Vehicle-to-anything application (v2anything app) for electric vehicles

This paper presents a mobile information system denominated as Vehicle-to-Anything Application (V2Anything App), and explains its conceptual aspects. This application is aimed at giving relevant information to Full Electric Vehicle (FEV) drivers, by supporting the integration of several sources of data in a mobile application, thus contributing to the deployment of the electric mobility process. The V2Anything App provides recommendations to the drivers about the FEV range autonomy, location of battery charging stations, information of the electricity market, and also a route planner taking into account public transportations and car or bike sharing systems. The main contributions of this application are related with the creation of an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) platform, recommender systems, data integration systems, driver profile, and personalized range prediction. Thus, it is possible to deliver relevant information to the FEV drivers related with the electric mobility process, electricity market, public transportation, and the FEV performance.

Smart charging management for electric vehicle battery chargers

This paper proposes a smart battery charging strategy for Electric Vehicles (EVs) targeting the future smart homes. The proposed strategy consists in regulate the EV battery charging current in function of the total home current, aiming to prevent overcurrent trips in the main switch breaker. Computational and experimental results were obtained under real-time conditions to validate the proposed strategy. For such purpose was adapted a bidirectional EV battery charger prototype to operate in accordance with the aforementioned strategy. The proposed strategy was validated through experimental results obtained both in steady and transient states. The results show the correct operation of the EV battery charger even under heavy load variations.

Self-monitoring of freeze–thaw damage using triphasic electric conductive concrete

The effect of freeze–thaw cycles on concrete is of great importance for durability evaluation of concrete structures in cold regions. In this paper, damage accumulation was studied by following the fractional change of impedance (FCI) with number of freeze–thaw cycles (N). The nano-carbon black (NCB), carbon fiber (CF) and steel fiber (SF) were added to plain concrete to produce the triphasic electrical conductive (TEC) and ductile concrete. The effects of NCB, CF and SF on the compressive strength, flexural properties, electrical impedance were investigated. The concrete beams with different dosages of conductive materials were studied for FCI, N and mass loss (ML), the relationship between FCI and N of conductive concrete can be well defined by a first order exponential decay curve. It is noted that this nondestructive and sensitive real-time testing method is meaningful for evaluating of freeze–thaw damage in concrete.

Comprehensive comparison of a current-source and a voltage-source converter for three-phase EV fast battery chargers

This paper presents a comprehensive comparison of a current-source converter and a voltage-source converter for three-phase electric vehicle (EV) fast battery chargers. Taking into account that the current-source converter (CSC) is a natural buck-type converter, the output voltage can assume a wide range of values, which varies between zero and the maximum instantaneous value of the power grid phase-to-phase voltage. On the other hand, taking into account that the voltage-source converter (VSC) is a natural boost-type converter, the output voltage is always greater than the maximum instantaneous value of the power grid phase-to-phase voltage, and consequently, it is necessary to use a dc-dc buck-type converter for applications as EV fast battery chargers. Along the paper is described in detail the principle of operation of both the CSC and the VSC for EV fast chargers, as well as the main equations of the power theory and current control strategies. The comparison between both converters is mainly established in terms of the total harmonic distortion of the grid current and the estimated efficiency for a range of operation between 10 kW and 50 kW.

Three-phase three-level current-source converter for EVs fast battery charging systems

This paper presents a three-phase three-level fast battery charger for electric vehicles (EVs) based in a current-source converter (CSC). Compared with the traditional voltage-source converters used for fast battery chargers, the CSC can be seen as a natural buck-type converter, i.e., the output voltage can assume a wide range of values, which varies between zero and the maximum instantaneous value of the power grid phase-to-phase voltage. Moreover, using the CSC it is not necessary to use a dc-dc back-end converter in the battery side, and it is also possible to control the grid current in order to obtain a sinusoidal waveform, and in phase with the power grid voltage (unitary power factor). Along the paper is described in detail the proposed CSC for EVs fast battery charging systems: the circuit topology, the power control theory, the current control strategy and the grid synchronization algorithm. Several simulation results of the EV fast battery charger operating with a maximum power of 50 kW are presented.

A novel architecture of a bidirectional bridgeless interleaved converter for EV battery chargers

This paper presents a novel architecture of a bidirectional bridgeless interleaved converter for battery chargers of electric vehicles (EVs). The proposed converter is composed by two power stages: an ac-dc converter that is used to interface the power grid and the dc-link, and a dc-dc converter that is used to interface the dc-link and the batteries. The ac-dc converter is an interleaved bridgeless bidirectional boost-type converter and the dc-dc converter is a bidirectional buck-boost-type converter. The proposed converter works with sinusoidal grid current and with high power factor for all operating power levels, and in both grid-to-vehicle (G2V) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) operation modes. In the paper is described in detail the proposed converter for EV battery chargers: the circuit topology, the principle of operation, the power control theory, and the current control strategy. Several simulation results for both G2V and V2G operation modes are presented.

A novel concept of unidirectional bridgeless combined boost-buck converter for EV battery chargers

This paper presents a novel concept of unidirectional bridgeless combined boost-buck converter for electric vehicles (EVs) battery chargers. The proposed converter is composed by two power stages: an ac-dc front-end converter used to interface the power grid and the dc-link, and a dc-dc back-end converter used to interface the dc-link and the batteries. The ac-dc converter is a bridgeless boost-type converter and the dc-dc converter is an interleaved buck-type converter. The proposed converter operates with sinusoidal grid current and unitary power factor for all operating power levels. Along the paper is described in detail the proposed converter for EV battery chargers: the circuit topology, the different stages describing the principle of operation, the power control theory, and the current control strategy, for both converters. Along the paper are presented several simulation results for a maximum power of 3.5 kW.

Predictive control of a current-source inverter for solar photovoltaic grid interface

Solar photovoltaic systems are an increasing option for electricity production, since they produce electrical energy from a clean renewable energy resource, and over the years, as a result of the research, their efficiency has been increasing. For the interface between the dc photovoltaic solar array and the ac electrical grid is necessary the use of an inverter (dc-ac converter), which should be optimized to extract the maximum power from the photovoltaic solar array. In this paper is presented a solution based on a current-source inverter (CSI) using continuous control set model predictive control (CCS-MPC). All the power circuits and respective control systems are described in detail along the paper and were tested and validated performing computer simulations. The paper shows the simulation results and are drawn several conclusions.

Three-phase current-source shunt active power filter with solar photovoltaic grid interface

This paper presents the proposal of a three phase current source shunt active power filter (CS-SAPF) with photovoltaic grid interface. The proposed system combines the compensation of reactive power and harmonics with the injection of energy from a solar photovoltaic array into the electrical power grid. The proposed equipment presents the advantage of giving good use to the current source inverter, even when the solar photovoltaic array is not producing energy. The paper describes the control system of the CS SAPF, the energy injection control strategy, and the current harmonics and power factor compensation strategy. Simulation results to assess the performance of the proposed system are also presented.

Renewable energy system for an isolated micro grid

This paper presents the development of the power electronics needed for the interaction between the electrical generator of a wind turbine and an isolated ac micro grid. In this system there are basically two types of receptors for the energy produced by the wind turbine, which are the loads connected to the isolated micro grid and the batteries used to store energy. There are basically two states in which the system will work. One of the states is when there is enough wind power to supply the loads and the extra energy is used to charge the batteries. The other state is when there is low wind power and the batteries have to compensate the lack of power, so that the isolated micro grid has enough power to supply at least the priority loads. In this paper are presented the hardware and the control algorithm for the developed system. The topology was previously tested in computer simulations, using the software PSIM 9.0, and then validated with the implementation of a laboratory prototype.

Modelado multi-dominio de máquinas eléctricas. Multi-domain modeling of electric machines

El objetivo general de este proyecto es desarrollar nuevos modelos multi-dominio de máquinas eléctricas para aplicaciones al control y al diagnóstico de fallas. Se propone comenzar con el modelo electromagnético del motor de inducción en base a circuitos magnéticos equivalentes (MEC) validándolo por medio de simulación y de resultados experimentales. Como segundo paso se pretende desarrollas modelos térmicos y mecánicos con el objetivo que puedan ser acoplados al modelo electromagnético y de esta estudiar la interacción de los dominios y se validará mediante resultados de simulación y experimentales el modelo completo. Finalmente se pretende utilizar el modelo multi-dominio como una herramienta para la prueba de nuevas estrategias de control y diagnóstico de fallas. The main objective of this project is the development of new multi-domain models of electric machines for control and fault diagnosis applications. The electromagnetic modeling of the induction motor (IM) will be done using the magnetic equivalent circuits approach. This model will be validated by simulation and by experimental results. As a second step of this project, new mechanical and thermal models for the IM will be developed, with the objective of coupling these models with the electromagnetic one. With this multi-domain model it will be possible to study the interaction between each others. After that, the complete model will be validated by simulation and experimental results. Finally, the model will be used as a tool for testing new control and fault diagnosis strategies.

Overcoming the supply inconsistencies of tidal current energy conversion devices

The adoption of a sustainable approach to meeting the energy needs of society has recently taken on a more central and urgent place in the minds of many people. There are many reasons for this including ecological, environmental and economic concerns. One particular area where a sustainable approach has become very relevant is in the production of electricity. The contribution of renewable sources to the energy mix supplying the electricity grid is nothing new, but the focus has begun to move away from the more conventional renewable sources such as wind and hydro. The necessity of exploring new and innovative sources of renewable energy is now seen as imperative as the older forms (i.e. hydro) reach the saturation point of their possible exploitation. One such innovative source of energy currently beginning to be utilised in this regard is tidal energy. The purpose of this thesis is to isolate one specific drawback to tidal energy, which could be considered a roadblock to this energy source being a major contributor to the Irish national grid. This drawback presents itself in the inconsistent nature in which a tidal device generates energy over the course of a 24 hour period. This inconsistency of supply can result in the cycling of conventional power plants in order to even out the supply, subsequently leading to additional costs. The thesis includes a review of literature relevant to the area of tidal and other marine energy sources with an emphasis on the state of the art devices currently in development or production. The research carried out included tidal data analysis and manipulation into a model of the power generating potential at specific sites. A solution is then proposed to the drawback of inconsistency of supply, which involves the positioning of various tidal generation installations at specifically selected locations around the Irish coast. The temporal shift achieved in the power supply profiles of the individual sites by locating the installations in the correct locations, successfully produced an overall power supply profile with the smoother curve and a consistent base load energy supply. Some limitations to the method employed were also outlined, and suggestions for further improvements to the method were made.

The challenges of establishing the electric vehicle in Ireland

This thesis investigates the challenges of establishing the electric vehicle (EV) in Ireland and how the Irish government and industry are trying to meet them. It further seeks to provide information on Irish consumers’ attitudes towards the electric vehicle and their willingness to purchase it. The review of the literature showed that the Irish government is investing significant funds in trying to establish the market for the electric vehicle and position itself as a world leader in adopting the electric vehicle. The EV will also have an important role to play in how Ireland meets its targets for CO2 reductions towards 2020. Climate change and use of fossil fuels are driving the need for increased use of renewable energy and increased energy independence while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that are the leading cause of climate change. The transport sector is almost completely dependent on the use of fossil fuel and resultantly is one of the largest sources of these GHG emissions. These issues are leading to the design and production of more energy efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles. The ultimate goal is to achieve a zero emissions vehicle. The electric vehicle is presently the only vehicle being mass produced that has the potential to be zero emissions. There are however issues that customers may not be willing to overlook such as the lower range of the vehicle and the length of time it takes to recharge. Vehicle cost is also an important issue that customers may not overlook. Knowing what the consumer’s attitudes are towards the EV and their willingness to purchase them is important as these new vehicles begin to appear in the showrooms. The consumers will be vital to how successful this market becomes. Using an online questionnaire methodology, in a sample of 118 consumers, the major conclusion to be drawn from the research is that the vehicle price, the convenience to recharge and vehicle range were the three most essential issues for the consumers if they were purchasing an EV. The success of the electric vehicle market may depend on what measures are taken to overcome them.

Influence of Aerosol Pollution of Atmosphere in Tbilisi on Air Electric Conductivity in Dusheti

The results of investigations of the influence of aerosol pollution of atmosphere in Tbilisi (the capital of the Georgia, city with the greatest level of air pollution) on the total air electric conductivity in Dusheti (the small city, located in 40-45 km to the north of Tbilisi) are represented.

A Grid Supercomputing Enviroment for High Demand Computational Applications

Despite the huge increase in processor and interprocessor network performace, many computational problems remain unsolved due to lack of some critical resources such as floating point sustained performance, memory bandwidth, etc... Examples of these problems are found in areas of climate research, biology, astrophysics, high energy physics (montecarlo simulations) and artificial intelligence, among others. For some of these problems, computing resources of a single supercomputing facility can be 1 or 2 orders of magnitude apart from the resources needed to solve some them. Supercomputer centers have to face an increasing demand on processing performance, with the direct consequence of an increasing number of processors and systems, resulting in a more difficult administration of HPC resources and the need for more physical space, higher electrical power consumption and improved air conditioning, among other problems. Some of the previous problems can´t be easily solved, so grid computing, intended as a technology enabling the addition and consolidation of computing power, can help in solving large scale supercomputing problems. In this document, we describe how 2 supercomputing facilities in Spain joined their resources to solve a problem of this kind. The objectives of this experience were, among others, to demonstrate that such a cooperation can enable the solution of bigger dimension problems and to measure the efficiency that could be achieved. In this document we show some preliminary results of this experience and to what extend these objectives were achieved.