Implementation of Dual-Circuit System for Additional Power Supply Based on Photovoltaic Converters for Electric Vehicles

Abstract

The article presents a process of designing the photovoltaic (PHV) converters system for an electric vehicle, shows the scheme of photovoltaic converters usage, the results of electric vehicle motion modeling with photovoltaic converters, and the results of road tests of an electric vehicle with an additional power source based on photovoltaic converters. The photovoltaic converters system and low-voltage system of an electric vehicle have a shared low-voltage battery, which allows the implementation of two schemes of electric vehicle power supply. Initially, the aggregate base was selected, then, taking into account the efficiency of each device included in the design of the new electric vehicle, mathematical modeling was carried out and showed good efficiency results of the photovoltaic converters system. Then, the prototype was manufactured and tested. The aggregate base included the battery of photovoltaic converters assembled in a certain way on the vehicle roof, the MPPT (maximum power point tracking) controller, the buffer storage device in the form of a 12 V battery, and the DC (direct current) converter that allows transmitting electricity from the buffer battery to the high-voltage system. Modeling of the electric vehicle motion considered typical operating modes, including energy costs for the operation of assistant systems of the electric vehicle, as well as including the consumption of low-voltage components. The tests were carried out according to the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle). As a result, implementation of photovoltaic converters with 21% efficiency allowed for the power reserve of the electric vehicle to be increased by up to 9%.