A Photovoltaic-Powered Modified Multiport Converter for an EV Charger with Bidirectional and Grid Connected Capability Assist PV2V, G2V, and V2G

Abstract

To reduce the burden of electric vehicle (EV) charging power requirements, photovoltaic (PV) infrastructure EV charging has grown in recent years. The Z-Source Inverter (ZSI) allows tapping the boosted DC and AC by adjusting the switching shoot-through. However, it has only one DC tapping, thus limiting multiport charging options. This can be overcome by splitting the boosting capacitors used at the load terminal, which supports multiple charging ports, enabling simultaneous charging of multiple EVs, thereby increasing capacity and improving overall system efficiency. This paper presents a novel PV-tied Adaptable Z-Source Inverter (AZSI) for multiport EV charging. The modified split capacitor Z-source impedance networks ensure power availability at the charging station by regulating PV generation and grid supply. The performance of the AZSI was evaluated with experimentations that achieved an efficiency of 93.8% with three charging ports. This work contributes to developing sustainable and efficient charging infrastructure to meet the growing demands of the electric vehicle market.