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Combinatorial distribution system optimization problems, such as scheduling electric vehicle (EV) charging during evacuations, present significant computational challenges. These challenges stem from the large numbers of constraints, continuous variables, and discrete variables, coupled with the unbalanced nature of distribution systems. In response to the escalating frequency of extreme events impacting electric power systems, this paper introduces a method that integrates sample-based conservative linear power flow approximations (CLAs) into an optimization framework. In particular, this integration aims to ameliorate the aforementioned challenges of distribution system optimization in the context of efficiently minimizing the charging time required for EVs in urban evacuation scenarios. 

The ongoing electrification of the transportation fleet will increase the load on the electric power grid. Since both the transportation network and the power grid already experience periods of significant stress, joint analyses of both infrastructures will most likely be necessary to ensure acceptable operation in the future. To enable such analyses, this article presents an open-source testbed that jointly simulates high-fidelity models of both the electric distribution system and the transportation network. The testbed utilizes two open-source simulators, OpenDSS to simulate the electric distribution system and the microscopic traffic simulator SUMO to simulate the traffic dynamics. Electric vehicle charging links the electric distribution system and the transportation network models at vehicle locations determined using publicly available parcel data. Leveraging high-fidelity synthetic electric distribution system data from the SMART-DS project and transportation system data from OpenStreetMap, this testbed models the city of Greensboro, NC down to the household level. Moreover, the methodology and the supporting scripts released with the testbed allow adaption to other areas where high-fidelity geolocated OpenDSS datasets are available. After describing the components and usage of the testbed, we exemplify applications enabled by the testbed via two scenarios modeling the extreme stresses encountered during evacuations.