Design and Optimization of Renewable Energy based Electric Vehicle Charging Station

The world is emerging towards urbanization day by day, with this rapid and emergent urbanization, boosting the world trade, and yet the use of conventional basic technologies, the human mobility system is heavily stressed. For decades, transport was seen only as an aid to improvements in othe

Project Title

Design and Optimization of Renewable Energy based Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Project Area of Specialization

Electrical/Electronic Engineering

Project Summary

The world is emerging towards urbanization day by day, with this rapid and emergent urbanization, boosting the world trade, and yet the use of conventional basic technologies, the human mobility system is heavily stressed.

For decades, transport was seen only as an aid to improvements in other sectors. Today, transport is a sector on its own that is vital to providing a more sustainable future, as our lives and livelihoods are dependent on mobility. However, the existing global mobility system clearly is unsustainable, since it is associated with intensive use of fossil fuels, excessive emissions of greenhouse gases, air pollution, and degradation of the environment.

Pakistan is heavily dependent on imported fuels and associated with large emission of greenhouse gases and this reliance has already put it as the World’s 2nd worst country in the air quality index, which is expected to worsen further. Owing to that, Pakistan requires a road map to achieve sustainable transportation. One prospective solution, to this is to eliminate the use of fossil fuel vehicles (FFVs) by switching to electric vehicles (EVs), this can be initiated and encouraged by providing cost-effective facility of Hybrid EV charging systems which are designed by using multiple renewable energy sources, for example,  combination of Wind and Solar energy. Such systems require determining optimum sizes of these alternate sources before their infrastructure is built to avoid any economical and technical fault while providing the required charging services.

This research is carried to find the optimum sizing of a hybrid (Wind-PV-ESU) Grid Connected Charging system for a case study location in Pakistan. Artificial Intelligence seems to fit the criteria for finding the optimum sizes due to the nonlinear fluctuations of Renewables. An Optimization algorithm is used to determine the minimum number of PV panels, wind turbines and number of batteries for interruption less charging at fixed price (lower than average grid electricity price).A suitable software is used to undertake the optimization of   EV charging station based on Hybrid Renewable and Grid-tied system. The optimized dimensions are then used to build a prototype to be able to charge two EV bikes.

Project Objectives

This research aims at designing and optimal sizing of renewable energy based electric vehicle (EV) charging station for a case study location in Pakistan. The objectives of this research are as under:

1. To undertake renewable energy potential assessment of  case study location
2. To determine the EV load requirements and charging frequency.
3. To undertake optimal sizing of an EV charging station based on Hybrid Renewable and Grid-tied system using a suitable software.
4.  To develop optimized EV charging system prototype.
5. To analyse results and propose recommendation.

Project Implementation Method

The methodology of this research is broadly divided into five phases. First phase involves the identification of the potential of solar and wind energy resources in case study location. This is performed by taking the data from different meteorological institutes and their websites. In the second phase we determine EV load requirements and charging frequency, for this load estimation is required which primarily depends upon the number and types of EVs used. The third phase involves undertaking optimization of source dimensions, which is carried out using an appropriate software. The fourth phase is the development of prototype and the last phase involves result analysis which is based on the real-time output of the project prototype.

Benefits of the Project

This research focuses on achieving sustainable development goal 7 (Affordable and clean energy) and 13 (Climate action). Pakistan has already a significant market for hybrid vehicles, this research will redound to the economical and environmental benefits of the country, considering the current state of fuel reserves and global warming. This study will be a gateway for Pakistan’s transport sector towards sustainability as it proposes an optimized renewable energy based EV charging system providing charging facilities at fixed rate lower than the average grid electricity price, to avoid any economical and technical fault while providing the required charging services.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

The final deliverable is an optimally sized Hybrid Electric Vehicle (EV) charging prototype based on Wind and Solar energy. The proposed system consists of three energy sources that can be employed, namely; the PV, the wind turbine and the energy storage unit (ESU).The system is grid-tied and all the alternate sources are interconnected to EV through a common bus, where Wind turbine and PV output is converted by a converter with pre-installed MPPT for maximum power point tracking. Grid is connected to the common bus via an inverter, ESU is connected via a bidirectional charger and the load is connected to the common bus through a unidirectional charger for the regulation of charging power between the EVs. The system operates under different scenarios depending upon the power output from the sources, state of charge of ESU and EV demand.

Final Deliverable of the Project

Hardware System

Core Industry

Energy

Other Industries

Core Technology

Clean Tech

Other Technologies

Sustainable Development Goals

Affordable and Clean Energy, Climate Action

Required Resources

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