Scalable Data-Driven EV Charging Optimization Using HDBSCAN-LP for Real-Time Pricing Load Management

The fast-changing scenario of the transportation industry due to the rapid adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) imposes significant challenges on power distribution networks. Challenges such as dynamic and concentrated charging loads necessitate intelligent demand-side management (DSM) strategies to ensure grid stability and cost efficiency. This study proposes a novel two-stage framework integrating Hierarchical Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (HDBSCAN) and linear programming (LP) to optimize EV charging loads across four operational scenarios: Summer Weekday, Summer Weekend, Winter Weekday, and Winter Weekend. Utilizing a dataset of 72,856 real-world charging sessions, the first stage employs HDBSCAN to segment charging behaviors into nine distinct clusters (Davies-Bouldin score: 0.355, noise fraction: 1.62%), capturing temporal, seasonal, and behavioral variability. The second stage applies linear programming optimization to redistribute loads under real-time pricing (RTP), minimizing operational costs and peak demand while adhering to grid constraints. Results demonstrate the load optimization by total peak reductions of 321.87–555.15 kWh (23.10–25.41%) and cost savings of $27.35–$50.71 (2.87–5.31%), with load factors improving by 14.29–17.14%. The framework’s scalability and adaptability make it a robust solution for smart grid integration, offering precise load management and economic benefits.