RT23 | Emulating EV Charging Performance using Real-Time Simulation

High Power Charging (HPC) systems and vehicles capable of charges rates ≥200KW are being widely deployed. HPC solution performance is not well studied and charge profiles vary greatly depending on the equipment involved. The US Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technology Office has sponsored the NextGen Charge Profiles project to further understanding of the most recent technological capabilities of the electric mobility industry related to charging performance, grid impact modeling, DC HPC system control strategy development and understanding of constraints and interaction between the EV, EVSE and charging controls. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has developed a novel vehicle charging simulator utilizing Opal-RT HIL FPGA-Based Real-Time Simulators that decouple EVSE charging performance from EV charging performance. The simulator was envisioned to provide simulated vehicle charging capability that is adaptable, mobile and cost-effective and is used to collect data that documents unique operating parameters of equipment selected for study under a variety of nominal and off-nominal operating conditions. This project will provide critical inputs to ongoing efforts to model electrified transportation systems, battery design, standardize best practice and develop grid energy management systems. This presentation will summarize initial results and findings to be published in an interim report in January 2024.