Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

The proposal of this project is to develop a new technology based on matrix converter for Li-ion battery-based energy storage systems. The project has three parts: 1) Development of three-phase single stage matrix converter based EV chargers. With the rapid growing of electric vehicles, the existing technology for DC quick charging using two stage converters features lower efficiency (around 96%) and lower reliability. The DC quick charging piles with power converters are often used in outdoor environments with harsh environment while the power converters are not often designed for this purpose. In order to keep the power converters working properly, large enclosure is required to protect the converters from dust, moisture and high temperature. Matrix converter based power converters feature high efficient and how power density, which can be designed to fit the harsh environment. New technology will be developed to match the wide voltage and current output. Innovative topologies with modulation technology are the keys to keep the power converters in high efficiency in a wide operating range. 2) Matrix converters are considered as the next generation power conversion system (PCS) for energy storage system with lower voltage string and high efficiency. The non-isolated matrix converter is an ideal solution for lower voltage battery pack, such as re-purposed battery pack from electric vehicles. Innovations are required to develop the modulation schemes, which allow the power converter operated in soft switching mode. Additional devices may be required to allow the further improvement of the converter efficiency. The control technology will be developed to integrate the matrix converter in smart grid application with voltage/frequency support in standalone operation. 3) Vehicle to grid (V2G) and vehicle to house (V2H) are becoming the high demands when the EVs are popular. The bidirectional converters with matrix converter technology features high efficiency and high-power density, which is essential for such applications. Innovative control schemes are expected to support the bidirectional operations. 4) With next generation wide band-gap devices such as SiC and GaN, development of single cell power converters for Li-ion cells are possible. The single-phase single-stage converters integrated with single battery cell will significantly improve the cell life as well as the overall efficiency of the battery pack. The single cell converter will eliminate the use of battery balancing circuit and turns the Li-ion cells into intelligent cells. In overall, the project is to develop the matrix-based single-stage converters for battery based energy storage systems, in the applications of smart grid, DC quick chargers as well as others.