← Back to all projects

Smart EV Charger with Reactive Power Compensation

Abstract

The increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) presents both an opportunity and a challenge for existing power grids. While EVs can help reduce carbon emissions, their charging cycles introduce significant, often unpredictable loads that can lead to grid instability, particularly in terms of reactive power demand and voltage fluctuations. This paper presents the design, fabrication, and testing of a smart EV charger prototype with integrated reactive power compensation capabilities. The proposed system utilizes a bidirectional converter topology controlled by a Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) algorithm. The controller dynamically adjusts the reactive power exchange with the grid, aiming to maintain a unity power factor and stabilize local voltage levels during the charging process. The hardware was fabricated using carefully selected power electronic components, and the control logic was implemented on a microcontroller. Experimental results demonstrate that the smart charger can effectively charge an EV battery while simultaneously providing reactive power support, thereby improving the power quality and stability of the local grid. This functionality is particularly crucial for grids with high penetration of renewable energy sources and increasing EV adoption.

Learn More