A comprehensive study of key Electric Vehicle (EV) components, technologies, challenges, impacts, and future direction of development

Abstract: Electric vehicles (EV), including Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), are becoming more commonplace in the transportation sector in recent times. As the present trend suggests, this mode of transport is likely to replace internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles in the near future. Each of the main EV components has a number of technologies that are currently in use or can become prominent in the future. EVs can cause significant impacts on the environment, power system, and other related sectors. The present power system could face huge instabilities with enough EV penetration, but with proper management and coordination, EVs can be turned into a major contributor to the successful implementation of the smart grid concept. There are possibilities of immense environmental benefits as well, as the EVs can extensively reduce the greenhouse gas emissions produced by the transportation sector. However, there are some major obstacles for EVs to overcome before totally replacing ICE vehicles. This paper is focused on reviewing all the useful data available on EV configurations, battery energy sources, electrical machines, charging techniques, optimization techniques, impacts, trends, and possible directions of future developments. Its objective is to provide an overall picture of the current EV technology and ways of future development to assist in future researches in this sector

Design and Control of Power Converters 2019

In this book, 20 papers focused on different fields of power electronics are gathered. Approximately half of the papers are focused on different control issues and techniques, ranging from the computer-aided design of digital compensators to more specific approaches such as fuzzy or sliding control techniques. The rest of the papers are focused on the design of novel topologies. The fields in which these controls and topologies are applied are varied: MMCs, photovoltaic systems, supercapacitors and traction systems, LEDs, wireless power transfer, etc

Power Conditioning for Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Plugin Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) propel from the electric energy stored in the batteries and gasoline stored in the fuel tank. PHEVs and Electric Vehicles (EVs) connect to external sources to charge the batteries. Moreover, PHEVs can supply stand-alone loads and inject power to the grid. Such functionalities have been defined as Vehicle to House (V2H) and Vehicle to Grid (V2G) and promoted by national and international policies such as the Energy Independency and Security Act (EISA) of 2007, enacted by the United States Congress. Exchanging energy between the vehicle and external sources is performed by the vehicular power conditioner (VPC). This dissertation proposes a design procedure for VPCs. The research mainly focuses on the VPC’s power converter design. A conceptual design approach is proposed to select the proper power converter topologies according to the determined power conditioning needs. The related standards and previous works are reviewed to determine the design guidelines. A set of specifications are introduced for a three port onboard VPC. This VPC is a reference for designs, simulations and experiments. The reference VPC is implemented with a modular three-stage isolated topology that utilizes voltage source ac-dc converters as the power conditioning stages. The multiport extension of this topology extends the vehicular power conditioning concept into a novel vehicular integrated power system. All the vehicle’s electric sources and loads can exchange energy in the described multiport integrated power system. Novel design methods are proposed for the power converter, filters, magnetic circuit and control of the VPC. The practical challenges of the VPC development are analyzed. The major contributions of this dissertation include a pioneer grounding scheme for VPC considering the vehicular standards, a novel modeling approach for the Snubberless Dual Active Bridge (DAB) commutation, an innovative integrated ac inductor, and a new experimental modeling method for multiwinding transformers. The contributions are supported by analyses, simulations, and practical experiments

Emerging Converter Topologies and Control for Grid Connected Photovoltaic Systems

Continuous cost reduction of photovoltaic (PV) systems and the rise of power auctions resulted in the establishment of PV power not only as a green energy source but also as a cost-effective solution to the electricity generation market. Various commercial solutions for grid-connected PV systems are available at any power level, ranging from multi-megawatt utility-scale solar farms to sub-kilowatt residential PV installations. Compared to utility-scale systems, the feasibility of small-scale residential PV installations is still limited by existing technologies that have not yet properly address issues like operation in weak grids, opaque and partial shading, etc. New market drivers such as warranty improvement to match the PV module lifespan, operation voltage range extension for application flexibility, and embedded energy storage for load shifting have again put small-scale PV systems in the spotlight. This Special Issue collects the latest developments in the field of power electronic converter topologies, control, design, and optimization for better energy yield, power conversion efficiency, reliability, and longer lifetime of the small-scale PV systems. This Special Issue will serve as a reference and update for academics, researchers, and practicing engineers to inspire new research and developments that pave the way for next-generation PV systems for residential and small commercial applications

Developing A Medium-Voltage Three-Phase Current Compensator Using Modular Switching Positions

The objective of this thesis is to present the context, application, theory, design, construction, and testing of a proposed solution to unbalanced current loading on three-phase four-wire systems. This solution, known as the Medium-Voltage Unbalanced Current Static Compensator or MV-UCSC, is designed to recirculate currents between the three phases of adistribution system. Through this redistribution of the currents negative- and zero-sequence current components are eliminated and a balanced load is seen upstream from the point of installation. The MV-UCSC as it operates in the distribution system is presented followed by its effect on traditional compensation equipment. The construction of the MV-UCSC as well as 13.8 kV simulations are then shown. Development of the switching positions required by the MVUCSC is then given followed by a variation on this switching position with the intent to reduce part count. Finally, the testing the 13.8 kV three-phase four-wire, neutral-point-clamped, elevenlevel, flying-capacitor-based MV-UCSC connected directly to the grid is presented

Optimal Power Conversion System Architectures for Utility-Scale Solar-Plus-Storage Farms

For utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) projects, solar-plus-storage (SPS) has become an increasingly favored configuration owing to significantly reduced PV and battery storage costs, improved energy dispatchability, and grid-support services with added storage. However, the state-of-the-art power conversion system (PCS) architectures based on central and string inverters feature a low-voltage direct-current (DC)/alternating-current (AC) distribution with underground cables inside solar farms, inducing significant copper losses and costs. Furthermore, these two approaches require additional converters to integrate the paired battery storage, resulting in extra investment and maintenance effort. These factors result in an increased Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) of utility-scale SPS farms and thus dampen the continued proliferation of solar energy. The objective of this research is to propose three new medium-voltage AC (MVAC) PCS architectures to reduce the LCOE of utility-scale SPS farms and thus accelerate the deployment of dispatchable and low-cost solar energy. These three proposed approaches, namely tri-port medium-voltage string inverter (TMVSI), multi-port DC transformer (MDCT), and massively distributed micro-multiport converter (µMC), enable localized DC-coupled battery storage, an MVAC distribution network using standard and low-cost overhead lines, and distributed layout of power conditioning units across the plant with scalable SPS farm building block design. Throughout this dissertation, a 300 kVA/4 kVac TMVSI has been designed, built, and tested to validate its effectiveness and viability, with a focus on the medium-frequency transformer design and control optimization. In addition, enhanced energy dispatchability and grid-support services of a 20 MW/80 MWh TMVSI-based SPS farm have been demonstrated. Finally, a framework for system-level LCOE analysis has been established to validate the advantages of the proposed MVAC architectures in reducing system LCOE of utility-scale SPS farms over a wide range of inverter-loading-ratios.Ph.D

Control of Energy Storage

Energy storage can provide numerous beneficial services and cost savings within the electricity grid, especially when facing future challenges like renewable and electric vehicle (EV) integration. Public bodies, private companies and individuals are deploying storage facilities for several purposes, including arbitrage, grid support, renewable generation, and demand-side management. Storage deployment can therefore yield benefits like reduced frequency fluctuation, better asset utilisation and more predictable power profiles. Such uses of energy storage can reduce the cost of energy, reduce the strain on the grid, reduce the environmental impact of energy use, and prepare the network for future challenges. This Special Issue of Energies explore the latest developments in the control of energy storage in support of the wider energy network, and focus on the control of storage rather than the storage technology itself

Contributions to the design of power modules for electric and hybrid vehicles: trends, design aspects and simulation techniques

314 p.En la última década, la protección del medio ambiente y el uso alternativo de energías renovables están tomando mayor relevancia tanto en el ámbito social y político, como científico. El sector del transporte es uno de los principales causantes de los gases de efecto invernadero y la polución existente, contribuyendo con hasta el 27 % de las emisiones a nivel global. En este contexto desfavorable, la electrificación de los vehículos de carretera se convierte en un factor crucial. Para ello, la transición de la actual flota de vehículos de carretera debe ser progresiva forzando la investigación y desarrollo de nuevos conceptos a la hora de producir vehículos eléctricos (EV) y vehículos eléctricos híbridos (HEV) más eficientes, fiables, seguros y de menor coste. En consecuencia, para el desarrollo y mejora de los convertidores de potencia de los HEV/EV, este trabajo abarca los siguientes aspectos tecnológicos: - Arquitecturas de la etapa de conversión de potencia. Las principales topologías que pueden ser implementadas en el tren de potencia para HEV/EV son descritas y analizadas, teniendo en cuenta las alternativas que mejor se adaptan a los requisitos técnicos que demandan este tipo de aplicaciones. De dicha exposición se identifican los elementos constituyentes fundamentales de los convertidores de potencia que forman parte del tren de tracción para automoción.- Nuevos dispositivos semiconductores de potencia. Los nuevos objetivos y retos tecnológicos solo pueden lograrse mediante el uso de nuevos materiales. Los semiconductores Wide bandgap (WBG), especialmente los dispositivos electrónicos de potencia basados en nitruro de galio (GaN) y carburo de silicio (SiC), son las alternativas más prometedoras al silicio (Si) debido a las mejores prestaciones que poseen dichos materiales, lo que permite mejorar la conductividad térmica, aumentar las frecuencias de conmutación y reducir las pérdidas.- Análisis de técnicas de rutado, conexionado y ensamblado de módulos de potencia. Los módulos de potencia fabricados con dies en lugar de dispositivos discretos son la opción preferida por los fabricantes para lograr las especificaciones indicadas por la industria de la automoción. Teniendo en cuenta los estrictos requisitos de eficiencia, fiabilidad y coste es necesario revisar y plantear nuevos layouts de las etapas de conversión de potencia, así como esquemas y técnicas de paralelización de los circuitos, centrándose en las tecnologías disponibles.Teniendo en cuenta dichos aspectos, la presente investigación evalúa las alternativas de semiconductores de potencia que pueden ser implementadas en aplicaciones HEV/EV, así como su conexionado para la obtención de las densidades de potencia requeridas, centrándose en la técnica de paralelización de semiconductores. Debido a la falta de información tanto científica como comercial e industrial sobre dicha técnica, una de las principales contribuciones del presente trabajo ha sido la propuesta y verificación de una serie de criterios de diseño para el diseño de módulos de potencia. Finalmente, los resultados que se han extraído de los circuitos de potencia propuestos demuestran la utilidad de dichos criterios de diseño, obteniendo circuitos con bajas impedancias parásitas y equilibrados eléctrica y térmicamente. A nivel industrial, el conocimiento expuesto en la presente tesis permite reducir los tiempos de diseño a la hora de obtener prototipos de ciertas garantías, permitiendo comenzar la fase de prototipado habiéndose realizado comprobaciones eléctricas y térmicas