Managing EV load impact with flexible limits

Chief Investigator

Prof. Reza Razzaghi (Monash University)

Purpose of project

This project aims to explore the integration challenges of electric vehicles (EVs) into Australia’s electricity grid by developing and evaluating flexible import and export limits as a novel strategy to manage EV loads.

Research will focus on understanding how flexible limits can dynamically adjust network electricity consumption and generation at connection points during periods of high EV uptake. The project will investigate the role of flexible limits in managing peak demand resulting from EV charging, while also exploring their impact on network planning, investment, and operational strategies. Through comprehensive analysis using real-world datasets and advanced modelling techniques, the research will provide actionable insights into the benefits and challenges associated with flexible limits, including guidance on timing and necessity of adopting these strategies to effectively manage network capacity.

Impact of project

By providing critical insights into flexible limit strategies and their effectiveness in managing EV integration challenges, this project focuses on reducing peak grid demand and improving network efficiency during Australia’s EV transition.

The project will help enhance energy reliability and affordability by offering promising approaches to address network capacity constraints without requiring immediate infrastructure upgrades. Research outcomes will provide Distribution Network Service Providers (DNSPs) with actionable insights for optimizing network operations efficiently and equitably, while supporting the transition to sustainable transportation. The findings will leverage learnings from flexible export limits implementation and build upon existing evidence from EV charging trials and Australian projects like SAPN’s Flexible Exports Trial and Project EDGE to identify best practices for implementing flexible limits that complement other demand management strategies including smart charging, vehicle-to-grid technology, and time-of-use tariffs.

Finally, the project will help protect energy system stability and cost-effectiveness by generating insights that ensure flexible limit policies and practices are better oriented towards managing the electricity grid’s capacity during the EV transition, preventing costly network upgrades while maintaining reliable electricity supply and fair, transparent hosting capacity allocation for all Australian consumers.

Progress Updates 

Progress Report 1 – July 2025 

This progress report covers the development of flexible import limits for managing EV grid integration. Completed activities include literature reviews on demand management strategies, analysing international practices, and beginning network modelling work. The report outlines hosting capacity calculation methods, capacity allocation approaches, implementation challenges, and next steps for quantitative analysis and case studies. 

Project partners – industry and research

Monash University (Lead), Ausnet Services, Ergon Energy/Energex

Industry Reference Group members

To be confirmed – stakeholders from electricity distribution networks, EV charging infrastructure providers, and energy regulators.

Please get in touch if you are interested in this project.