New EV charging technology under testing at VNIT

The Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) Nagpur, in collaboration with Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), USA, is developing a cutting-edge power electronic transformer known as the Smart Solid-State Transformer (SST).

This advanced technology, under development at VNIT's Power Electronics Research Laboratory (PERL), claims to be game-changer in the electric vehicle (EV) charging sector.

American academic Jih Sheng Lai from Virginia Tech, spent a month at VNIT as part of the project. Speaking to TOI, Lai explained the advantages of SSTs over traditional transformers.

"Unlike conventional transformers, which are bulky and lack DC ports for modern grids, SSTs provide DC ports and allow bidirectional power flow control with renewable energy integration," Lai said.

He claimed that the technology has the potential to transform energy efficiency in EV charging and microgrid applications due to their lightweight design and high power density.

However, he noted that the technology is still under development and not yet ready for mass production. "Extensive testing, including high-voltage isolation, circuit training, and safety evaluations, is required to ensure reliability," Lai added.

The VNIT team, led by assistant professor Pradyuman Chaturvedi, developed a multi-voltage, bidirectional 25 kW SST designed for a five-port EV charging infrastructure. "If one port isn't active, its power can be redirected to the remaining active ports, optimizing energy use," Chaturvedi said. The prototype, created in VNIT's PERL laboratory, has been deployed at IIT Bombay for testing.

"Extensive testing, including high-voltage isolation, circuit training, and safety evaluations, is required to ensure reliability," Lai added.

The project is funded under the Fulbright-Nehru Specialist Program initiative, with Lai providing VNIT students with theoretical knowledge and practical insights into power electronics and SST development.