Yacine SEHIMI, Researcher PhD Candidate, will submit his thesis on 7 July 2022 at 2 PM on “the design of a vehicle-to-vehicle fast charging network and infrastructure based on a shared vehicle fleet“. Sharing would limit the impact of recharging on the grid at times of high electricity demand. The thesis also presents a tool for simulating power control during the transfer between vehicles.
This thesis will take place at T128 – T130, 13 Rue de Toul 59000 Lille.
Academic supervisors and schools/universities
- Vedecom Institute
- Electrical Engineering and Power Electronics Laboratory (L2EP)
- Academic supervisor: Jihen Sakly, Research Engineer at VEDECOM
Composition of the jury
- Rapporteur: Eric Monmasson, University Professor, University of Cergy-Pontoise
- Rapporteur: Marc Petit, University Professor Centrale Supélec
- Examiner: François Costa, University Professor ENS Paris Saclay (SATIE) France
- Examiner: Benoit Robyns, University Professor Junia HEI (L2EP)
- Examiner: Khaled Almaksour, Senior Lecturer Junia HEI (L2EP)
- Examiner: Jihen Sakly, Research Engineer Vedeco Institute
Follow the thesis online
Resume
V2V fast charging enables to recharge an electric vehicle by partially discharging one or several other electric vehicles having an excess of energy. The use of a fleet of carsharing electric vehicles as energy providers allows the carsharing operator to make additional profits when they are not rented.
Moreover, the recharge of the fleet can be achieved at lower power than the V2V power transfer. Therefore the grid connection required to provide fast charging is reduced, which can mitigate the necessary grid upgrades. Besides, the lower power demand of the station could reduce the impact of electric vehicle charging at hours of peak power demand on the grid.
This thesis is a collaboration between Institut Vedecom and L2EP Laboratory. In a first part, the goal is to build a simulation model of the coupled carsharing/V2V system, in order to assess the benefits for the actors of the grid, namely the Distribution System Operator and the Transmission System Operator. In a second part, the design of a power converters architecture to control power flow between the vehicles involved and the grid is proposed and the control strategy is implemented through simulations. Finally an experimental setup of the multi-source DC/DC converter is achieved in order to validate the proposed control strategy.
Keywords : electric vehicle, fast charging, grid services, V2X, multi-source converters, carsharing
Discover in this video the first results of the French team of the European 5G-MOBIX project. This demonstration shows two use cases of 5G for connected and automated mobility.The combination of low latency and very high data rates provides greater reliability and security, even in low visibility or cross-border areas.
Coordinated by VEDECOM, the French trial site of the H2020 5G-MOBIX project tested the contribution of 5G during “infrastructure-assisted advanced driving” and the maintenance of service in cross-border conditions.
Carried out on the Versailles Satory runway, the demonstration presents use cases tested in France and in the Spain-Portugal cross-border corridor: the automated lane change of a level 4 vehicle assisted by the infrastructure when a basic vehicle is inserted; then maintaining connectivity between two networks (TDF and Bouygues).
The French 5G-MOBIX trial site is coordinated by VEDECOM in partnership with AKKA technologies, Valeo, Catapult. TDF contributed its expertise in critical networks and mobile edge computing by equipping the test runaway with a 5G infrastructure.
Watch the video
Learn more about 5G-MOBIX project.
The 5G-MOBIX project aims to evaluate the contribution of 5G on connectivity for Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) services and functionalities, under cross-border conditions. The 5G-MOBIX test sites include two cross-border corridors (Greece-Turkey and Spain-Portugal) and six local test sites in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, China and South Korea. The local sites provide additional and complementary contributions to the cross-border trials
A safe and efficient driving at highway entry for automated vehicles
5G-MOBIX French Trial Site has four members, VEDECOM (leader), Catapult, Akka, and Valeo, and is located in the Paris region. The French Trial Site (FR TS) has been testing a so-called “Infrastructure-Assisted Advanced Driving” CAM use-case, in which the 5G MEC infrastructure guides automated connected vehicle for safe and efficient driving at a highway entry.
A level 4 car with a 5G onboard unit
Several cross-border issues have been tackled by the FR TS with the solutions of multi-PLMN connectivity, predictive quality of service (QoS), Wave connectivity, and satellite-fallback. 5G NSA networks provided by three French telecom operators, Orange, Bouygues and TDF, have been used to test the target use case and the considered solutions.
During the period of the project, the FR TS has deployed two MEC that were installed with a number of software modules, particularly V2X-application server, data fusion, risk assessment, QoS prediction, KPI manager. Six 5G onboard units (OBUs) designed by VEDECOM and VALEO have been integrated in the two level 4 automated vehicle and the two connected vehicles.
Test and trialling in both private and open road, including a cross border corridor
Test and trialling activities of the FR TS started in late 2021 in order to execute a huge number of use-case-specific and agnostic tests cases in closed test tracks and open road. Furthermore, the FR TS made two contributions to the ES-PT cross border corridor:
- test and benchmarking of multi-PLMN connectivity
- contribution to the ES-PT variant of advanced driving use case. The tests at the ES-PT have been conducted in March 2022.
Results and public demonstration on April 21, 2022
The obtained results of the test-cases finalised in France and at the ES-PT CBC show the
benefits of 5G for the target CAM use-case especially the great advantages of multi-PLMN connectivity.
On the 21st of the April, the FR TS has organized its public demonstration event with public authorities, industries, SMEs, and academia. The event consisted of a workshop session, demonstrations, and an unprecedented round-table discussion.
Full review of the day with presentations and replays below:
5G-MOBIX project presentation
General introduction
By Eric Lebeau, CEO of VEDECOM.
REPLAY
Introduction to the European 5G-MOBIX project and the activities of the French site
REPLAY
Other European and French projects focusing on 5G and automated vehicles
Presentations of other 5G projects in which VEDECOM is involved:
REPLAY
Track Demonstrations
- Infrastructure assisted automated lane change at highway entry (demonstration with an L4 automated vehicule prototype)
- Maintaining continuity of service when a vehicle switches from one network to another
- Dynamic quality control of 5G communications
Round table “Vision of 5G and CCAM by the market players”.
An unique round-table discussion with all the players in the value chain: vehicle manufacturers, telecommunication and road infrastructure operators, public transport players.
Moderated by Tony Jaux, President of VEDECOM, VP Innovation at Stellantis and Director of the connectivity program at the French Automobile Platform.
Round-table replay
Around the table:
- Anh Tuc Nguyen, 5G networks and uses Project Manager, French Ministry of Economy, Finances and Recovery
- Emmanuel Micol, Chief Marketing Officer B2B, BOUYGUES
- Ndoffène Diouf, Innovation Officer, TDF
- Guillaume Grollaux, VP Roads and Connected Vehicles division, LACROIX CITY
- Saleh Bensator, Head of connected systems for autonomous mobility, STELLANTIS
- Isabelle Paulin-Jardel, Head of autonomous car partnership, RENAULT
- Thomas de Vial, Segment Chief Engineer, CONTINENTAL
- Sophie de Lambert, Head of Research and Innovation of the Driving Assistant Research entity, VALEO
- Jean-Laurent Franchineau, VP Zero Emissions Strategy, TRANSDEV
REPLAY
Inductive charging is one of the candidate technological solutions for the deployment of the “Electric Road” in France and Europe. It allows electric vehicles to be recharged while driving. The main advantage is the reduction in the size of vehicle batteries while increasing the range of electric vehicles. It is particularly suited to the needs of the logistics sector and long-distance road transport.
Successfull trials
Since a world first in July 2018 as part of the European H2020 project called FABRIC, with two vehicles charging at 20kW while each one is travelling at 100km/h at the same time on a track (American tertiary system), VEDECOM has developed with its partners Renault, Stellantis and EDF, a clean charging technology while travelling by induction at a power of 30kW. The system consists of coils and electronic boxes that must be integrated into the road during its renewal or construction. 30 kW is enough power to recharge a light vehicle on a motorway.
According to the first tests obtained on a test platform, the efficiency obtained is over 90%, which is an excellent rate. Other tests validated compliance with electromagnetic field standards, bearing in mind that the system is secure: induction is only activated when the vehicle passes by and if the communication system recognises and validates the triggering of its recharge. VEDECOM is continuing to develop its system as part of the VERA project (PIA).
Other inductive charging technologies are being tested in Europe, notably the Israeli ElectReon solution: its DWPT (Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer) system is being tested on the 1050m Italian “Arena del Futuro” circuit.
INCIT-EV and Use Case 2 – Demonstration of inductive charging while driving in Paris
VEDECOM will test its technology in an urban area, in Paris, in the second half of 2022, as part of the European INCIT-EV project. INCIT-EV aims to test and evaluate seven different charging technologies. With a budget of €18M, it brings together 33 partners from 8 different countries. The objective is to demonstrate the replicability of these solutions, to guarantee interoperability and to provide a decision-making tool to help make the most appropriate choices for the territories. A project focused on the user experience, to INCITE the use of Electric Vehicles. These experiments have a lot at stake for the deployment of electric vehicles.
A promising technology that requires a collective dynamic
Dynamic contactless recharging promises to be one of the most interesting and interoperable recharging solutions: interoperable from one vehicle to another, but also from one supplier to another.
Aesthetic and sustainable, since it is buried underground, it is perfectly suited to urban environments where the constraints of space dedicated to infrastructure are particularly strong and where speed limits are more conducive to charging. Since we drive slower, we stay longer on the track and therefore recharge for longer. This is also the solution that would be the most widely shared: recharging while driving would solve the problem of the inevitable bottlenecks at the charging stations.
The key to progress is both a dialogue among the players and a political strong will.
>> More info on INCIT-EV Project
Valentin Rigot, doctorant chez VEDECOM dans le domaine Electrification/Electronique de puissance, soutiendra sa thèse le 21 avril 2022 à 10h. Cette thèse concerne le lot 2 du projet HiDePe mené par l’Institut VEDECOM :
Transformateur à air pour un convertisseur dc-dc bidirectionnel haute densité de puissance et haute fréquence pour l’application automobile
le jeudi 21 avril à 10h
Amphi V dans le bÄtiment Eiffel de Centrale Supélec, 3, Rue Joliot-Curie, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
Les travaux présentés contribuent à l’amélioration de la densité de puissance dans les chargeurs embarqués dans les véhicules électriques, en profitant notamment de l’essor des composants semi-conducteurs à grand gap, qui autorisent la réalisation de convertisseurs plus compacts.
- Encadrant académique Pr. Tanguy PHULPIN, CentraleSupélec
- Directeur de thèse : Pr. Daniel SADARNAC, CentraleSupélec
- Encadrant industriel : Dr. Jihen SAKLY, VEDECOM
Attend the thesis defense
Contact : Leyla Habarek Arioua : leyla.arioua@vedecom.fr
Thesis Abstract
The electric vehicle is currently strongly expanding to face climate change. The power density requirements for onboard power are constantly growing and need evolution to go over the present electronic limitation without decreasing the efficiency.
This thesis focuses on modeling, optimization and realization of a high-frequency coreless transformer integrated into a dedicated converter to validate a bidirectional on-board battery charger operating at 1.5MHz.
The work contributes to the increase of the on-board charger power density by taking benefit of wideband gap semiconductors emergence which opens a new range of admitted switching frequency. It consequently offers an opportunity to increase the compacity of the converters.
After a study on high power density transformers and coreless transformers, a highlight of the opportunity that an air-core transformer designed for power density is presented. The high-frequency electrical conductors have also been considered to determine the best one for our application by considering the skin and the proximity effects. The new transformer geometry is the result of an optimization program able to propose the best turns’ positions for minimizing the magnetic emission while ensuring a certain value of self-inductance. This geometry establishes the first technical breakthrough of this thesis.
Several transformers’ trials were realized on 3D printed polycarbonate supports resulting in a 7kW prototype. An electrical, magnetic, and thermal characterization was done on the transformer after its winding process and validate the prediction. Those values were taken for the start point of a dedicated DC-DC topology. The automotive and bidirectional context led us to merge on the Dual Active Bridge converter. The switching frequency was determined to ensure the required power transfer with a soft-switching operation. This frequency value in automotive chargers establishes the second technical breakthrough of this thesis.
After determining the command signals and choosing the required components for the realization of the converter, a ready-to-use inverter branch was chosen to simplify the complexity of construction. A dedicated printed circuit board was realized to link the inverter branch with the DC bus, the transformer, and the command board of the converter. Finally, experimental results on the converter respect the requirement specifications with an efficiency conversion of 96% for a power transfer of 9kW and a switching frequency of 1.5MHz. The final estimated power density is 8.5 kW/L which is higher than the existing power density in the industry.
Some complementary works must be done to validate the prototype in a final application. It is however possible to observe this kind of transformer in an electrical vehicle in the future. The results were indeed in rupture and presents better volume, better thermal management, and better efficiency.
5G for connected and automated cooperative mobility: towards greater safety and efficiency
21 April 2022, 9 AM – 6 PM
Organisation : VEDECOM, Catapult, AKKA Technologies and VALEO
Location: VEDECOM headquarters at mobiLab and Satory tracks, Versailles. 23 bis allée des Marronniers, 78000 VERSAILLES, FRANCE
Parking: parking des Cavalières, located at allée des Marronniers on the left 200 m before the mobiLAB. The gate will be open for the occasion
Booking:
Book my ticket
5G is not a simple evolution of 4G. It is a truly disruptive technology because it can be used in many new applications. Its main benefits: improved broadband, a significant reduction in latency, i.e. the time it takes for data to transit between transmission and reception, and density, which will reduce congestion when too many devices are connected at the same time.
In this context, how will the connected and automated vehicle (CCAD) react? How can it handle network changes, bandwidth fluctuations? What benefits can 5G bring to manage the entry of other vehicles in its lane?
Infrastructure-assisted driving: France’s contributions to the European 5G-MOBIX bix project
The 5G-MOBIX project aims to evaluate the contribution of 5G on connectivity for Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) services and functionalities, under cross-border conditions. The 5G-MOBIX test sites include two cross-border corridors (Greece-Turkey and Spain-Portugal) and six local test sites in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, China and South Korea. The local sites provide additional and complementary contributions to the cross-border trials.
The contributions from the French test site focus on continuity of service and dynamic communication quality in the case of infrastructure-assisted driving. Together with its partners Catapult, AKKA Technologies and VALEO, VEDECOM answers the following questions:
- What happens when a vehicle enters the lane of an automated vehicle from an entry ramp?
- How can the infrastructure help the automated vehicle and through which technologies?
- How can the vehicle adapt to the needs of the use case (lane change), via its 5G communication system (OBU) and via its AD (autonomous driving system)?
- How can the data from the inserting vehicle go up through 5G and be translated into commands that go back down through 5G in the automated vehicle, allowing low latency and high reliability?
- At what level does the fusion of perception data, collision risk analysis, and lane change decision occur?
- What happens when the automated vehicle switches from a 5G Bouygues network to a 5G Orange or TDF network? (hand over)
- To what extent does 5G bring more reliability, better latency and better bandwidth?
April 21, 2022 Event Program
The event on April 21, 2022 will be an opportunity to discover the first tests conducted in France and their results through conferences in the morning and demonstrations in the early afternoon. The day will end with a panel discussion on the challenges and prospects. It will bring together different players involved in the value chain of automated and infrastructure-assisted mobility.
- 9h. Welcome coffee.
- 9h30. Introduction by Eric Lebeau, General Manager of VEDECOM. Context and stakes.
- 9h40. Presentation of the European 5G Mobix project: methodology, key innovations, tests and results of the French site.
- 11h25. Connection with other European and French projects dedicated to 5G: 5G Med project, 5G Meta platform and 5G Open Road experimentation in Paris-Saclay cluster.
- 12:00 pm: Lunch break.
- 13h15. Group departure on foot and demonstration session on tracks:
- Infrastructure assisted automated lane change at highway entry (demonstration with an L4 automated vehicule prototype)
- Maintaining continuity of service when a vehicle switches from one network to another
- Dynamic quality control of 5G communications
- 15h30. Vision of 5G and CCAM by market players. Panel discussion with vehicle manufacturers, telecom and road infrastructure operators, public transport players and territories.
- 16h40-16h50. Conclusion by Tony Jaux, President of VEDECOM, VP Innovation at Stellantis and Director of the connectivity program at the French Automotive Platform.
On-site public event. Replay will be available after online the event
Registration required before April 19, 2022, subject to the agreement of the organizer and conditioned by the capacity of the room
Registration link:
Book my ticket
5G Mobix: a 360° project on the 5G benefits for automated vehicles
5G-MOBIX is a European project funded by the Horizon 2020 program. Its goal is to develop and test automated vehicle functionalities integrating 5G along several cross-border corridors and urban test sites in Europe. These tests are critical to develop technologies to ensure service continuity and system resilience across operators, available networks and bandwidths. These tests take place in all conditions of vehicle traffic, network coverage and service demand. They take into account specific legal, commercial and social aspects.
A large-scale project with 8 test sites and 55 partners
5G-MOBIX brings together 55 ICT industry partners from 10 European countries as well as Turkey, China and Korea.
Eight different test sites will enable a comprehensive evaluation of 5G for connected, cooperative and automated driving (CCAM):
- Six urban test sites: Espoo (Finland, FI), Versailles (France, FR), Berlin and Stuttgart (Germany, DE), and Eindhoven to Helmond (Netherlands, NL), plus two test sites outside of Europe, namely Jinan (China, CN) and Yeonggwang (South Korea, KR).
- Two cross-border corridors: Spain-Portugal (ES-PT) and Greece-Turkey (GR-TR)
The role of VEDECOM and the French experimentation site
VEDECOM is responsible for the overall coordination of the experiments on the various corridors and test sites.
The institute is also piloting the French test site, which aims to test infrastructure-assisted driving in hybrid traffic. The technologies developed will then be tested in real life in March 2022 at the ES-PT cross-border sites of the 5G Mobix project.
For these tests, VEDECOM is providing a fleet of small electric, connected and autonomous vehicles that incorporate an OBU – onboard unit – designed by its teams. The Institute set up the 5G infrastructure and the centralised control centre. VEDECOM addressed the use case of lane changing and seamless connectivity solutions, when the vehicle changes telecommunication operator at the border crossing.
Infrastructure and technical equipment of the French site
The French 5G Mobix site is shared between two sites: the UTAC TEQMO tracks and the Versailles Satory tracks located near the VEDECOM premises. The sites are equipped with 5G networks (commercial or experimental), road infrastructure sensors and equipment for V2X research projects. VEDECOM has several demonstrator vehicles, some of which are fully autonomous.
5G-MOBIX website
This work is a part of the 5G-MOBIX project. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 825496
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