• Energy Research

This paper investigates the wireless power transfer (WPT) system incorporation into dc microgrids applications. Emphasis is given on the mathematical analysis of the series–series (SS) WPT system for constant voltage source loading conditions that cannot be effectively described by the equivalent constant resistance model. For this reason, the complete harmonic analysis is considered in this paper in order to study the real operational characteristics of SS-WPT systems that interface to a dc bus. The proposed system interconnects a dc bus with various distributed energy sources, while the ability of constant power generation behavior of the proposed system is revealed and examined for various SS-WPT system parameters’ values, highlighting its advantageous characteristics for distributed energy exploitation. Additionally, the incorporation of the SS-WPT system in distributed energy sources exploitation offers reduced wiring complexity and installation flexibility. Experimental and simulation results are presented, validating the theoretical analysis.

In this work, the development of an energy recovery control unit to be incorporated in the light-emitting diodes (LEDs) lighting systems of heavy-duty vehicles is presented. This innovative industrial product adopts modern power electronics technology to improve existing trucks’ LED lighting system by eliminating the so far inevitable power consumption by the conventional central control unit of the majority of these vehicles, which is obligatory for the uninterruptable operation of their lighting system. The main idea of this innovative product is its capability to virtually increase the lighting system power consumption without actually consuming this amount of energy, thus facilitating the central control unit requirements regarding these vehicles in an energy-conscious way. Under this light, a mature power converter’s topology is employed to draw the proper amounts of power from the vehicle’s batteries supply, to the level that the central control unit recognizes, and return this energy back to the batteries. The tests results of the developed industrial product highlight the energy saving potential of the proposed energy recovery scheme, while the Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) results confirm its techno-economical and environmental profit for the truck applications under study.