Interface And Network Architecture To Support EV Participation In Smart Grids

"This project will investigate new technologies that can support high levels of electric vehicle (EV) charging and deliver the benefits that flexible charging can bring for electricity supply and the integration of renewable generation.

Electric Vehicles (EVs) are a central part of transport and energy policy for many nations. They represent a key pathway for reducing petroleum dependence and promoting transportation sustainability (provided the electricity generation mix has been successfully decarbonised). If EVs displace most petroleum vehicles then they will represent a very significant new and additional demand to be serviced via electricity networks. EVs also present opportunities for power network operation; their charging also represents a very large discretionary load that can be managed to provide Smart Grid services and assist the integration of clean energy.

EV integration can also contribute industrial economic growth and high quality employment. A recent study for the UK Department for Business Innovation and Skills identified a potential for 130GW annual installation of power electronics for EV in the UK and perhaps 5,000 GW worldwide. This level of installation presents huge opportunities both for energy savings (even relatively modest efficiency gains in each installation will aggregate to large energy savings) and for economic benefits from the design and manufacture of high valued-added power electronic system."

Interface and Network Architecture to Support EV Participation in Smart Grids

"The grant has advanced a number of areas associated with the integration of Electric Vehicle charging into smart grids. Notably
1. Minimisation of on-board charger footprint through by combining the functionality of drive train and grid interface power electronics.
2. The demonstration of light weight, high frequency wireless E.V charging technology. This will facilitate en-route contact less and en-route charging providing advantages of increased effective E.V. range and better distribution E.V. demand.
3. The demonstration of low loss, high power quality AC-DC conversion techniques. These allow the grid to E.V charger to appear as an ideal sinusoidal load without the disadvantages of increased switching loss or complex (VAR hungry) AC side filters.
4. The evaluation of technologies for M.V. grid reinforcement including detailed analysis assessment of multi-level converter options for 11kv-66kv operation."