Profitable integration of electric vehicle charging stations in power grids

• A novel EVCS integration framework is proposed for grid stability and profitability. • Contingency-based analysis identifies critical lines before and after EVCS placement. • Locational marginal price (LMP) based analysis guides profitable EV power procurement strategies. • Combined technical–economic approach ensures secure and profitable smart grid operation. The rapid growth of electric vehicles (EVs) necessitates strategic planning of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCSs) to ensure grid stability and operator profitability. This paper proposes a comprehensive framework that addresses both objectives. The IEEE 24-bus system is investigated, and performance indices are evaluated through contingency-based outage analysis using Newton–Raphson load flow. Thirteen high-capacity EVCSs are then sequentially integrated at selected load buses. The optimal power flow (OPF) is solved using the primal–dual interior point method after each placement to assess impacts on voltage profiles and power losses, thereby guiding integration decisions. Post-integration contingency analysis is conducted to uncover new vulnerability scenarios. To enhance grid resilience, optimal placement of the EVs near the most affected lines is examined, demonstrating their effectiveness in improving system performance. In addition, the role of the EVs as distributed power sources in mitigating peak demand is explored. Locational marginal prices (LMPs) are further analyzed to determine profitable EV penetration strategies at high-LMP buses. The proposed framework ensures both secure grid operation and profitable EVCS deployment. Overall, this study offers a systematic approach to EVCS planning and integration, providing actionable insights for developing resilient and economically viable smart grids.