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The Dual Active Bridge Converter topology is widely recognized for its high power density in high-power applications, enabling soft switching and achieving high efficiencies in both buck and boost operation modes. However, under conventional phase-shift modulation, operation at light or no load results in hard-switching and high effective currents, leading to increased overall losses, one of its main drawbacks. These issues have been primarily addressed by implementing complex modulation strategies, leveraging from the multiple degrees of freedom in the control of the converter power, particularly the inner and outer shift angles of its bridges. Contrary to the traditional approach, this work proposes the modulation of the series inductance of the DAB converter by implementing a switched inductor, aiming for a simplified modulation strategy. The proposed method effectively achieves zero current under no-load conditions and significantly reduces effective currents at light loads compared to the traditional phase-shift modulation approach. Although an in-depth comparison with other modulation schemes is required, this work represents a stepping stone in the analysis of the topology and the comprehension of its trade-offs.

This article explores battery health monitoring in electric vehicles (EVs) using machine learning to address challenges in battery durability and enable new business models. It introduces a virtual battery prototype that applies supervised learning methods, such as Random Forest and Deep Neural Network regression, to estimate real-time energy slack and monitor battery health. The study also presents a carbon balance optimization application, aiming to minimize carbon emissions and charging costs for EV fleets through grid optimization. The model enables continuous battery health monitoring, opening opportunities for innovative commercial use cases for EV users, fleet managers, and grid operators.

DENSO Corporation, based in Japan, is a global leader in automotive technology and components. The company specializes in the development and production of advanced systems and products for vehicles, including powertrain control systems, thermal systems, electronics, and advanced safety technologies. Founded in 1949, DENSO operates in over 200 locations worldwide and serves major automakers, including Toyota, Honda, and General Motors.

In this study, the basic structure of the pure electric command vehicle is studied, the main components of the command vehicle power system, namely the selection of the drive motor and the power battery, are analyzed, and the main parameters of the drive motor and the power battery are designed and calculated. The calculation results show that the power and transmission system developed in this paper meets the design requirements, and the design scheme is feasible and reasonable.

The design and optimisation of a permanent magnet-assisted synchronous reluctance (PMaSynR) traction machine is described to improve its energy efficiency over a selection of driving cycles, when installed on a four-wheel-drive electrically powered vehicle for urban use, with two on-board powertrains. The driving cycle-based optimisation is defined with the objective of minimising motor energy loss under strict size constraints, while maintaining the peak torque and restricting the torque ripple. The key design parameters that exert the most significant influence on the selected performance indicators are identified through a parametric sensitivity analysis. The optimisation brings a motor design that is characterised by an energy loss reduction of 8.2% over the WLTP Class 2 driving cycle and 11.7% over the NEDC and Artemis Urban driving cycles, at the price of a 4.7% peak torque reduction with respect to the baseline machine. Additional analysis, implemented outside the optimisation framework, revealed that different coil turn adjustments would reduce the energy loss along the considered driving cycles. However, under realistic size constraints, the optimal design solutions are the same.

This paper presents a novel Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) and Grid-to-Vehicle (G2V) infrastructure designed to optimize energy flow between electric vehicles and the electrical grid. The system is equipped with a bidirectional converter and a three-phase inverter/rectifier, minimizing the number of switches to reduce weight and size. A model predictive control (MPC) scheme is introduced to regulate the converter's operation and maintain grid stability, while also functioning as an active power filter when idle. Simulation results using MATLAB/Simulink demonstrate the system's efficiency, verifying its ability to manage energy transfer and mitigate harmonic distortion effectively.

In this paper an electro-mechanical levelling system based on wide band-gap power electronics is proposed. The system is currently under development. Therefore, this document aims at introducing the reasons behind the choice of an electro-mechanical actuator operating at high voltage. High-level simulation models for the different parts have been developed to study the system response and to guide the design and the optimization of the various components. Preliminary results extracted from the simulating model are also provided.

Poster prsented at the 13th IEEE International Conference and Exposition on Electrical and Power Engineering (EPEi 2024). 17-19 October 2024, Iaşi, Romania. 

This poster outlines a design methodology for axial flux permanent magnet synchronous machines (AFPMs) aimed at electric vehicle applications. A simplified analytical model for electromagnetic design is proposed, also the design choices related to machine topology: stator, and rotor structures. Three rotor configurations: SPM, flux-concentrating IPM, and V-shaped IPM are compared based on peak and continuous performance, magnetic attraction forces, and demagnetization risk. The findings provide insights into optimizing AFPM design for electric drivetrains.

This article explores the optimal or near-optimal design configuration of a three-level neutral-point-clamped traction inverter for electric vehicles based on switching-cell array devices. From the definition of a suitable design optimization problem taking into account efficiency, reliability, and simplicity, the optimal solution for the leg configuration and operation is obtained under different scenarios and operating conditions. It is concluded that, in each case, the main operating conditions may decisively influence the selected design.

The report outlines the design, manufacturing, and validation process for the VOLTCAR electric traction motor. It details the motor's specifications, including a high specific power of 7 kW/kg and a power density of over 23 kW/l, with a rated power of 120 kW. The motor is designed for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, aiming to minimize or eliminate the use of rare earth materials.