Modeling and simulation of a photovoltaic (PV) based Inductive Power Transfer electric vehicle public charging station

Abstract

Environmental concerns and rising oil prices have contributed of development and commercialization of electric (EV) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEV). They are emerging the market with rapid pace and very soon the supporting equipment will be necessary. As a part of that, the EV charging stations are maybe the most important ring in the chain of complete transportation system's replacement. The EV PV public charging station is conceived as a contactless power transfer post that will be located in the parking areas of large shopping centers, touristic sites, sports venues, airports, etc. With its most important difference from on-road high-power charging station, this type of system will provide only partial charging of the EV's energy storage system (ESS), for example, 30% of the battery capacity during one to two hours period. The station will be equipped with energy storage system consisting of serial-parallel bank of Li-Ion batteries. It will be supplied by PV system and a grid interface. The power transfer from the station to the EV will be conducted through Inductive Power Transfer (IPT) system, consisting of resonant converter and air-core transformer (ACT). The IPT may be the most convenient way for EV charging. It has many advantages, including the convenience of being cordless and the safety during the charging. Most of the problems connected to plugging the charging plug are eliminated (possible sparking and mechanical damage of the electrical contacts). However, the IPT must be designed as high efficient system where several important issues must be considered: large air gap, good tolerance to misalignment, safe electromagnetic radiation and system's compactness. The project will be basic (generic) approach how the EV public charging stations should be designed. The assessment of the system elements according to the pre-determined parameters will be confirmed by its layout design and simulation. They will be the source for determining the system efficiency and cost during standard conditions of exploitation.