Megawatt Charging System (MCS)
Sahil Taksali
Product Manager | Home Energy | E-Mobility | Automotive | ISTQB & SCRUM Certified | Toastmaster
In the ever-evolving landscape of electric vehicles (EVs), one of the critical factors influencing their widespread adoption is charging infrastructure. To meet the growing demand for faster and more efficient charging, and to satisfy the market?demand of the Truck and Bus industry to charge electric heavy-duty vehicles within a reasonable time, Megawatt Charging Systems have emerged as a groundbreaking solution. These systems represent a significant leap forward in EV charging technology, offering rapid charging capabilities on an unprecedented scale. The MCS is rated for the highest charging rate of 3.75 megawatts (3,000 amps at 1,250 volts direct current (DC).
?
In 2018, CharIN initiated the?Task Force “Megawatt Charging System (MCS)”?to invent a holistic system approach based on the Combined Charging System CCS. The CharIN organization is working to advance the MCS connector with the goal of making it a universally accepted charging connector for large and medium commercial vehicles, whether they are on land, water, or in the air, but other large vehicle charging interfaces are also developing and being put into serial production.
The following mission statement guided the formation of the CharIN Task Force Megawatt Charging System (MCS), “Work out requirements for a new commercial vehicle high power charging solution to maximize customer flexibility when using fully electric commercial vehicles. The scope of the technical recommendation is to be limited to the connector, and any related requirements for the EVSE, the vehicle, communication, and related hardware.”
Design Requirements
The design requirements of the MCS are as follows :
?
Although the initial focus of MCS was mostly on large trucks and buses, it is intended for Class 6, 7, and 8 commercial vehicles. There are also possible MCS applications for the aerospace (e-VTOL,?e-Planes, etc.) and marine (tug-boats, e-Ferries, river cargo vessels, etc.) industries. It is mostly utilized in large battery electric vehicles (BEVs) that have enormous battery packs and the capacity to take charge rates greater than 1MW.
The Combined Charging System’s (CCS) integrated system approach must be followed by the Megawatt Charging System (MCS). Maximum use of the existing CCS basic elements and its related standards, in relation to the enormous quantity of CCS engineering expertise, secures quality and shortens time to market. For market introduction and market stability, compatibility will be a crucial success factor.
Communication Requirements
·????? Charging Communication - Physical Layer
The Megawatt Charging System (MCS) offers up to six times higher current and ten times higher power compared to CCS, but this increase in power raises electromagnetic interference (EMI) concerns. Traditional single-ended Power Line Communication (PLC) is deemed inadequate for handling this EMI surge. CharIN's evaluation of communication technologies led to the recommendation of a differential PLC design, which significantly enhances electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). This approach also reduces the need for signal level attenuation characterization (SLAC) and extensive calibration, making it more robust and efficient. CharIN underscores the importance of unified differential signaling and native TCP/IP support for future standards to ensure interoperability and simplify system implementation, particularly in cases where CCS and MCS coexist.
领英推荐
·????? High-Level Communication Application Protocol
ISO 15118, a well-established standard, has seen various subgroups working on different implementation aspects. ISO 15118-2, widely used in the charging industry, had limitations due to inconsistent interpretations and implementations. Other DIN and SAE protocols were used, but they had more constraints and loose interpretations. The need for addressing complex use cases, including secure payment handling, fleet charge management, vehicle-to-grid power export, led to the development of ISO 15118-20, available since early 2022. ISO 15118-20 offers numerous improvements, making it the most comprehensive and robust global communication protocol. CharIN recommends exclusive use of ISO 15118-20 for MCS, ensuring the highest user experience and security, eliminating older protocols.
?
Charger Manufacturing Companies with Megawatt Charging Solutions
Several leading charger manufacturing companies have developed Megawatt Charging Systems to meet the fast-growing demand for high-capacity EV charging infrastructure. Some of these companies include:
Link to my other articles: