy future. V2G refers to the bi-directional flow of energy between electric vehicles (EVs) and the grid. With V2G, EVs can not only consume energy from the grid but also supply energy back to the grid during peak demand periods, helping to stabilize the grid and increase its resilience. Therefore, it is imperative to develop a stable policy to promote these technologies and compare the features of the policy of integrating electric vehicles and the energy system in Ukraine. A qualitative strategic planning methodology, Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis, was used to evaluate the diverse measures and initiatives related to electric transport development and infrastructure while integrating them into the power system. This analysis identified problems associated with the impact of EV charging on the power system, such as the inability to provide increased energy needs or limiting the EV charging infrastructure load. However, a high percentage of renewable energy sources, increased social awareness of climate change, and reduced prices of electric vehicles could provide the necessary opportunities for developing electric transport in Ukraine.


Introduction
Today, the electrification of transport around the world is considered one of the key conditions for decarbonization for the implementation of the Paris Agreement and the implementation of nationally determined contributions, both in the countries of the world, Europe, in particular in Ukraine.The expansion of electric vehicles and renewable energy sources can greatly help in reducing the impact of climate change, but their effective integration is crucial.There is a widespread inclination to encourage electric vehicles by offering incentives at various levels, but a well-defined and consistent policy is necessary to foster the growth of electric mobility and related technologies.Of course, the widespread implementation, development and mass use of electric vehicles and its charging infrastructure should take place synchronously and in coordination with the corresponding transformation of the energy system.

Ukraine (total)
32662 42289 pure electric vehicles, and more than 10 thousand were registered during 9 months of 2022).As of November 1, 2022, the number of registered electric vehicles in Ukraine was 43854 units, and even more than 70,000 hybrids were registered in Ukraine.[1].As for the distribution of electric vehicles by regions of Ukraine, as shown in table 1, the list is leaded by Kyiv, where as of November 1, 2022 there were 8965 registered EVs.And in the entire Kyiv region, together with Kyiv, their number reaches 12277 units or almost 28% of the total number in the country.
Main specific of the Ukrainian EV market is that the vast majority of it (up to 85%) are used electric vehicles from the USA and European countries.The most popular and widespread EV model in Ukraine is Nissan Leaf [1].
As there are more and more electric vehicles in Ukraine every month, this brings the development of charging infrastructure to the forefront.Note that for increasing the number of electric vehicles, it is critically important to develop a dense network of charging stations near the place of residence and work.Having the opportunity to charge near the place of residence, the consumer is more likely to choose an electric car when buying a car mobile.At the same time, it is economically unprofitable for businesses to build networks of charging stations without a sufficiently developed electric vehicle market in the short term [2].
According to [3], EVs can be charged at various locations such as large charging stations, street chargers, workplace chargers, and private home chargers.However, this new load, which requires a large amount of electric energy from the power system in a short time, can have detrimental effects on the distribution network if not managed properly.Consequently, utility companies will need to make significant infrastructure upgrades, which can be an economic burden.Therefore, to mitigate these negative effects, it is essential to conduct comprehensive studies [4] to understand and assess the characteristics of EVs' load and their probable effects on the electric power system, particularly the distribution networks.Furthermore, optimal integration techniques of EVs into the power grid should be developed and incorporated into the design, operation, and planning processes [5].
For charging stations and connectors, monitoring and accounting at the state level is not yet available, and with the outbreak of hostilities it is impossible physically.Data from open sources show that compared to 2020. the number of stations and charging ports (each station may have several connectors of different types) has decreased.So, if as of 1.01.2021there were 11.5 thousand connection points (or connectors) in Ukraine, then as of 1.11.2021-7.8 thousand, the total number of charging stations -3244.This is due to the fact that in 2021 Ukrainian the charging infrastructure market significantly changed its configuration -some operators merged, others left the market [6].However, even so, at the beginning of 2022 the ratio of the number of electric vehicles to the number of connection points in Ukraine is 4.2.This is a high index, at the level of the best among European countries (the same index is, for example, in the Netherlands).

Charging strategies and technologies for electric vehicles
The rise in the number of electric vehicles has made them a significant component of the power supply system, both regionally and nationally.As electric vehicles continue to develop, the integration of smart grid technologies and electrical networks is being done with additional requirements and restrictions to effectively integrate them into the hybrid power supply system.In Ukraine, similar to other developed countries, there are opportunities for integrating electric vehicles into the electrical network to regulate the load of the power system.This integration process involves considering the charging modes of traction batteries of the cars [6].
The strategy is to charge vehicle batteries mainly during the minimum load of the power system, and during peak periods of time -to generate energy from the battery to the network.The mass use of electric vehicles in this mode will reduce the demand for electricity during peak periods, which, in turn, reduces the need for peak power plants and helps reduce harmful emissions, Since such generating sources are usually more environmentally friendly and efficient compared to power plants, which provide a constant (base) load.This task is relevant both for many European countries and for Ukraine.
Load shifting (pick shaving and valley filling) using the charging and discharging electric vehicles on the principle is similar to the system-wide one using pumped hydroelectric energy storages.To determine the regulating potential for the use of EVs in real conditions of power consumption, it is necessary to take into account the pattern of use of electric vehicles in a particular case of the operational load mode of the substation (vehicle mode in motion, charge/consumer mode, discharge/generator mode).Subject to the increasing fleet of electric vehicles and the effective use of V2G technology, it will be possible to take into account when designing the electrical network given source of active load.The most potential locations for charge-discharge stations in cities are parking lots in residential areas, near shopping and entertainment centers, etc.
In general, the creation of conditions for the spread of electric vehicles in Ukraine and the development of proper infrastructure has already begun at the state level, because the National Transport Strategy until 2030 and the developed appropriate action plan provide for such stimulation of the use of electric vehicles so that their fleet will make up to 70% of the total number of cars [6].In general, in addition to the total number of charging points, the quality characteristics of charging are no less important -in other words, whether there are enough "fast" connectors in the country now.Currently, there are about 24% of "fast" connectors in Ukraine -each of them accounts for three "slow" ones.On the one hand, the European average in 2020 was lower than Ukrainian and amounted to 1 to 9 ("high-speed" charging accounted for 11.1% of the total).On the other hand, increasing the number of DC points is critical for accelerating the pace of electric mobility in Ukraine.After all, the capacity of batteries in new models of electric vehicles is constantly growing, having reached 70-80 kWh today.There are also already powerful electric vehicles with a battery capacity of about 100 kWh (for example, Tesla).
It's important to mention that the infrastructure of charging stations is concentrated mainly in large cities, and on intercity routes the number of charging points is extremely limited.Therefore, it is believed that electric cars are most convenient for movement within the city.Conventional outlets are located both at gasoline stations and in roadside establishments, but it should be borne in mind that the time to recharge the car in this situation will be about 8-10 hours.In the case when there is an urgent need to urgently recharge during the day, it is necessary to look for high-speed charging, which is quite difficult.
Considering the experience of other nations, it can be contended that the demand for electric vehicles is predominantly influenced by factors such as the cost of electric vehicles, infrastructure development, and government incentive programs.Commercial freight carriers and private electric vehicles need more detailed programs to encourage, support and subsidies from the state.In addition, the mass use of electric transport will have an important social and environmental consequence -it will contribute to improving air quality in cities, which is one of the urgent threats in large cities of Ukraine.As for freight electric transport, its use may be the most economically feasible in large cities and agglomerations with a high population density, when it is not necessary to overcome very long distances.
The implementation of measures and initiatives to promote the development of the EV market has already begun in Ukraine: -From January 1, 2022, the relevant laws came into force, providing for amendments to the Tax (Law No. 1660-IX [7], temporary exemption of electric vehicles and related goods from VAT taxation until 2026) and Customs (Law No. 1661-IX [8], temporary, until 2031, exemption from import duty) codes to stimulate the development of the electric transport industry in Ukraine.-At the beginning of 2022, the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine initiated the development of key changes in state building codes in terms of the placement of gas stations on the roads [9].-In June 2022, "The Cabinet of Ministers approved the order developed by the Ministry of Energy "On the creation by the state enterprise "National Nuclear Energy Generating Company "Energoatom" of a network of high-speed automobile electric charging stations [10].It is assumed that within two years Energoatom will create 120 automobile electric charging stations: 40 -high power (from 160 kW) and 80 -average power (from 60 kW).Charging stations will operate in regional centers and on the main highways of Ukraine.-The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the introduction of "smart grids" in Ukraine until 2035 and its implementation action plan, following the proposal of the Ministry of Energy on October 14, 2022 [11].This concept and action plan provide a framework for the implementation of modern technologies in the Ukrainian electric power industry, including during the reconstruction and restoration of energy infrastructure damaged by the Russian aggression.The restored energy sector of Ukraine is expected to embody modern energy ethical technologies and meet European energy efficiency standards.The concept aims to gradually reduce electricity losses in networks, decrease CO2 emissions, increase investments in the modernization of power grids, and improve the quality and reliability of power supply for electricity consumers, which will directly affect electric transportation and optimize its interaction with the power system.
As a result of Action Plan implementation of this Concept by 2035, it is planned to reduce electricity losses in the power grids in Ukraine as a whole from 11.6% to 7.5% or by 6 billion kWh, which is equivalent to 3 million tons of burned coal at thermal power plants [12].
To facilitate the transition to electric transport, there are several actions that need to be taken, such as obtaining funds from international financial organizations to acquire electric vehicles for Ukrainian cities, creating a system to partially cover the costs of purchasing electric vehicles, and implementing various measures to enhance the environmental sustainability of transportation.For instance, introducing a road toll system that depends on the car's level of environmental standards, restructuring the technical condition monitoring system, and more.

The main characteristics of V2G
To prevent negative impacts on networks and energy systems, the European approach to developing infrastructure for electric vehicles is based on Smart Grid principles -intelligent power supply networks where charging stations, charging management systems, and electric vehicles can be controlled by energy companies to address the following challenges in power systems: enhancing network infrastructure efficiency, balancing peak loads, and developing appropriate network intellectual infrastructure.Smart networks are a necessary condition for optimizing power supply system operations and ensuring energy efficiency in the energy industry.Their application enables control and optimization of the charging process and the regulation of the energy consumed by vehicles based on network status during charging.To establish a consistent technical policy for solving these issues in Europe, a set of standards is being developed that regulates different aspects of charging station and device operation.
To date, several modifications of the concepts of smart networks for vehicles have been developed, depending on the number and type of active elements and their interaction and charging schemes.These include the concepts of V1G (Unidirectional Smart Charging, vehiclenetwork, unidirectional charging) and V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid, vehicle -network, bidirectional charging) and V2B/V2H/V2X (Vehicle-to-Building, vehicle -building/ Vehicle-to-Home, carprivate house/ Vehicle-to-Everything, car -anything, bidirectional charging).The V1G system allows you to control the charging of electric vehicles in such a way that, if necessary, the charging power is increased or decreased.Unlike the V1G concept, the V2G and V2B/V2H/V2X concepts need several elements to work, such as a bidirectional charger, a communication protocol for the interaction between the charger and the car, a vehicle with all V2G capabilities, and an efficient system control (see figure 1).
Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) is a specific type of energy storage system that utilizes the batteries of electric vehicles (EVs) to store and release electricity to and from the power grid.V2G systems can provide a range of benefits, including supporting grid stability and reliability, reducing peak demand, and enabling the integration of renewable energy sources.V2G systems work by allowing EVs to charge when electricity is cheap and plentiful, and discharge their stored energy back to the grid when demand is high and electricity prices are elevated.This enables EV owners to earn revenue by selling their excess electricity back to the grid, while also helping to balance the grid and improve its overall efficiency.
While V2G systems are still in the early stages of development, they hold significant potential for the future of energy storage and grid stability.As more and more EVs are introduced onto the market and integrated into the grid, the potential for V2G systems to provide a significant source of flexible, reliable, and cost-effective energy storage will only continue to grow.Numerous research studies have been conducted to analyze the impact of uncontrolled electric vehicle (EV) charging on distribution networks.These studies take into consideration many uncertainties such as the start time of charging, charger power rating, charging location, EV battery capacity, EV battery state of charge (SoC) at the start of charging, penetration level, and the status of the distribution network [14].These studies evaluated the impacts of uncontrolled EV charging on the distribution network's total power demand, transformer loading and lifespan, cable loading, voltage profile, power losses, voltage and current unbalance, and harmonics distortion.In addition, several studies have proposed potential solutions to integrate EVs optimally, such as delayed charging, smart charging, vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, vehicleto-building (V2B) technology, and vehicle-to-home (V2H) technology [1,[15][16][17][18][19][20].These solutions could provide electrical services like frequency regulation, voltage regulation, and reactive power compensation, as well as peak shaving and valley filling, integrating renewable energy sources (RESs), spinning reserves, and improving power quality [1,21].With the continued growth of EVs, understanding their impact on the distribution network and exploring effective integration solutions is crucial for ensuring a stable and efficient energy system.
The process of charging electric vehicles can be divided into two broad categories (see figure 2): unidirectional and bidirectional charging.Unidirectional charging refers to the flow of energy from the grid to the electric vehicle, which can be either uncontrolled, delayed, or controlled charging.On the other hand, bidirectional charging refers to the flow of energy in both directions, allowing electric vehicles to not only draw power from the grid but also feed power back to the grid or to buildings and homes.This process is enabled by technologies like vehicle-to-grid (V2G), vehicle-to-building (V2B), and vehicle-to-home (V2H) systems.
Figure 3 provides a visual representation of the different charging and discharging methods impact on the power system.By implementing bidirectional charging solutions and other advanced technologies, the electric vehicle industry can work to minimize the negative impacts of uncontrolled charging on distribution networks while also providing a range of benefits to the power system and consumers alike.
The illustration depicted in figure 4 demonstrates how the profile of total power demand within the distribution system will be altered based on various charging and discharging methods.These methods include uncontrolled charging, delayed charging, controlled charging, as well as V2G, V2B, and V2H [22].

SWOT analysis of V2G implementation in Ukraine
The need to carry out a comprehensive assessment of all factors of influence of the external and internal environment to determine the possibilities and prospects for increasing electromobility in Ukraine is a condition for the development of an appropriate strategy, the basis for which is

Uncontrolled charging
Delayed charging

Impacts of EVs on power system
Posi¡ve impact Nega¡ve impact

Frequency regula¡on
Voltage regula¡on

Reac¡ve power compensa¡on
Improving power quality

Increasing of peak demand
Phase unbalance

Overloading of distribu¡on network
Increasing of power losses Conges¡on management Figure 3. EVs charging impacts on power systems [22].
The internal environment of the subject being analyzed is characterized by factors that can be considered as strengths (S) or weaknesses (W), which are influenced directly by the subject.On the other hand, the external environment is characterized by factors that are outside the subject's control and can be identified as opportunities (O) or threats (T) [23].The advantages of the method: simplicity and the ability to spend small funds on its implementation, flexibility and the presence of many options, joint study of external and internal factors.
When considering the strengths of the development of electric transport and V2G technology, it was found that the use of electric vehicles instead of cars with internal combustion engines significantly reduces air pollution in cities. Traditional cars, even with high-quality petroleum fuels, emit a lot of pollutants.And electric cars are at the stage exploitation has no emissions.Emissions generated due to the generation of electricity are mostly left out of cities and sprayed to a significantly higher altitude, which is safe for public health.
Moreover, it was noted that V2G technology has the potential to lower the overall cost of owning electric vehicles and can be extended for localized use such as home energy storage and backup power in emergency situations.From the perspective of the grid operator, V2G provides a new resource for regulating and accumulating electricity, thereby offering a solution to the problem of fluctuations resulting from the increased use of renewable energy sources [2].It also helps alleviate network congestion and obviates the need to modernize network infrastructure.Furthermore, V2G promotes a circular economy, enhances energy security, fosters a cleaner environment, and reduces noise pollution from vehicle engines.Consequently, the adoption of V2G technology and electric vehicles will trigger a significant shift in the way cities are structured, leading to substantial economic activity.For grid aggregators and operators, V2G technology creates new opportunities in the electricity sector, such as providing network balancing and renewable energy storage services in collaboration with utility companies, network operators, and consumers.Office and real estate owners can also benefit from V2G technology as it facilitates localized peak load reduction, load equalization, and balancing of electricity demand, ultimately reducing the total cost of electricity [2].An electric engine with the calculation of losses during charging has an efficiency of about 85-90% of the electricity required from the network, which is 3 times higher than the efficiency of an internal combustion engine, which is about 30-35%.At the same time, if we take into account the losses in oil refining and the generation and transmission of electricity, then in terms of energy costs, these technologies are generally comparable.But for different countries and regions of the world, this balance is different depending on the structure of electricity generation.EVs through the driving specifics in cities are more efficient in terms of energy use than traditional cars.
Electricity is on average cheaper than gasoline and fluctuations in its price are insignificant compared to prices for motor fuel from oil.An electric car with the same characteristics will consume several times less fuel.As a result, depending on the country and energy source, the fuel costs of an electric car can be from 3 to 10 times lower.A car with an internal combustion engine has about 10,000 moving parts and components.In electric vehicles there are 1000-2000.The mechanics of parts of an electric car are much simpler and, accordingly, the wear of parts is less, and the cost of this is lower.
Also, an electric car is much easier to drive than a car with an internal combustion engine, due to one gear, a low center of gravity (due to the low location of the battery, which is usually located above the bottom of the car).Due to the absence of an engine in the front of the car, the electric car not only gives you additional space for the transport of goods, but also significantly increases the safety of the car.
Among the weaknesses is the cost of EV for its owner, which is still the biggest obstacle to its mass distribution.On average, the retail price of a middle-class car with an internal combustion engine is twice the price of an electric counterpart.In most models of electric vehicles, many parts are similar to cars with internal combustion engine.And the most expensive part of EV is a battery, which accounts for up to 40% of the final price of an electric car.EV battery cost decreasing will allow electric vehicles to become competitive in price.Furthermore, uncontrolled or haphazard charging of electric vehicles (EVs) can lead to a significant and uneven increase in the electrical load profile, particularly during the evening peak load.This is because most people tend to charge their EVs when they return home from work, resulting in an estimated increase of 8-10% in the evening peak load.This can pose a significant challenge for distribution networks.Moreover, the uneven geographical distribution of EVs and charging stations in cities and areas can also cause local substations to exceed their capacity, particularly in areas with a high concentration of EVs or charging stations [8].
Threats to the development of electric mobility are associated with the lack or limited access to the raw material base, including for the production of batteries, difficult political situation, strict national environmental standards and other regulatory requirements, restrictions on land use, insufficient development of related infrastructure, economic factors, etc.In addition, with the growing demand for electric vehicles requires new projects, and they are very expensive.
The results of fulfilled SWOT analysis are given in table 2.
After studying the successful experiences of countries that have implemented electric vehicles and V2G systems, it can be concluded that the demand for electric vehicles is heavily influenced by the cost for end-users, the development of necessary infrastructure, and government incentive programs.In order to encourage the use of electric vehicles in both commercial and private sectors, the government should provide detailed support programs and subsidies.Ukraine's implementation of transport "greening" programs would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fulfill obligations under the Paris Climate Agreement.If Ukraine replaces 70% of its motor transport system with electric vehicles, it would achieve significant environmental results.However, the introduction of electric vehicles should be accompanied by infrastructure development, systems for interaction with the power system, and compliance with international environmental standards.Despite the higher initial cost of electric transport, its operating costs are expected to be lower in the long term, and as battery costs continue to decline, the share of electric transport in the market is projected to increase.Today there is an increase in demand for electric vehicles, but there are no economic and legal levers to stimulate the use of traction batteries as a maneuverable source, besides, V2G technology is not approved at the legislative level, there are no technical requirements for the relevant charging stations, and the network of standard charging stations is still underdeveloped [24].
The development of the infrastructure of powerful high-speed charging stations in Ukraine requires the modernization of the existing power grid and bringing it in line with European standards in order to ensure the ability of the power system to meet the needs of the charging infrastructure of electric vehicles, the number of which is constantly growing [25].
An action plan aimed at promoting electric vehicles in Ukraine should include several key measures.Firstly, it should encourage the innovative development of electric vehicles by stimulating their production in the country.Secondly, economic and other incentives should be introduced to promote the use of electric vehicles, including electric buses, bicycles, scooters, and other similar forms of transport in urban areas.Thirdly, a national network of high-speed charging stations for electric vehicles should be established along major international roads.Fourthly, incentives should be provided to carriers to reduce emissions of pollutants, greenhouse gases, and noise from vehicles.Fifthly, an interactive map should be created that identifies favorable locations for electric charging stations throughout Ukraine, including regional contexts.Sixthly, a monitoring system should be established to collect data on electricity consumption by charging stations to ensure the proper management and balancing of the energy system.Finally, there should be legislation determining the rights and obligations of operators of electric charging stations, the procedures and conditions for their participation in the electricity market, the rights and obligations of distribution system operators, suppliers, and consumers when using electric charging stations, as well as the procedure for connecting these stations to the electricity network.
In addition to all the above measures, it is also necessary to inform the public about state support for electric transport, in particular, timely and widespread information about benefits for electric vehicles and certain restrictions for cars with internal combustion engines.It is necessary to be widely informed about the advantages of electric vehicles in the media.For example, the fact that Tesla owners undergo a technical inspection remotely, which saves a lot of time, or that electric cars are much safer than cars with internal combustion engines, and this has been repeatedly proved by relevant tests.The policy of stimulating the widespread use of electric transport should be noted in all key development strategies of Ukraine: economic, energy, environmental, climate and infrastructure.

Conclusions
Using strategic planning methods, an analysis was conducted to examine the potential for implementing vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology for electric transport and integrating it into the power system in Ukraine.The study showed that the transport sector in Ukraine has a significant impact on the environment, is energy-intensive, and contributes to the country's dependence on imported fuel.Electric vehicles (EV) and V2G smart charging technologies offer a promising solution to address climate change.Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a stable policy to promote these technologies by comparing and determining the features of integrating EV and the power system in Ukraine.
A SWOT analysis was conducted to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to the development of EV and infrastructure integration with the power system.The study revealed potential problems related to the impact of EV charging on the power system, but opportunities such as a high percentage of renewable energy sources, public awareness of climate change, and lower prices for EVs can help promote their development in Ukraine.The widespread adoption of EVs and related infrastructure, smart charging technologies, and adherence to international environmental standards can form a new sector of the economy and energy system in Ukraine (E-Mobility).The concept of developing electric transport in Ukraine should cover all types, including electric cars, minibuses, passenger buses, and trucks.Although EVs have a higher initial cost, their operating costs are significantly lower.As battery costs decrease in the future, the initial cost of EVs will be comparable to that of traditional vehicles, leading to an increase in their share in the country's total fleet.
In Ukraine, V2G technology is still in its early stages, with a limited number of pilot projects and trials currently underway.However, the potential benefits of V2G technology in Ukraine are significant, including the ability to reduce energy costs, improve grid stability and reliability, and support the integration of renewable energy sources.To fully realize the potential of V2G in Ukraine, there are several challenges that must be overcome.These challenges include a lack of infrastructure and investment, regulatory barriers, and the need for more research and development to optimize the technology.Overall, while there are significant challenges to overcome, the potential benefits of V2G in Ukraine are substantial, and efforts to develop smart technologies should continue to be one of the priorities for power sector.

Table 2 .
Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of V2G implementation in Ukraine.