Work

Hierarchical Control System for a Multi-Port, Bidirectional MMC-Based EV Charging Station: A Model-in-the-Loop Validation

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The increasing demand for high-power electric vehicle charging systems with Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) capability highlights the need for modular, scalable power converters. This paper proposes a hierarchical control strategy for a high-power, multi-port electric vehicle charging station. The system, based on a Series-Parallel Modular Multilevel Converter (SP-MMC) with isolated modules, is managed by a coordinated control strategy that integrates proportional-integral-resonant regulators, nearest-level control with voltage sorting, and single-phase-shifted modulation. The proposed system enables simultaneous, independent regulation of multiple bidirectional, isolated direct current ports while maintaining grid-side power quality and internal variables of the SP-MMC. The proposed control is validated using real-time Model-In-the-Loop (MIL) simulations that include sequential port activation, bidirectional power flow, and charging operation. MIL results demonstrate stable operation with controlled DC-link voltage ripple, accurate per-port current tracking, and near-unity grid power factor under multi-port operation.

Source: Processes

DOI: 10.3390/pr14020384

Authors: Tomas Ravet, Cristobal Rodriguez, Matias Diaz, Daniel Velasquez, Roberto Cárdenas, Pat Wheeler

Institutions: Universidad de Santiago de Chile, University of Chile, Universidad Andrés Bello, University of Nottingham

Language: English

Topic: Multilevel Inverters and Converters

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896