The integration of multiple energy sources has emerged as a major technique for addressing the complicated challenges of enhancing reliability and range in electrified transportation. In this paper, a modified brute-force approachbased multi-objective optimization of hybrid energy sources (HESs) in electrified transportation is described. The modified brute force optimization method involves providing a thorough search and evaluation of all feasible solutions within a given solution space, considering the priority of desired characteristics. The top source combination options for two key applications, including land and air transportation systems, are obtained, and discussed. This research also resulted in the development of a webbased platform for hybrid energy system application research and optimization (HESARO). The initial version is capable of performing thorough optimal HES selection of a two-source combination for air and land electrified transportation.

Multilevel Converter (MLC) design and control have been interesting topics in the last few decades. Due to the increased number of semiconductors in such topologies, the control problem becomes complex. Model Predictive Control (MPC) has been introduced in the 1980s and owing to significant advancements in processing power nowadays it is considered a viable option to control power converters. Fast dynamic response, simplicity, and the ability to include system nonlinearities and constraints in the cost function make MPC an interesting alternative for conventional linear controllers. In this paper, conventional Finite Control Set Model Predictive Control (FCS-MPC) has been improved by limiting the viable switching options based on the reference value. The performance of the proposed Model Predictive Nearest Level Control (MP-NLC) method is compared to the conventional FCS-MPC. The proposed method is applied to a 9-level inverter. To investigate the performance of the proposed MP-NLC method, simulations were carried out under linear and nonlinear loads. The presented results verify the fast dynamic response, and robustness of the proposed method. In addition, parameter mismatch analyses have been carried out on the proposed method as well. Based on the presented results, by using the proposed method total efficiency and specific power of the system are increased.

Photovoltaic (PV) systems are among the most convenient renewable energy sources (RESs) and are popular due to their easy implementation and low maintenance. Multi-input multilevel converters (MLCs) are suitable choices to harvest energy from PV systems and integrate solar farms into the existing power grid. In this paper, a new reconfigurable and multi-input converter is proposed for solar PV applications. It is also a practical solution for various medium to high voltage and power applications such as traction and HVDC. The symmetric and asymmetric configurations of the proposed MLC help achieve a higher number of output voltage levels and hence better-quality waveforms. The redundant output voltage vectors have improved the fault tolerance behavior of the proposed converter which enhances the reliability of the overall solar power system. Moreover, the proposed converter benefits from an improved model predictive control (MPC) technique which is customized for multilevel converters by adopting the nearest level control (NLC) algorithm. The proposed model predictive NLC (MP-NLC) method leads to high quality output voltage waveform (1.23% THD) under various load conditions while realizing an average switching frequency of lower than 6.8 kHz. A nominal load efficiency of 98.3% is recorded for the proposed MLC. The simulation results using Plexim PLECS software validate the functionality of the proposed converter and control method.

The upward trend of employing renewable energy sources in today’s power grid, the tendency to utilize energy storage systems in addition to these sources, and the benefits of using hybrid energy storage systems (including the transportation electrification sector) have put the multi-port converters (MPCs) under the spotlight. Fewer number of active and passive components, higher power density, and lower risk for cyber- attacks are among the reasons for MPCs’ popularity. This paper proposes a novel three-port power converter for the hybrid energy storage and hybrid renewable and energy storage applications. This converter is designed to operate for loads up to 20kW and for voltages 400-24V which is suitable for HESSs in residential and electric vehicle auxiliary power units. The voltage levels of this TPC are suitable for the electric vehicles auxiliary power units and DC zonal microgrids. This paper discusses the development and control of this three-port converter and demonstrates the effectiveness of this converter by simulating it under various operating modes for a 2.5kW hybrid energy storage system This TPC achieved efficiencies between 90.7% to 94.5% in different modes with a switching frequency of 50kHz.

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in DC-DC multi-port power converters for transportation applications. Multi-port converters benefit from fewer components compared to multiple-converter architectures. As a result, higher power density and lower prices are among the main incentives for utilizing multi-port DC-DC converters in transportation sector. Moreover, fuel cell is among the permissible green energy resources that has been broadly considered for transportation applications. This paper proposes a novel multi-port converter for fuel cell-based hybrid streetcar application. Furthermore, an energy management scheme has been proposed for the presented multi-port converter to achieve the suitable modes of operation. Simulation results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed multi-port converter and the presented energy management scheme. Power loss analysis for this converter are provided and efficiencies of 92.7% and 95.1% for two- and single-stage modes are recorded, respectively.

AC microgrids are considered the most compatible method for integration of renewable energy sources and energy storage systems into the existing power grid. Photovoltaic (PV) systems are among the most popular renewable energy sources. However, due to the DC nature of their produced power, power electronics converters are required to process their harvested energy. This paper proposes a power electronics-based solution named solar converter unit (SCU) that operates as an interface between the PVs modules and the AC microgrid. The modularity of the proposed topology improves the reliability of power conversion process. Moreover, this topology benefits from a modified hysteresis band control algorithm that provides regulated and high-quality waveform at the consumer side with maximum of 6% error margin. Furthermore, a THD value of 0.72% is recorded for the consumer side. Various integration scenarios using SCU are discussed comprehensively in this paper and a scenario selection algorithm is proposed. Simulations are conducted for key functions of SCU to demonstrate its capabilities and functionality. The simulation results show that the proposed SCU converts and manages the power in the AC microgrid properly.