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The paper presents a laboratory test bench specifically designed for sea wave generation systems. In particular a DC Micro Grid is realized to experimentally validate the energy performance of a PM Brushless ball screw actuator, during motor-regenerative operative conditions, which is representative of an oscillating body wave generation system. The proposed architecture is based on a DC bus, which features the integration of renewable energy sources and buffered storage systems, with the aim of smoothing the natural power fluctuations of wave energy generation systems. The wave generation is simulated in laboratory by controlling an electric motor, which is directly coupled with the PM brushless generator. The experimental validation phase is mainly devoted to verify the design criteria of the architecture scheme and the control strategies of the power fluxes related to power converters.

Abstract This paper is focused on the evaluation of theoretical and experimental aspects related to the different operation modes of a laboratory power architecture, which realizes a micro grid for the charging of road electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The analyzed power configuration is based on a {DC} bus architecture, which presents the main advantage of an easy integration of renewable energy sources and buffered storage systems. A first phase of simulations is aimed to evaluate the main energy fluxes within the studied architecture and to identify the energy management strategies, which optimize simultaneously the power requirements from the main grid and charging times of different electric vehicles. A second phase is based on the experimental characterization of the analyzed power architecture, implementing the control strategies evaluated in the simulation environment, through a laboratory acquisition and control system. Then the experimental results coming from the laboratory prototype are compared with the simulation results, in order to achieve a better parameter setting of the simulation model for the analyzed structure. This preliminary analysis makes possible other simulations to be carried out on more complex architecture of micro-grids, taking into account the integration of renewable energy sources and high power buffer storage systems. Particular attention is also given to the analysis of ultra-fast charging operations and the related performance in terms of total efficiency, charging times, total power factor and power requirements from the main grid. This study represents a further step toward the new concept of smart grid scenario for electric vehicles.