The first year of the project was dedicated to the recruitment of our nine PhD candidates as well as creating and fostering our interdisciplinary and dynamic network. This year included the development of a centralized vacancy template, a training on diversity, equality and inclusion and a central online hiring event. Despite the very specific work field which led to difficulties in finding qualified PhD-candidates, we are pleased to report that currently nine enthusiastic and competent PhD-candidates are actively contributing to the objectives of the project.
The delay in recruitment led to only minor deviations of the DoA, primarily affecting the related deliverables of the PhD-candidates and the training events. Despite these delays, the candidates made good progress and the deliverables and milestones are expected to be met before the project ends.
A project kick-off meeting was held in Eindhoven at the TU/e on 14th April 2023. The first Training Event for the PhD-candidates was held in Aalborg at AAU in November 2023 and coincided with the Mid-Term Review Meeting. The second Training Event took place in Eindhoven at the TUE in April 2024. In total 6 Training Events are planned, one every six months, concluded with a final symposium.
The progress of each PhD-candidate is carefully monitored through progress meetings with both the academic supervisor as well as the industry supervisor. The goals are documented in the Personal Career Development Plan that is reviewed at least once a year or upon request of the PhD-candidate. In addition, the consortium meets bi-monthly to discuss ongoing topics to ensure a smooth implementation of the project plan.
The main achievements scientifically include:
Advanced System Architectures:
• DC1 worked on a smart method to integrate the buffering battery, and finished some basic converter design tasks.
• DC2 proposed a wide-gain converter for efficient renewable energy integration, finished the theoretical analysis validated by simulation, experimental validation ongoing.
• DC3 proposed an energy-balancing solid-state transformer (SST) with multi galvanic isolated output, finished the theoretical analysis validated by simulation, experimental validation ongoing.
• DC4 proposed a single-stage galvanic insulation EV fast charging architecture for multi-outlet charging, proved the feasibility by complying with the safety boundary in the standards. Finished the theoretical analysis validated by simulation, preliminary experimental validation ongoing.
Key Component Innovations:
• DC5 proposed a new topology for high-efficiency power conversion modules in EV fast charging stations, finished the theoretical analysis with preliminary experimental validation.
• DC6 worked on the advanced cooling systems for the fast charging system, and finished preliminary design and FEM simulation validation.
Design and control for multi-function services:
• DC 7 implemented multi-objective optimization methodologies for universal charging solutions, validated by the simulation.
• DC 8 finished the feasibility study of advanced pulse charging techniques to extend EV battery lifespan, and finish analytical magnetic modeling of the high-frequency transformer for the isolated dc-dc converter employed in the charger.
• DC 9 investigated the potential grid ancillary services, and finished the analytical modeling of the grid forming control.
