Integration of renewable energy sources using multiport converters for ultra-fast charging stations for electric vehicles: An overview

The rise of electric vehicles (EVs) necessitates an efficient charging infrastructure capable of delivering a refueling experience akin to conventional vehicles. Innovations in Extreme Fast Charging (EFC) offer promising solutions in this regard. By harnessing renewable energy sources and employing sophisticated multiport converters, EFC systems can meet the evolving demands of EV refueling. A single-stage topology simplifies the converter design, focusing on efficient DC-AC conversion, vital for feeding solar power into the grid or charging stations. It provides power factor correction, harmonics filtering, and mitigates power quality issues, ensuring stable and efficient operations. Converters with Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) capability facilitate the efficient integration of solar PV systems in charging stations, ensuring maximum solar energy utilization for EV charging. The ability to operate in different modes allows seamless integration with energy storage systems, storing excess solar energy for use during night-time or peak demand periods, enhancing overall efficiency and reliability. Advanced converters support bidirectional energy flow, enabling EV batteries to discharge back to the grid, aiding grid stability and energy management. However, robust control algorithms are needed to handle dynamic conditions like partial shading more effectively. Our review focuses on integrating renewable energy sources with multiport converters, providing insights into a novel EV charging station framework optimized for EFC topology. We highlight the advantages of multiport non-isolated converters over traditional line frequency transformers, particularly in medium voltage scenarios, offering enhanced efficiency and versatility for EFC applications.