EV sales and renewable energy production are rising globally. In the US, 5.8 million light-duty EVs were added by 2023, prompting the US Department of Energy to project a 20–50% increase in electricity consumption by 2050 due to EV charging. This surge presents a challenge: managing energy flow amid variable supply, demand, and grid overload. A promising solution is vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, which uses EV batteries as energy storage assets to support distributed energy resources, improve efficiency, and reduce energy loss.
Managing these dynamic systems requires two capabilities: enabling two-way power flow between EVs and the grid and predicting electrical load and EV connection times. Engineers rely on bidirectional power converters and simulation-based development to meet these needs.
Developing Bidirectional Power Converters
EV batteries used for storage need bidirectional converters and digital control systems to regulate voltage and current. Engineers simulate battery behavior, converter control algorithms, and grid connections using desktop models. These simulations help design feedback control systems, evaluate grid compliance, and develop predictive maintenance algorithms.
Control design involves tuning parameters for stable, fast response and supporting 4-quadrant control – managing current direction and voltage polarity. Engineers test feedback control on detailed models that include power electronic switching to assess high-frequency harmonics. Fault simulations allow safe testing of fault monitoring and isolation algorithms. Once validated, control algorithms are converted to production-quality code and tested in real-time environments.
Simulation Studies for Grid Impact
To ensure grid stability, engineers conduct system-level simulation studies using Model-Based Design. Two types of simulations are used:
- Phasor simulations: Ideal for long-duration studies, they use quasistatic simulations to analyze operating points over time, aiding in component sizing and system planning.
- Electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulations: Used for detailed analysis of power electronic switching and converter behavior.
EV charging stations typically connect via inverter-based resources (IBRs), requiring microsecond-level time steps and detailed modeling. Grid impact studies simulate thousands of scenarios, often using parallel computing to manage scale.
Lumen Freedom’s V2G-Ready Wireless Charging
Lumen Freedom developed wireless charging systems using Model-Based Design. Engineers modeled communications, power electronics, and system logic using MATLAB® and Simulink®. Their system is designed to support future vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-grid applications.
V2G: A Catalyst for Grid Modernization
V2G enhances grid stability and efficiency by enabling bidirectional EV charging. It helps mitigate peak demand, supports distributed resources, and reduces reliance on emission-heavy power plants. Advanced simulations and smart algorithms optimize energy management, making V2G a key component in building a sustainable, resilient energy infrastructure.
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