Study level

PhD

Master of Philosophy

Honours

Vacation research experience scheme

Faculty/School

Science and Engineering Faculty

School of Electrical Engineering and Robotics

Topic status

We're looking for students to study this topic.

Supervisors

Dr Mark Broadmeadow
Position
Lecturer
Division / Faculty
Science and Engineering Faculty
Professor Daniel Quevedo
Position
Professor in Cyberphysical Systems
Division / Faculty
Science and Engineering Faculty
Dr Dezso Sera
Position
Associate Professor
Division / Faculty
Science and Engineering Faculty
Associate Professor Geoff Walker
Position
Acting Head of School
Division / Faculty
Science and Engineering Faculty

Overview

It's expected that solar photovoltaics will play an important role in the transformation towards electric mobility, including solar powered electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, as well as (partially or fully) solar powered vehicles.

Solar panels on the surface of an EV can serve as auxiliary power supply. Lightweight vehicles (e.g. commuter solar cars, cargo bikes, etc.), have the potential to considerably add to the EV's driving range and reduce overall charging needs. However, the integration of photovoltaic (PV) systems into EVs poses significant challenges.

This project seeks to develop lightweight, efficient and flexible PV systems to be integrated on electric vehicles.

Research activities

You will study and develop methods for the integration of the PV resource into the electrical system of EVs.

Research topics, depending on your study level and focus, can include:

  • power electronic converter topologies for interfacing the PV panels and the EVs electrical system
  • converter control and Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) considering rapid solar irradiance variations due to the moving vehicle.

Research activities include:

  • literature study
  • circuit and system simulations
  • control design
  • laboratory validation, depending on your preferences and capabilities.

Outcomes

Possible outcomes of this project include:

  • a literature survey on the challenges, requirements, and state-of-the-art solutions for electrical integration of PV into electric vehicles
    • this can include power electronic converter topologies and their control
  • converter topologies that improve upon the current service-oriented architecture (SoA)
  • control and MPPT methods for EV-integrated PV systems.

Skills and experience

To be considered for this project, you should have a background in power electronics and/or control systems. Experience with photovoltaic systems and/or electric vehicles is a plus.

Scholarships

You may be able to apply for a research scholarship in our annual scholarship round.

Annual scholarship round

Keywords

Contact

Contact the supervisor for more information.