Fast Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers are necessary to reach the goal of reducing charging times and, consequently, to promote continuous EV adoption. However, minimizing the degradation of the EV battery is correspondingly important, which requires the design of fast EV chargers with low ripple or ripple-free current as a vital contribution to reduce internal heating and stress of the EV battery and improve its lifetime. This paper proposes a modular multi-output DC-DC converter operating in interleaved-based control and with ripple-free operation for a wide output EV battery voltage range. The results were obtained through simulations by considering 400 V and 800 V EV battery systems, and the individual power of each DC-DC of 50 kW. The results show the modularity of the DC-DC converter without the need for carrier synchronization and an analysis of efficiency estimation for different scenarios of power operation (maximum of 1.5 MW).

Power quality is a concern and more and more relevant due to the numerous technologies requiring an interface with the power grid through power electronics converters. Thus, efficient power factor correction (PFC) circuits, ensuring unitary power factor, sinusoidal AC currents, and controlled DC voltages, are of utmost importance. Aligned with such importance, a novel Single-phase Interleaved-based Three-level (SIT) PFC rectifier is proposed in this paper, which can be used in various applications for AC-DC conversion. A thorough explanation of the SIT PFC rectifier is given, supported by a comparison with the traditional solutions. Additionally, a predictive-based current control is discussed. The obtained simulations permit to examine the complete operation principle of the SIT PFC rectifier (i.e., sinusoidal AC current, interleaved-based mode, three levels of voltage, controlled DC voltage), revealing its accuracy even when operating in critical conditions of operation.

The pioneering models of future power grids are driving the implementation of innovative power electronics technologies aimed at power management. In this revolutionary framework, the applicability and architecture of a novel DC-DC multi-level converter (MLC) interfacing a solid-state transformer (SST) and forming a hybrid bipolar DC grid is proposed in this paper. The proposed DC-DC MLC has as worthy features three individual inputs and a single output, establishing a bipolar DC voltage output, as well as the ability of functioning with three voltage levels, allowing the reduction of the voltage stress in the semiconductors. The applicability and architecture of the proposed DC-DC MLC, interfacing the secondary side of a solid-state transformer (SST), and establishing the bipolar DC grid, is presented. Concerning control flexibility, as underlying commitment, the proposed DC-DC MLC operates with balanced voltages for ensuring the correct operation of the bipolar DC grid, while permitting to control the input currents as function of the operating power, i.e., ensuring a balanced power on the three interfaces of the SST secondary side. The main computational results validate the proposed DC-DC MLC for various operating requirements, revealing its important features and applicability for interfacing an SST and forming a bipolar DC grid.

The diffusion of electric mobility continues to grow, which requires that systems associated with electric vehicle (EV) charging keep up with this growth. Furthermore, it is important to continue the technological development of such systems to respond to faster and more efficient charging, to enrich the user experience. Aligned with such perspective, this paper proposes a modular interleaved-based DC-DC converter topology for electric vehicles fast chargers. The proposed DC-DC converter topology is based on a set of configurable DC-DC power modules with independent power inputs and single parallel power output. It is proposed to be used in high-charging power stations, with internal configuration based on multiple isolated DC-DC power conversion stages, where the proposed modular DC-DC converter topology is connected to perform the DC interface directly with the EV battery. With the proper control, the proposed modular DC-DC topology operates in interleaved-based strategy, ensuring a split current among the DC-DC modules, and a reduced ripple in the output current, despite not being a native interleaved topology. The output ripple current of each DC-DC module presents a frequency that matches twice the switching frequency. The results presented in this paper validate the proposed modular DC-DC topology, as well as the proposed control for steady- and transient-state.

As it has been recognized, mainly over the last decades, PFC rectifiers are more and more fundamental and are increasingly present in several applications in the perspective of limiting power quality problems. In line with this reality, this paper proposes a novel topology of single-phase PFC rectifier. On the AC-side, the proposed PFC rectifier operates with sinusoidal current in phase with the voltage, but, additionally, it presents these very important advantages: Multilevel voltage operation; Interleaved-based current control; Modular design, allowing to establish n DC interfaces on the DC-side. The proposed PFC rectifier is comprehensively detailed, and the validation is carried out with a configuration that allows to have two independent DC interfaces, resulting in an operation with five different voltage levels, and in a current control with a ripple with a frequency that corresponds to four times the value of the switching frequency of each switching device. The validation was carried out addressing the operation of the proposed PFC rectifier in steady-state and transient-state.

Over the past few decades, active rectifiers have assumed an important preponderance for numerous applications that propose to minimize power quality problems. Consequently, digital control algorithms are following this trend by contributing with a significant set of advantages. This paper presents the use of a continuous control set model predictive control (CCS-MPC) for a bridgeless-boost three-level (BB3L) active rectifier. The BB3L has a set of advantages when confronted with traditional solutions to improve power quality, where the possibility to operate with three voltage levels, sinusoidal current and unitary power factor, while using few switching devices, are the main features. Considering the multiplicity of applications for the BB3L active rectifier, the CCS-MPC is applied to obtain a robust current tracking. The BB3L is presented in detail throughout the paper and based on its mathematical model, the digital control equations are formulated, highlighting that the possibility of operating with a fixed switching frequency is the main characteristic. The results are achieved for many operating conditions, covering steady-state and transient-state, validating the accurate application of the CCS-MPC.

With the expansion of power electronics possibilities for smart homes, new perceptions for power control are emerging, suggesting new possibilities also for smart grids. In this prospect, the solid-state transformer (SST) has a substantial impact to interface smart homes with smart grids, guaranteeing high levels of power quality in both grid (consumed current) and load side (produced voltage). Nevertheless, as advanced contributions, the SST can deal with other possibilities of controllability. In such situation, an analysis of new operation opportunities for the SST into smart homes and smart grid perspectives is offered in this paper. It is discussed the SST principle of operation, with a thorough clarification concerning the proposed control algorithms, as well as an intuitive computational validation contemplating contingencies of operation about power quality effects for the load and grid side. The attained results strengthen the attractiveness of the new operation opportunities for the SST when utilized as interface between homes and smart grids.

The power distribution grid is centrally managed concerning the requirements of the end-users, however, with the appearance of smart grids, new technologies are arising. Therefore, distributed energy resources, mainly, renewables, energy storage systems, electric mobility, and power quality are viewed as encouraging contributions for improving power management. In these circumstances, this paper presents a power electronics perspective for the power distribution grid, considering innovative features, and including a power quality perception. Throughout the paper are presented relevant concepts for a concrete realization of a smart grid, supported by the integration of power electronics devices as the interface of the mentioned technologies. Aiming to support the innovative power electronics systems for interfacing the mentioned technologies in smart grids, a set of developed power electronics equipment was developed and, along with the paper, are shown and described, supporting the most important contributions of this paper.

This paper presents an enhanced three-phase shunt active power filter (SAPF) that, besides its inherent functionalities of power quality problems compensation, also allows the interface of a renewable energy source (RES, namely solar photovoltaic – PV panels) and an energy storage system (ESS, namely batteries) through its dc-link. On the power grid-side, a three-phase four-wire voltage-source ac-dc converter is connected with the power grid, operating as an SAPF, whereas the RES-interface and the ESS-interface are made through a three-port multilevel dc-dc converter connected to the dc-link of the SAPF. Besides, to compensate power quality problems related to currents, the SAPF also permits the controllability of the bidirectional power exchanged between the power grid and the dc interfaces, i.e., the RES and the ESS. The operation principle of the whole system, as well as the detailed control algorithms, are described in the paper. A validation was performed through computer simulations, where it is possible to analyze the different operation modes of the enhanced SAPF interfacing a RES and an ESS through the dc-link.

The concept of bipolar dc power grids has emerged, mainly due to the improvements in efficiency and offered flexibility when compared with unipolar architectures. Though, concerns of asymmetrical loads affecting voltage unbalances is the key challenge to overcome. In this context, power electronics play an important influence since the features of the topology contribute to define the quality of the bipolar dc power grids. This paper presents the application of a bipolar bidirectional three-level (BB3L) dc-dc converter as a contribution to mitigate the aforementioned concern of bipolar dc power grids. The proposed BB3L dc-dc converter is introduced, and an insightful description of its principle of operation is presented throughout the paper. Since the BB3L dc-dc converter operates with three voltage levels, it is possible to diminish the blocking voltage of the switching devices, representing an important feature of such topology. Additionally, it can operate with the voltage and current variables controlled with the double of the switching frequency, also representing an added value of such topology. The distinct possibilities of operation are presented, both in buck-mode and boost-mode, and an experimental validation is presented to validate the main features of the BB3L dc-dc converter for bipolar dc power grids.

This paper presents a bidirectional three-level (B3L) dc-dc converter for electric mobility applications, namely for EV battery chargers (structures of on-board or off-board). As shown throughout the paper, the B3L dc-dc converter is only part of the on-board or off-board chargers, and may also be framed in galvanic isolated or non-isolated electrical systems. As main differentiating factor, according to the output voltage value, it can operate with three-levels, allowing to reduce the voltage applied to each switching device. Besides, it operates with the output controlled current with a frequency that is double of the switching frequency of each device. Taking into account the advantages of the B3L dc-dc converter, a comparison with a conventional converter is established. The adopted PWM strategy is defined according to the current control technique. The experimental validation is performed using two prototypes: an on-board charger and an off-board charger. The obtained results allow verifying the claimed innovative characteristics and advantages of the B3L dc-dc converter.

The use of PFC rectifiers has assumed an increasingly preponderance, contributing in a decisive way to improve the power quality indices, since they allow to operate with sinusoidal current on the ac-side and with controlled voltage on the dc-side. In this paper is proposed a novel PFC rectifier that allows five-levels of voltage. As noted in the paper, it presents a number of interesting advantages when compared to the conventional five-level PFC rectifier, mainly because it requires less passive and active semiconductors to produce the different voltage levels and requires less hardware resources to implement the gate-driver circuits. The proposed five-level PFC (5L-PFC) rectifier operates in boost mode and has a single dc-link (although with a midpoint to achieve the various levels), being an important feature for applications in smart grids (e.g., smart electrical appliances and electric mobility chargers). The key topics of the 5L-PFC rectifier are addressed and discussed based on the analysis of the principle of operation. As current control strategy it was adopted the model predictive control. Experimental results in steady and transient state were considered for an effective validation of the 5L-PFC rectifier, verifying the operation with: sinusoidal current on the ac-side; multi-level operation with five-levels; controlled dc-link voltage.

The Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) has become progressively an attractive solution for the medium-power and the high-power applications, due to its modularity, flexibility of redundancy or scalability, high efficiency and low production of harmonic contents. However, in order to have a reliable and robust MMC system, different concerns should be observed in terms of the converter control complexity and the required effective protection system. In this context, this paper presents a novel hardware protection topology for the MMC half-bridge submodule. The introduced scheme is based on new sensors technology that can be assembled near the power hardware, resulting in less perturbation and a very low signal delay. This allows the protection system to respond quickly to fault situations. The proposed protection scheme of half-bridge MMC submodules is a new contribution given the steadily increasing popularity of the MMC and that just a few scientific publications treat in detail the protection mechanisms of half-bridge submodules for MMC. The experimental results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed scheme after creating the fault overvoltage and overcurrent conditions on one MMC half-bridge submodule.

This paper proposes a novel topology of a multilevel converter for power factor correction (PFC) applications. The proposed topology, with a split dc-link, can produce five distinct voltage levels with a reduced number of power devices. Inherently, the proposed topology operates with unitary power factor, sinusoidal grid current, and controlled dc-link voltage. The functional principle of the proposed topology is described in detail to show its benefits compared to the classical PFC topologies. The current control methodology adopts the discrete-time nature of the topology to define the distinct states throughout a control period. A laboratorial prototype was developed to validate the proposed topology under real conditions of operation, and the hardware structure and the implemented control algorithm are presented in this paper. The experimental validation shows a grid current with reduced harmonic distortion, a controlled voltage in the split dc-link, and a unitary power factor operation.

A novel multi-objective off-board EV charging station (EVCS) for smart homes is proposed, where the option to integrate a set of functionalities in a single equipment for the smart grid power management is a distinguishing contribution. The EVCS is carefully described along the paper, where its attractive functionalities are: (a) Direct interface with the EV battery, permitting to achieve a flexible grid-to-vehicle (G2V) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) operation, according to the demand response strategy of the smart grid; (b) Operation as a smart active power conditioner independently of the EV presence; (c) Operation as a reactive power compensator, agreeing to the requirements of the power grid. These functionalities allow to enhance the power quality points in smart homes and grids. The control algorithm of the EVCS is meticulously defined according to the smart home control and the smart grid necessities, aiming to accomplish with the aforementioned functionalities. This paper offering an experimental validation, obtained with a developed prototype, which corroborates the attractiveness of the multi-objective EVCS for smart homes and grids.

This paper presents a comparison between different possibilities for the vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) power transfer between two electric vehicles (EVs). The traditional V2V operation mode is performed through a common energy aggregator, such as the electrical power grid, consisting of a combination of the vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and grid-to-vehicle (G2V) operation modes. The traditional V2V power transfer is based on four power conversions, since each on-board EV battery charger is comprised by two power converters (de-de and dc-ac). In this context, this paper proposes new perspectives for the V2V power transfer, both in ac and dc, focusing in the V2V power transfer using dc power (dcV2V). The proposed methods discard the need for an energy aggregator connection, being possible to directly connect two EV s, charging one EV from the other. Furthermore, the proposed dcV2V method allows the reduction of four power conversions to a single one, allowing to increase the overall efficiency of the power transfer between EVs, An efficiency-based evaluation of the different V2V methods is performed, supporting the benefits of dcV2V.

This paper presents the development and test of an Internet of Things (IoT) system for monitoring and control of electric vehicles. The IoT architecture, which was developed using the Firebase platform, allows the synchronization of the vehicles' data to the online server, as well as the access to the data outside of the vehicle, though the Internet. The smart charging system proposed in this paper allows the control of the electric vehicle's battery charging current in real time, based on the demand at the residence (home current), which is measured using a residential wireless sensor network (WSN). An Android mobile app was developed to access the vehicle's data. This app communicates with the wireless sensor nodes of an intra-vehicular wireless sensor network (IVWSN), which was developed using the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol. A real time notification system was also implemented to alert users about certain events, such as low battery and full battery charge. The main features of the proposed IoT system are validated through experimental results.

This paper presents an innovative off-board electric vehicle home charging station (EV-HCS) operating as a smart home (SH) enabler. The present status and the proposed perspectives in terms of operation modes are comprehensively addressed along the paper showing the contextualization of the addressed research topic. Comparing with the existing solution, the main motivations and advantages of the off-board EV-HCS are: (a) Off-board dc EV charger, faster than a classical on-board EV charger; (b) Flexible operating power value, aiming an optimized power management in the home; (c) Operation as an active conditioner for the home or the grid, with or without an EV plugged-in, which represents an attractive functionality for enhancing the operation of SHs and smart grids; (d) Bidirectional operation with an EV. The methods used to describe these advantages are validated using computer simulations. The control algorithm is succinctly described, demonstrating its adaptability to the power electronics topology presented for the EV-HCS hardware. The obtained results demonstrate that the proposed EV-HCS presents attractive functionalities for enhancing the EV integration into SHs and smart grids.

This paper presents a frequency domain selective harmonic measurement and compensation using smart inverters (SIs) applied to a microgrid with distributed generation. The compensation current is calculated by a main processing unit (MPU), which controls the compensation action of each distributed generation unit (DGU) connected to the microgrid. A single fast Fourier transform (FFT) is implemented to obtain the frequency spectra of the power grid voltages and the currents consumed by the connected loads. Based on the calculated compensation currents and the availability of the DGUs, the MPU establishes the harmonic orders that each DGU should compensate, aiming to equalize the rms current values among the different DGUs. The proposed approach intends to optimize the DGUs efficiency in the microgrid and, additionally, it allows the connection of the converters to the power grid without the need for a synchronization algorithm. A comprehensive description of the implemented FFT algorithm is performed and, finally, the operation of the proposed scheme is verified by simulation results.

This paper presents the analysis and the experimental validation of an off-board three-port integrated topology (TPIT) used to interface electric vehicles (EVs) and renewables from solar photovoltaic (PV) panels with the electrical power grid. The TPIT is composed of three power converters sharing a single common dc link, and it can operate in four different modes toward the future smart grids: 1) the EV batteries are charged with energy from the electrical power grid through the grid-to-vehicle operation mode; 2) the EV batteries deliver part of the stored energy back to the power grid through the vehicle-to-grid operation mode; 3) the energy produced by the PV panels is delivered to the electrical grid through the renewable-to-grid operation mode; and 4) the energy produced by the PV panels is used to charge the EV batteries through the renewable-to-vehicle operation mode. In addition to individual action, the reorganization of these modes results in new combined operation modes. The paper presents the proposed power theory to control the TPIT, the current control strategies to manage the currents in ac and dc sides of the TPIT, and the details of the developed TPIT prototype, including the hardware and the digital control system. Experimental results that validate the TPIT operation modes are also presented.

This paper presents a novel multifunctional push-pull converter for micro-inverter applications, used to interface photovoltaic (PV) modules and an battery energy storage system with the power grid (PG). The push-pull DC-DC power converter requires only two switching devices. It uses a specific algorithm to control the batteries charging process, preserving their lifetime, and also to operate as maximum power point tracker, optimizing the energy production from the PVs modules. The push-pull DC-AC power converter operates in coordination with the DC-DC converter, injecting all available energy from the PVs modules into the PG. If the produced energy exceeds the consumed energy, the surplus is used to charge the batteries for latter consumption. The proposed topology aims to contribute to the technological development in terms of power converters for micro-inverter applications. Throughout the paper is given a detailed explanation on the principle of operation of the new topology, as well as on the proposed digital control algorithm.

A novel single-phase five-level active rectifier based on the VIENNA-type rectifier with model predictive current control is presented. The proposed topology operates in unidirectional mode, imposing a sinusoidal grid-side current with unitary power factor. A unidirectional electric vehicle battery charger is the target application in which the proposed rectifier is used; however, it can also be used as an active rectifier for other purposes aiming to improve the efficiency of ac-to-dc rectification. The model predictive current control is used to select the active rectifier state during each sampling period, trying to minimize the grid current error and obtain low total harmonic distortion. The suitability and performance of the proposed topology of active rectifier, as well as the principle of operation and the digital control algorithm, are evaluated through simulation and experimental results.

This paper presents a single-phase shunt active power filter (SAPF) with bidirectional dc-dc converter for uninterruptible power supply (UPS) operation. The proposed system comprises two power converters, namely a dc-ac converter to interface the power grid and a bidirectional isolated dc-dc converter connected to a battery pack, with both converters sharing the same dc-link. The arrangement of the converters allows the operation of the system in three different modes: (1) As SAPF, during normal operation; (2) As off-line UPS, in case of power grid outages; (3) As battery charging system, combined with the operation as SAPF. Simulation results of these three modes are presented in the paper to prove the operation feasibility of the proposed system. A reduced-scale prototype was developed, and the main parameters of the control stage, as well as the implemented control algorithms and power structure, are described in the paper. The experimental results obtained highlight the main benefits of the developed prototype.

This paper presents a comprehensive study about a Simplified Rail Power Conditioner (SRPC) based on a half-bridge indirect AC/DC/AC Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) and a V/V traction power transformer. The proposed system with a half-bridge MMC can decrease the costs, reduce the control complexity, and require less hardware devices in comparison with the rail power conditioner based on a full-bridge indirect AC/DC/AC MMC. Moreover, the SRPC with a half-bridge MMC is able to compensate current harmonics, reactive power, and the Negative Sequence Components (NSCs) of currents, which are caused by the unbalance loads between power grid phases. This paper explains the system architecture and its control algorithms based on a pulse-width modulation and a proportional-integral controller, which is used to control the compensation currents. The simulation results of the SRPC show the submodule voltage balancing control and the DC-bus voltage control in order to verify its effectiveness. The compensation strategy based on the NSCs detection is described and evaluated through simulation results.

New perspectives for the electric vehicle (EV) operation in smart grids and smart homes context are presented. Nowadays, plugged-in EVs are equipped with on-board battery chargers just to perform the charging process from the electrical power grid (G2V – grid-to-vehicle mode). Although this is the main goal of such battery chargers, maintaining the main hardware structure and changing the digital control algorithm, the on-board battery chargers can also be used to perform additional operation modes. Such operation modes are related with returning energy from the batteries to the power grid (V2G- vehicle-to-grid mode), constraints of the electrical installation where the EV is plugged-in (iG2V – improved grid-tovehicle mode), interface of renewables, and contributions to improve the power quality in the electrical installation. Besides the contributions of the EV to reduce oil consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated to the transportation sector, through these additional operation modes, the EV also represents an important contribution for the smart grids and smart homes paradigms. Experimental results introducing the EV through the aforementioned interfaces and operation modes are presented. An on-board EV battery charger prototype was used connected to the power grid for a maximum power of 3.6 kW.

An experimental comparison of single-phase active rectifiers for electric vehicle (EV) battery chargers is presented and discussed. Active rectifiers are used in on-board EV battery chargers as front-end converters to interface the power grid aiming to preserve the power quality. In this paper, four topologies of active rectifiers are compared: traditional power-factor-correction; symmetrical bridgeless; asymmetrical bridgeless; and full-bridge full-controlled. Such comparison is established in terms of the requirements for the hardware structure, the complexity of the digital control system, and the power quality issues, mainly the grid current total harmonic distortion and the power factor. Along the paper these comparisons are presented and verified through experimental results. A reconfigurable laboratorial prototype of an on-board EV battery charger connected to the power grid was used to obtain the experimental results.

This paper presents a model predictive current control applied to a new topology of single-switch three-level (SSTL) active rectifier, which is exemplified in an application for single-phase battery charger for electric vehicles (EVs). During each sampling period, this current control scheme selects the state of the SSTL active rectifier to minimize the error between the grid current and its reference. Using this strategy it is possible to obtain sinusoidal grid current with low total harmonic distortion and unitary power factor, which is one of the main requirements for EVs chargers. The paper presents in detail the operating principle of the SSTL active rectifier, the digital control algorithm, and the EV battery charger incorporating the SSTL active rectifier used for the experimental verification. The obtained results confirm the correct application of the model predictive current control applied to the proposed SSTL active rectifier.

This paper presents a model predictive current control applied to a proposed single-phase five-level active rectifier (FLAR). This current control strategy uses the discrete-time nature of the active rectifier to define its state in each sampling interval. Although the switching frequency is not constant, this current control strategy allows to follow the reference with low total harmonic distortion (THDF). The implementation of the active rectifier that was used to obtain the experimental results is described in detail along the paper, presenting the circuit topology, the principle of operation, the power theory, and the current control strategy. The experimental results confirm the robustness and good performance (with low current THDF and controlled output voltage) of the proposed single-phase FLAR operating with model predictive current control.

This paper presents the project of a mobile cockpit system (MCS) for smartphones, which provides assistance to electric bicycle (EB) cyclists in smart cities' environment. The presented system introduces a mobile application (MCS App) with the goal to provide useful personalized information to the cyclist related to the EB's use, including EB range prediction considering the intended path, management of the cycling effort performed by the cyclist, handling of the battery charging process, and the provisioning of information regarding available public transport. This work also introduces the EB cyclist profile concept, which is based on historical data analysis previously stored in a database and collected from mobile devices' sensors. From the tests performed, the results show the importance of route guidance, taking into account the energy savings. The results also show significant changes on range prediction based on user and route taken. It is important to say that the proposed system can be used for all bicycles in general.

This paper proposes an on-board Electric Vehicle (EV) battery charger with enhanced Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) operation mode. For such purpose was adapted an on-board bidirectional battery charger prototype to allow the Grid-to-Vehicle (G2V), Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) and V2H operation modes. Along the paper are presented the hardware topology and the control algorithms of this battery charger. The idea underlying to this paper is the operation of the on-board bidirectional battery charger as an energy backup system when occurs a power outages. For detecting the power outage were compared two strategies, one based on the half-cycle rms calculation of the power grid voltage, and another in the determination of the rms value based in a Kalman filter. The experimental results were obtained considering the on-board EV battery charger under the G2V, V2G, and V2H operation modes. The results show that the power outage detection is faster using a Kalman filter, up to 90% than the other strategy. This also enables a faster transition between operation modes when a power outage occurs.

Electric Vehicles (EVs) are increasingly used nowadays, and different powertrain solutions can be adopted. This paper describes the control system of an axial flux Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) for EVs powertrain. It is described the implemented Field Oriented Control (FOC) algorithm and the Space Vector Modulation (SVM) technique. Also, the mathematical model of the PMSM is presented. Both, simulation and experimental, results with different types of mechanical load are presented. The experimental results were obtained using a laboratory test bench. The obtained results are discussed.

This paper presents the development of the power electronics needed for the interaction between the electrical generator of a wind turbine and an isolated ac micro grid. In this system there are basically two types of receptors for the energy produced by the wind turbine, which are the loads connected to the isolated micro grid and the batteries used to store energy. There are basically two states in which the system will work. One of the states is when there is enough wind power to supply the loads and the extra energy is used to charge the batteries. The other state is when there is low wind power and the batteries have to compensate the lack of power, so that the isolated micro grid has enough power to supply at least the priority loads. In this paper are presented the hardware and the control algorithm for the developed system. The topology was previously tested in computer simulations, using the software PSEVI 9.0, and then validated with the implementation of a laboratory prototype.

This paper presents a mobile information system denominated as vehicle-to-anything application (V2Anything App) and explains its conceptual aspects. This application is aimed at giving relevant information to full electric vehicle (FEV) drivers by supporting the integration of several sources of data in a mobile application, thus contributing to the deployment of the electric mobility process. The V2Anything App provides recommendations to the drivers about the FEV range autonomy, location of battery charging stations, information of the electricity market, and also a route planner, taking into account the public transportations and car or bike sharing systems. The main contributions of this application are related to the creation of an information and communication technology platform, recommender systems, data integration systems, driver profile, and personalized range prediction. Thus, it is possible to deliver relevant information to the FEV drivers related to the electric mobility process, the electricity market, the public transportation, and the FEV performance.

This paper presents the development of an on-board bidirectional battery charger for Electric Vehicles (EVs) targeting Grid-to-Vehicle (G2V), Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), and Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) technologies. During the G2V operation mode the batteries are charged from the power grid with sinusoidal current and unitary power factor. During the V2G operation mode the energy stored in the batteries can be delivered back to the power grid contributing to the power system stability. In the V2H operation mode the energy stored in the batteries can be used to supply home loads during power outages, or to supply loads in places without connection to the power grid. Along the paper the hardware topology of the bidirectional battery charger is presented and the control algorithms are explained. Some considerations about the sizing of the AC side passive filter are taken into account in order to improve the performance in the three operation modes. The adopted topology and control algorithms are accessed through computer simulations and validated by experimental results achieved with a developed laboratory prototype operating in the different scenarios.

This paper presents a new Shunt Active Power Filter (SAPF) that is able to compensate current power quality problems and also to serve as energy backup to the loads in case of power outages. The paper describes the hardware topology, the control system of the SAPF, as well as the energy backup control scheme. Also it describes the power outage detection scheme to trigger the energy backup mode, as well as the grid synchronization after the power restoration. To assess the behavior of the SAPF when compensating power quality problems in transient and steady-state, and during the operation as energy backup system, several simulations were performed.

In this paper are presented experimental and simulation results of a developed Current-Source Three-Phase Shunt Active Power Filter compensating the currents of a nonlinear load. The Shunt Active Power Filter controller, described in detail along the paper, relies in the p-q Theory to calculate the reference compensation currents and to regulate the DC-link inductance current. The regulation of the active filter DC-link inductance current is done consuming sinusoidal currents in phase with the system voltages. The performance and the dynamic behavior of the Shunt Active Power Filter using Periodic Sampling Modulation Technique was assessed first through several computer simulations, and then through the analysis of experimental results obtained with a developed laboratory prototype. Thereby, in this paper are presented several obtained results that show the correct operation of a Current-Source Three-Phase Shunt Active Power Filter using the Periodic-Sampling Modulation Technique.

Batteries of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) have a large potential not only to provide energy for the locomotion of these vehicles, but also to interact, in dynamic way, with the power grid. Thereby, through the energy stored in the batteries, these vehicles can be used to regulate the active and the reactive power, as local Energy Storage Systems. This way, EVs can contribute to help the power grid to regulate the active and reactive power flow in order to stabilize the production and consumption of energy. For this propose should be defined usage profiles, controlled by a collaborative broker, taking into account the requirements of the power grid and the conveniences of the vehicle user. Besides, the interface between the power grid and the EVs, instead of using typical power converters that only work on unidirectional mode, need to use bidirectional power converters to charge the batteries (G2V - Grid-to-Vehicle mode) and to deliver part of the stored energy in the batteries back to the power grid (V2G - Vehicle-to-Grid mode). With the bidirectional power converter topology presented in this paper, the consumed current is sinusoidal and it is possible to regulate the power factor to control the reactive power, aiming to contribute to mitigate power quality problems in the power grid. To assess the behavior of the presented bidirectional power converter under different scenarios, are presented some computer simulations and experimental results obtained with a prototype that was developed to be integrated in an Electric Vehicle.

This paper presents the comparison between two three-phase Shunt Active Power Filters (SAPFs), one with Current-Source Inverter (CSI) and the other with Voltage-Source Inverter (VSI), which are used to compensate current harmonics and to control reactive power. The control algorithm of both SAPFs is based on the Instantaneous Reactive Power Theory (p-q Theory). The comparison here presented focuses on the Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) and RMS values of the compensated currents, and in the Total Power Factor (TPF) of the installation.

In this work is proposed the design of a system to create and handle Electric Vehicles (EV) charging procedures, based on intelligent process. Due to the electrical power distribution network limitation and absence of smart meter devices, Electric Vehicles charging should be performed in a balanced way, taking into account past experience, weather information based on data mining, and simulation approaches. In order to allow information exchange and to help user mobility, it was also created a mobile application to assist the EV driver on these processes. This proposed Smart Electric Vehicle Charging System uses Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, in order to connect Electric Vehicles and also renewable energy sources to Smart Grids (SG). This system also explores the new paradigm of Electrical Markets (EM), with deregulation of electricity production and use, in order to obtain the best conditions for commercializing electrical energy.