Search Results (107)

Driven by the rapid advancement of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) and Grid-to-Vehicle (G2V) technologies, improving power quality and system stability during charging and discharging has become a research focus. To address this, this paper proposes a Model Predictive Control (MPC) strategy for Active Neutral-Point Voltage Balancing (ANPVB) in a single-phase three-level converter used in on-board V2G chargers. Traditional converters rely on passive balancing using redundant vectors, which cannot ensure neutral-point (NP) voltage stability under sudden load changes or frequent power fluctuations. To solve this issue, an auxiliary leg is introduced into the converter topology to actively regulate the NP voltage. The proposed method avoids complex algorithm design and weighting factor tuning, simplifying control implementation while improving voltage balancing and dynamic response. The results show that the proposed Model Predictive Current Control-based ANPVB (MPCC-ANPVB) and Model Predictive Direct Power Control-based ANPVB (MPDPC-ANPVB) strategies maintain the NP voltage within ±0.7 V, achieve accurate power tracking within 50 ms, and reduce the total harmonic distortion of current (THDi) to below 1.89%. The proposed strategies are tested in both V2G and G2V modes, confirming improved power quality, better voltage balance, and enhanced dynamic response. Full article

The utilization of electric vehicles (EVs) has grown significantly and continuously in recent years, encouraging the creation of new implementation opportunities. The battery electric vehicle (BEV) charging system can be effectively used during peak load periods, for voltage regulation, and for the improvement of power system stability within the smart grid. It provides an efficient bidirectional interface for charging the battery from the grid and discharging the battery into the grid. These two operation modes are referred to as grid-to-vehicle (G2V) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G), respectively. The management of power flow in both directions is highly complex and sensitive, which requires employing a robust control scheme. In this paper, an Integral Fast Terminal Synergetic Control Scheme (IFTSC) is designed to control the BEV charger system through accurately tracking the required current and voltage in both G2V and V2G system modes. Moreover, the Black-Winged Kite Algorithm is introduced to select the optimal gains of the proposed IFTS control scheme. The system stability is checked using the Lyapunov stability method. Comprehensive simulations using MATLAB/Simulink are conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of the suggested optimal IFTSC in comparison with IFTSC, optimal integral synergetic, and conventional PID controllers. Furthermore, processor-in-the-loop (PIL) co-simulation is carried out for the studied system using the C2000 launchxl-f28379d digital signal processing (DSP) board to confirm the practicability and effectiveness of the proposed OIFTS. The analysis of the obtained quantitative comparison proves that the proposed optimal IFTSC provides higher control performance under several critical testing scenarios. Full article

The increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) needs efficient and cost-effective charging solutions. This study presents a smart on-board charging system using low-cost materials while ensuring safe and optimized battery management. The proposed system is controlled by an Arduino MEGA 2560 microcontroller, integrating Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) for precise voltage regulation and real-time monitoring of charging parameters, including voltage, current, and state of charge (SoC). The charging process is structured into three states (connection, standby, and charging) and follows a multi-stage strategy to prevent overcharging and prolong battery lifespan. A relay system and safety mechanisms detect disconnections and voltage mismatches, automatically halting charging when unsafe conditions arise. Experimental validation with a 12 V lead-acid battery verifies that the system follows standard charging profiles, ensuring optimal energy management and charging efficiency. The proposed charger demonstrates significant cost savings (~94.82 €) compared to commercial alternatives (1200 €–2000 €), making it a viable low-power solution for EV charging research and a valuable learning tool in academic environments. Future improvements include a printed circuit board (PCB) redesign to enhance system reliability and expand compatibility with higher voltage batteries. This work proves that affordable smart charging solutions can be effectively implemented using embedded control and modulation techniques. Full article

This study presented a novel bi-level mathematical model for designing charging infrastructure in an interstate electric bus transportation network, specifically addressing long-haul operations. To the best of our knowledge, no existing study integrates charging station locations with the number of off-board chargers while simultaneously optimizing their allocation and charging schedules. The proposed model fills this gap by formulating an exact algorithm using a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP). The first-level model determines the optimal placement and number of charging stations. The second-level model optimizes the number of off-board chargers, charger allocation, and bus charging schedules. This ensures operational efficiency and integration of decisions between both levels. The experiments and sensitivity analysis were conducted on a real case study of an interstate bus network in Thailand. The results provided valuable insights for policymakers and transportation planners in designing cost-effective and efficient electric bus transportation systems. The proposed model provides a practical framework for developing eco-friendly transportation networks, encouraging sustainability, and supporting the broader adoption of electric buses. Full article

This study aims to conduct an assessment of the dynamic characteristics of a proposed 6.6 kW bidirectional bridgeless three-leg interleaved totem-pole power factor correction (PFC) boost converter developed for the front-end stage of electric vehicle onboard charger applications during load cycles. This proposed PFC boost converter integrates the self-developed silicon carbide (SiC) power MOSFET modules for achieving high efficiency and high power density. To assess the switching transient behavior, power loss, and efficiency of the SiC MOSFET power modules, a fully integrated electromagnetic-circuit coupled simulation (ECCS) model that incorporates an electromagnetic model, an equivalent circuit model, and an SiC MOSFET characterization model are used. In this simulation model, the impact of parasitic effects on the system’s performance is considered. The accuracy of the ECCS model is confirmed through comparing the calculated results with the experimental data obtained through the double pulse test and the closed-loop converter operation. Furthermore, a comparative study between the interleaved and non-interleaved topologies is also performed in terms of power loss and efficiency. Additionally, the performance of the SiC MOSFET-based PFC boost converter is further compared with that of the silicon (Si) insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT)-based one. Finally, a parametric analysis is carried out to explore the impact of several operating conditions on the power loss of the proposed totem-pole PFC boost converter. Full article

Automotive-grade GaN power switches have recently been made available in the market from a growing number of semiconductor suppliers. The exploitation of this technology enables the development of very efficient power converters operating at much higher switching frequencies with respect to components implemented with silicon power devices. Thus, a new generation of automotive power components with an increased power density is expected to replace silicon-based products in the development of higher-performance electric and hybrid vehicles. 650 V GaN-on-silicon power switches are particularly suitable for the development of 3–7 kW on-board battery chargers (OBCs) for electric cars and motorcycles with a 400 V nominal voltage battery pack. This paper describes the design and implementation of a 6.6 kW OBC for electric vehicles using automotive-grade, 650 V, 25 mΩ, discrete GaN switches. The OBC allows bi-directional power flow, since it is composed of a bridgeless, interleaved, totem-pole PFC AC/DC active front end, followed by a dual active bridge (DAB) DC-DC converter. The OBC can operate from a single-phase 90–264 Vrms AC grid to a 200–450 V high-voltage (HV) battery and also integrates an auxiliary 1 kW DC-DC converter to connect the HV battery to the 12 V battery of the vehicle. The auxiliary DC-DC converter is a center-tapped phase-shifted full-bridge (PSFB) converter with synchronous rectification. At the low-voltage side of the auxiliary converter, 100 V GaN power switches are used. The entire OBC is liquid-cooled. The first prototype of the OBC exhibited a 96% efficiency and 2.2 kW/L power density (including the cooling system) at a 60 °C ambient temperature. Full article

High-efficiency non-isolated converters play a predominant role in electric vehicle on-board chargers to enhance the sustainability of EV charging stations. A novel single-switch configuration connected in a new parallel structure offering a higher efficiency than recently reported topologies is introduced in this article. A PV source powered single switch–switched capacitor–single inductor (SS–SC–SL) arrangement employing an intelligent, robust controller (MPC) is proposed to build a sustainable framework for electric vehicles. Notable features of this topology include improved voltage regulation, a high output gain, and maintaining a ripple-free continuous load current at a nominal duty cycle range which is commonly applicable for electric vehicle on-board chargers. In addition, several factors are included, as follows: design considerations, theoretical analysis, converter performance in CCM, and comparison with existing configurations. The converter simulation results are executed using the MATLAB software 2022a, and to verify the system performance, an experimental setup of 150 W is built and tested. The hardware results of a higher efficiency at 96.9% and a ripple-less continuous load current are achieved and validated in the laboratory. Full article

The dual-active-bridge (DAB) converter is widely used in many applications such as solid-state transformers, multi-port converters, and on-board chargers. Nevertheless, its efficiency degrades significantly under light-load conditions due to high switching and conduction losses. Since a detailed analysis for burst-mode design has not been presented in the literature, effective burst-mode control for the light-load condition is proposed in this paper. In the proposed burst-mode, the regular duty cycle and the burst duty cycle are optimally coordinated to achieve the zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) condition and the minimum backflow power at the same time. Moreover, DC bias current is effectively eliminated in the proposed burst-mode. The switching loss and conduction loss are simultaneously minimized in the proposed burst-mode control. Therefore, the light-load efficiency is significantly improved. The detailed analysis and design procedure are also presented for both buck- and boost-mode operations to deal with widely varying output voltage ranges. The control mode switching condition is determined for achieving the ZVS condition for the whole load condition; thus, the proposed burst-mode control flowchart is presented. A 4 kW DAB converter prototype is built to verify the proposed method and the experiment results show about a 2% increment in efficiency of the proposed method compared to the conventional burst-mode method. Full article

In recent years, the trend in power electronics has been toward high-efficiency and high-power-density converters. Additionally, this trend has allowed electric vehicles to accommodate larger batteries, which necessitate bi-directional capabilities not only for driving but also for vehicle to grid (V2G), etc. This article proposes a comparative analysis of GaN-based bi-directional topologies, namely the dual active bridge (DAB) converter and the CLLC converter. To ensure a fair analysis of the proposed topologies, prototypes with the same target of efficiency above 97.5% and a power density of 5.5 kW/L have been constructed. This research can support the adoption of 10.9 kW bi-directional topologies in GaN-based on-board chargers (OBCs) for EVs. Full article

With the proliferation of vehicular mobility traces because of inexpensive on-board sensors and smartphones, utilizing them to further understand road movements have become easily accessible. These huge numbers of vehicular traces can be utilized to determine where to enhance road infrastructures such as the deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. As more EVs are plying today’s roads, the driving anxiety is minimized with the presence of sufficient charging stations. By correctly extracting the various transportation parameters from a given dataset, one can design an adequate and adaptive EV charging network that can provide comfort and convenience for the movement of people and goods from one point to another. In this study, we determined the possible EV charging station locations based on an urban city’s vehicular capacity distribution obtained from taxi and ride-hailing mobility GPS traces. To achieve this, we first transformed the dynamic vehicular environment based on vehicular capacity into its equivalent urban single snapshot. We then obtained the various traffic zone distributions by initially utilizing k-means clustering to allow flexibility in the total number of wanted traffic zones in each dataset. In each traffic zone, iterative clustering techniques employing Density-based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN) or clustering by fast search and find of density peaks (CFS) revealed various area separation where EV chargers were needed. Finally, to find the exact location of the EV charging station, we last ran k-means to locate centroids, depending on the constraint on how many EV chargers were needed. Extensive simulations revealed the strengths and weaknesses of the clustering methods when applied to our datasets. We utilized the silhouette and Calinski–Harabasz indices to measure the validity of cluster formations. We also measured the inter-station distances to understand the closeness of the locations of EV chargers. Our study shows how CFS + k-means clustering techniques are able to pinpoint EV charger locations. However, when utilizing DBSCAN initially, the results did not present any notable outcome. Full article

This study focuses on the transformation of Jaguar XJ40 vehicles to electric power, with the main equipment being a permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PMSM), lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, an on-board charger (OBC) system, and a battery management system (BMS). The process involves integrating the PMSM with the vehicle’s existing transmission system. This research compares the driving range of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) using different testing methods under the same conditions: simulation, dynamometer (dino), and actual on-road testing. Based on Raminthra’s public roads (RITA drive cycle), one drive cycle covers 7.64 km in 11.25 min. The simulation test by MATLAB/SIMULINK R2016a predicts a driving distance of up to 282.14 km. The dino test, using a chassis dynamometer to simulate driving conditions while the vehicle remains stationary, indicates a driving distance of 264.68 km. In contrast, actual on-road tests show a driving distance of 259.09 km, accounting for real-world driving conditions, including variations in speed, road types, weather, and traffic. The motor achieves 95% efficiency at 2400 rpm and 420 Nm torque. The simulated distance differs from the actual road distance by approximately 8.17%, suggesting reasonable accuracy of the model. Full article

The transportation industry is experiencing a switch towards electrification. Availability of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is very critical for broader acceptance of EVs. The increasing use of OBCs, due to their cost-effectiveness and ease of installation, necessitates addressing key challenges. These include achieving high efficiency and power density to overcome space limitations and reduce charging times. Additionally, the growing interest in bidirectional power flow, allowing EVs to supply power back to the grid, highlights the importance of innovative OBC solutions. This review article provides a thorough analysis of the current advancements, challenges, and prospects in EV on-board charger technology. It aims to offer a comprehensive review of OBC architectures, components, technologies, and emerging trends, guiding future research and development. Addressing these challenges is essential to enhance the efficiency, reliability, and integration of OBCs within the broader EV ecosystem. Full article

Climate change risks have triggered the international community to find efficient solutions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions mainly produced by the energy, industrial, and transportation sectors. The problem can be significantly tackled by promoting electric vehicles (EVs) to be the dominant technology in the transportation sector. Accordingly, there is a pressing need to increase the scale of EV penetration, which requires simplifying the manufacturing process, increasing the training level of maintenance personnel, securing the necessary supply chains, and, importantly, developing the charging infrastructure. A new modular trend in EV manufacturing is being explored and tested by several large automotive companies, mainly in the USA, the European Union, and China. This modular manufacturing platform paves the way for standardised manufacturing and assembly of EVs when standard scalable units are used to build EVs at different power scales, ranging from small light-duty vehicles to large electric buses and trucks. In this context, modularising EV electric systems needs to be considered to prepare for the next EV generation. This paper reviews the main modular topologies presented in the literature in the context of EV systems. This paper summarises the most promising topologies in terms of modularised battery connections, propulsion systems focusing on inverters and rectifiers, modular cascaded EV machines, and modular charging systems. Full article

This paper presents a groundbreaking control strategy for a bidirectional battery charger that allows power to be injected into the smart grid while simultaneously compensating for the grid’s reactive power using an electric vehicle battery. An artificial neural network (ANN) controller is utilized for precise design to ensure optimal performance with minimal error. The ANN technique is applied to generate sinusoidal pulse width modulation (SPWM) for a bidirectional AC–DC inverter, with the entire algorithm simulated in MATLAB Simulink.The core innovation of this study is the creation of the ANN algorithm, which supports grid compensation using electric vehicle batteries, an approach termed “vehicle-for-grid”. Additionally, the paper details the PCB circuit design of the system controlled by the DSP F28379D board, which was tested on a three-phase motor. The total harmonic distortion (THD) of the proposed ANN algorithm is approximately $1.85\%$, compared to the MPC algorithm’s THD of about $2.85\%$. This indicates that the proposed algorithm is more effective in terms of the quality of the power injected into the grid. Furthermore, it demonstrates effective grid compensation, with the reactive power effectively neutralized to $0\mathrm{KVAR}$ in the vehicle-for-grid mode. Full article

Electric vehicle (EV) fast charging systems are rapidly evolving to meet the demands of a growing electric mobility landscape. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of various fast charging techniques, advanced infrastructure, control strategies, and emerging challenges and future trends in EV fast charging. It discusses various fast charging techniques, including inductive charging, ultra-fast charging (UFC), DC fast charging (DCFC), Tesla Superchargers, bidirectional charging integration, and battery swapping, analysing their advantages and limitations. Advanced infrastructure for DC fast charging is explored, covering charging standards, connector types, communication protocols, power levels, and charging modes control strategies. Electric vehicle battery chargers are categorized into on-board and off-board systems, with detailed functionalities provided. The status of DC fast charging station DC-DC converters classification is presented, emphasizing their role in optimizing charging efficiency. Control strategies for EV systems are analysed, focusing on effective charging management while ensuring safety and performance. Challenges and future trends in EV fast charging are thoroughly explored, highlighting infrastructure limitations, standardization efforts, battery technology advancements, and energy optimization through smart grid solutions and bidirectional chargers. The paper advocates for global collaboration to establish universal standards and interoperability among charging systems to facilitate widespread EV adoption. Future research areas include faster charging, infrastructure improvements, standardization, and energy optimization. Encouragement is given for advancements in battery technology, wireless charging, battery swapping, and user experience enhancement to further advance the EV fast charging ecosystem. In summary, this paper offers valuable insights into the current state, challenges, and future directions of EV fast charging, providing a comprehensive examination of technological advancements and emerging trends in the field. Full article