EV chargers - creating harmonics
Veeraraghavan Vengalathur Srinivasamurthy
Expert in Industrial electrification, from concept to commissioning. Handled Cement, Sugar, Steel, Paper, Chemical, Pharmaceuticals, engineering, food and BMHS Port industry projects.
It is widely acknowledged that the number of electrical vehicles are going to multiply in the near future. In the coming 3 years alone, the volume of the vehicles and the number of charging stations are going to multiply.
All electrical engineers understand that such phenomenal increase in the chargers will create harmonics, ripples and other unhealthy conditions for the grid. This is being observed in several places where more of the EVs are utilized.
This effect is not only making the grid unstable but also affecting the quality of the power that is being provided for public usage. Such improper quality of power will affect all other equipment, their performance and their service life.
So it is important to research, identify and select correct method to reduce the impact on the power system due to the higher usage of Electrical vehicles and their chargers.
My considered suggestion would be to design 3 phase converters for all car battery chargers, instead of single phase charges. Make it mandatory and compulsory to use and install 3 phase socket points and charges with 3 phase converters.
This will eliminate
1. Overloading of any one specific phase,
2. Voltage drop in any one or two phases.
3. Will help Avoid unbalance in the system.
This will also help keep the neutral closer to the earth.
Will distribute the effect of harmonics to all three phases and reduce the impact on any one phase.
People involved in the design and development may kindly consider above suggestion.
Thanks for your time.
Project Manager/Engineer, Power Systems and Simulation
5 年Valid suggestion where Three Phase power is available, which is unfortunately rarely the case for residential or small commercial enterprises. Likewise for street side charging. I don't think that three phase power is that common in small towns for street lighting and such sources. Three phase power is more readily available in larger cities. In cases where three phase power is available, ideally the draw should be higher on the phase that has the highest voltage. This will help with load balance, but not help that much with the harmonics problem.?? The charger could also incorporate filters to reduce harmonics.