Contribution to optimizing the performance of chargers for electric vehicle batteries: Case of AC-DC converters

Abstract

This article proposes two topologies of AC-DC converters with Active Damping Cell (ASC) suitable for charging electric vehicles, aiming to improve the performance of battery chargers, achieving overall better energy efficiency and corrected power factor (PFC). Also, additional benefits will be the reduction of THD (harmonic distortion rate), and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, thus promoting the transition towards a more environmentally friendly mobility. The methodological approach of this work is a combination of analysis and digital technology. Thus, the topologies of the converters and their control circuits are modelled for operation in dynamic mode, with operating scenarios of the topologies for which an in-depth analysis of the impact of the active damping cell is proposed. The control technique is based on average current control, which includes a voltage and current control loop, all within the Simulink Matlab environment. The results obtained show that the converters with ASC have a high overall efficiency measured at 99.78 %, the PFC is maintained at unity (0.99) and the input THD is <5 %, thus respecting the standards EN 610032, Class D (A) limit. Additionally, structures with ASC provide improved performance in terms of system response, stability and robustness. This work contributes to improving energy efficiency by reducing switching losses for electric car chargers, while complying with European charging standards. • Performance of chargers • Electric vehicle batteries • AC-DC converters • Energy efficiency • THD and PFC