Recently published under the title “Simulation-based assessment of the grid impact of bi-directional charging”, this paper presents the design and simulation of a three-phase bi-directional charger tailored for electric heavy-duty vehicles (e-HDVs), based on the work conducted in the EU-project “ESCALATE”. The proposed system integrates key components, including a HV-battery, a bidirectional buck/boost converter, a DC-link, a high frequency switching converter and an LCL filter, all within a simple utility grid model.

The control strategy employs Clarke-Park transformation and a d-q frame control method to effectively manage the active rectifier and inverter modes. A simulation study has been conducted, showcasing the charger’s impressive ability to manage a charging power of 890 kW, along with an inverter mode output of 540 kW. The findings emphasise the effectiveness and high performance of the proposed system, significantly advancing the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and energy management. The findings provide valuable insights into the grid’s response to the charger’s operation, emphasising the importance of Total Harmonics Distortion (THD) and impedance characteristics in enhancing grid stability and performance.

The study underscores the importance of strategic implementation of bidirectional charging to maximise environmental benefits while mitigating grid impacts. It also highlights the need for further research into other environmental impact categories beyond greenhouse gas emissions to ensure a comprehensive assessment of bidirectional charging technologies.

The paper was published by Virtual Vehicle, a partner to the ESCALATE project, as part of the 14th International Energy Economics Conference at the Vienna University of Technology.

You can read the full paper here.