Common DC-Link Capacitor Lifetime Extension in Modular DC/DC Converters for Electric Vehicle Fast Chargers via Variable-Angle Interleaved Operation

The global shift toward the electrified transportation as a means of achieving decarbonized economy has led to an increase in the demand of electric vehicles. In order to enhance the transition, there is a need to develop fast and ultrafast charging substations. Hence, power converters play an inherently vital role in the mass adoption of electric vehicles. However, the reliability and active maintenance scheduling of these converters are becoming prominent issues for manufacturers and operators. As a result, optimization of the operation of an interleaved dc/dc converter present in the charging poles plays a significant role. This article proposes an alternative modulation technique for interleaved dc/dc power converters of fast chargers aiming to improve the harmonic performance of the common dc-link capacitor current. This technique leads to an extension of lifetime of the capacitor, which is one of the most critical component of the power system. Experimental results are shown in order to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Automated summary

The global shift towards electrified transportation has increased the demand for electric vehicles. To facilitate this transition, fast and ultrafast charging substations are needed. Power converters are crucial for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, but their reliability and maintenance scheduling are becoming significant concerns. As a result, optimizing the operation of interleaved dc/dc converters in charging poles is important. This article proposes an alternative modulation technique to improve the harmonic performance of the common dc-link capacitor current, extending the capacitor's lifetime. Experimental results validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.