Practical Application of Renewable Energy Technology

Practical Application of Renewable Energy Technology 1
PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGY
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Practical Application of Renewable Energy Technology 2
Electric & Hybrid Vehicle: An evaluation on current battery types and charging methods.
Emerging Energy Technology
Electric vehicles are a new emerging technology that is currently being used in both the
power and transportation sector. This is due to the several benefits that portray to the
environment as well as the economy. The past decade has therefore witnessed an increased
attention towards electric vehicles mainly because of their explicit characteristics that other
conventional vehicles cannot offer. An increased deployment of electric vehicles can help lower
the total intake of fossil fuel hence will also lower the greenhouse emission. Most importantly,
due to its increased energy efficiency, it is possible to achieve a reduced running cost as
compared to other conventional internal combustion engine vehicles (Arai et al, 2015). Till now,
there are only 4 different types of electric vehicles that have been developed and are fully
running. They include; plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), fuel-cell electric vehicle
(FCEV), conventional hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and battery electric vehicle (BEV). The
conventional hybrid electric vehicle combines internal combustion engine and electric motor,
therefore, it is also fitted with a battery in order to power the motor and also store electricity. The
energy that powers the motor is generated from the engine as well as the regenerative breaking
(Bauerle et al, 2011).
One major vital component of electric and hybrid electric vehicles is the battery
management system (BMS). The main aim of the battery management system is to assure safe
and reliable operation of the battery. In order to maintain the reliability as well as safety of the
battery, evaluation and state monitoring, cell balancing and charge control are the main
functionalities that have been put in place in the battery management system. Being an

Practical Application of Renewable Energy Technology 3
electrochemical product, the battery performs differently when under varying conditions of the
environment. Batteries are a main source of energy that is widely used in several applications
from electric vehicles to portable electronics (Blanke et al 2015). The performances of the
batteries therefore have a huge effect on the salability of the electric vehicles. Manufacturers
therefore are looking for breakthroughs in the battery management systems as well as the battery
technology.
Types of battery for PHEVs and BEVs
An electric vehicle battery is a battery that is used to power the propulsion of both plug-in
hybrid electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles. Vehicle batteries re commonly used as a
secondary battery and they often vary as compared to other starting, lighting and ignition
vehicles (SLI) due to the fact that they are developed to provide more power over longer time
periods. For instance, deep cycle batteries are the most used batteries for the BEVs and PHEVs.
Such batteries are often characterized by their specific energy, increased power to weight ratio as
well as energy density (Cao & Emadi, 2012).
The most common types of battery for BEVs and PHEVs include lead acid, lithium ion,
ultra capacitors and nickel metal hydride. Lithium ion batteries are the most commonly used due
to their increased energy per unit mass that is relative to other electrical energy batteries. It has
higher energy efficiency, increased power to weight ratio and reduced self-discharge. Nickel
metal hydride batteries provide reasonable specific power and energy capabilities. They have an
increased life cycle than other batteries. They are the most commonly used batteries in plug-in
hybrid electric vehicles. They however have a high cost and have an increased self-discharge as
well as generation of heat at high temperatures (Karner & Francfort, 2011). Ultra capacitors store

Practical Application of Renewable Energy Technology 4
energy in a polarized liquid between an electrolyte and an electrode. They can offer extra power
during hill climbing and acceleration and also assist recovery of braking energy.
Types of battery chargers
An electric vehicle battery charger is a blend of electronics that are used for recharging
the banks of the battery in an electric vehicle or a plug in hybrid electric vehicle. An electric
vehicle charger can be installed in offices, houses, public places and shopping centers in order to
allow the owners of the electric vehicles to charge their EVs or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles
(HEVs). There are two types of charging that are reliant on the method of energy transfer, either
inductive or conductive. The conductive type of battery chargers has a connection of direct plug
to the supply through the use of an extension power cord that is plug into the EV from the wall
outlet. It is very common, has a simple design and has a greater efficiency (Kutt et al, 2013). The
inductive type EV battery charger makes use of magnetic coupling as the main method of
transferring energy. By the use inductive chargers, a station of charging is used to transmit high
current and voltage directly from the grid to an inductive pad or paddle that has electro-magnet
that can be used as half a transformer. The other half of the transformer is located within the EV
and the moment there is full contact between the magnets, current will flow across and into the
battery hence the battery is charged at an increased rate as a result of the connection of charging
stations direct power grid (Majeau-Bettez, Hawkins, Strømman, 2011).