Highly Efficient Three-Phase Bi-Directional SiC DC–AC Inverter for Electric Vehicle Flywheel Emulator

Abstract

Flywheels are nowadays a solution for the dynamic charging of electric vehicles since they act as transient energy storage. The need for a top efficient reversible power converter for the flywheel system is crucial to assure high dynamic performance. The paper presents the design of a 50 kW highly efficient reversible three-phase DC–AC inverter involving the most recent silicon carbide metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors, and its experimental validation on a home-made emulator. Highest efficiency in reversible mode, compactness, and thermal enhancement are the targeted objectives that have been achieved. The power converter prototype evaluated on an original pulse width modulation testing-bench is able to emulate the working of the flywheel system. High frequency pulse width modulation switching, speed cycle operating, and thermal losses are evaluated. In addition, an efficiency above 99% for the converter has been attained, enabling robust functioning of the flywheel system emulator to perform specific charging profiles for electric vehicles.