Simulation of Solar Powered EV Scooter

Venkata Subrahmanya Sai Mungi Srinivas Paruchuri Naga Sankara Vara Prasad Urrinkala
Student, Dept. of EIE Assoc. Prof., Dept. of EIE Student, Dept. of EIE
V. R. Siddhartha Engg. College V. R. Siddhartha Engg. College V. R. Siddhartha Engg. College
Vijayawada, India Vijayawada, India Vijayawada, India
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Satya Sai Katragadda Veera Kumari Battula

Abstract—The fast headway of electric vehicles (EVs) is reshap- landscape by examining the possible advantages, difficulties,
ing transportation with its guarantee of diminished fossil fuels and possibilities related to SPES [11].
and expanded supportability. Among EVs, electric bikes have
picked up ubiquity due to their reasonableness, productivity,
and ease of utilize in urban situations. In this consider, this II. L ITERATURE SURVEY
paper propose a recreation demonstrate for a solar-powered EV
Scooter (SPES), pointing to survey its achievability, execution, • CHERGUI Hicham et al (2018) report referred to acquire
and natural affect. The recreation exhibit coordinating different knowledge on controlling of solar panel. In order to
variables counting solar panel productivity, battery capacity, bike power an electric scooter’s brushless DC motor (BLDC)
flow, climate conditions, and client behavior. By recreating the
scooter’s operation over time, this paper assess its vitality uti- engine, a photovoltaic generator will be connected to a
lization, run, and charging designs beneath distinctive scenarios boost DC/DC converter that is managed by Maximum
with MATlab Simulink software and obtain reliable outcomes Power Point Tracker (MPPT) and uses a storage system
and graphs. with a li-ion battery [12].
Index Terms—SPES, EV, PV array, BLDC motor, DC-DC • This document presents the findings from the 2020 report
Boost converter, MPPT controller, MatLab Simulink, simulation,
by H. Balaji et al. on regenerative electric scooters that
charging station.
use solar panels to convert sunlight into electric energy,
which is then stored in batteries via a solar controller.
I. I NTRODUCTION When the connected dynamo breaks, electricity is pro-
duced and stored in the battery, increasing the combined
Electric scooters in particular are becoming more popular electric efficiency by 30% [13].
because they are environmentally benign and practical for city • This study by Boumediene et al. (2020) investigates
commutes [1] [2]. Still, a barrier is the inadequate infras- an electric scooter’s multisource solar powertrain. The
tructure for charging. By combining renewable solar energy, system uses backup battery storage in addition to PVG
solar-powered electric scooters (SPES) present a promising solar panels as the main power source. Power transfer
alternative that may increase range and lessen reliance on the between these sources and the motor drive is controlled
grid [3]. by a DC/DC converter. A buck-boost converter controls
Numerous variables, including battery capacity, user behav- the battery, while a boost converter makes sure the
ior, weather, and solar panel efficiency, affect the viability solar panels work well. The goal of this arrangement is
and efficacy of SPES [4]. Through simulation modeling, the to supply the scooter’s energy needs while minimizing
potential of SPES is investigated in this study [5] [6]. The strain on the solar panels. The goal of the research is
simulations take into account real-world factors like weather, to simulate this system and assess the efficacy of its
geography, and user habits in order to evaluate energy con- energy management and control method under varied load
sumption, range, charging patterns, and overall performance scenarios [14].
under various scenarios [7] [8]. • The limitations of solar EV charging stations in in-
The goal of this study is to add insightful knowledge to clement weather or periods of high demand are noted by
the continuing conversation about environmentally friendly Choroszucho et al. (2022). For dependable operation, they
transportation options [9] [10]. The study aims to provide guid- suggest connecting to the grid, but doing so negates some
ance for future research, development, and implementation environmental advantages. On the other hand, energy
efforts toward a cleaner and more sustainable transportation storage necessitates significant upfront expenditures and
 meticulous planning yet permits autonomous operation
and 100% solar utilization [15].
• According to a study by Kudelina et al. (2020), various
bearing problems in electric scooter motors result in
distinct vibration patterns. These patterns can be used
to accurately determine the kind and extent of bearing
damage. Of particular interest is the amplitude of the
fundamental frequency. As a result, it is no longer neces-
sary to identify certain harmonics over a larger frequency
range [16].
• A unique technique for estimating the torque of an elec-
tric scooter utilizing Space Vector Modulation Control Fig. 1. Block diagram of solar powered EV scooter.
(SVM-DTC) is proposed by Chergui Hicham et al. in
2021. This method has multiple benefits: more dynamic A. Solar Panel Array
performance for the scooter, less motor problems, and
greater current quality. SVM-DTC is a good fit for The fundamental components of solar panels, photovoltaic
smart mobility applications in urban settings because it (PV) cells, transform sunlight directly into DC electricity that
facilitates effective battery management as well [17]. may be used. These silicon-based solar cells take advantage of
• For electric scooters, Sultoni et al. (2022) planned and the PV effect. Electrons in silicon are excited by sunlight and
constructed a PV on-grid charging station. The station move to a higher energy level. The cell’s internal movement
has an AC-DC converter, charger controller, and invoicing generates an electric current. Still, a whole circuit is necessary.
system in addition to a rooftop solar array with a 1.2 kW By creating a conduit for electron movement between the
peak power. Their test using a 64V-23Ah battery pack positive and negative terminals of the PV cell and an external
demonstrated that solar energy can provide up to 33% of circuit, light energy can be converted into DC electricity. This
the total power needed for charging. Depending on the is the mechanism by which solar radiation is converted into
intended level, different charging times were required: electrical power by solar panels.
50 minutes for 53% to 90% SOC and 180 minutes for a B. MPPT Controller
complete charge. Using e-money for self-service billing An MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracker) controller is
took roughly three minutes [18]. essential for optimizing the output of solar panels. There is a
particular voltage (MPP) at which solar panels function best.
III. P ROPOSED M ETHOD To make sure the system operates at the MPP, the MPPT
controller dynamically adjusts the operating point of the panel
This Paper discloses the problem of lack charging sta- based on constant monitoring of its voltage and current. This
tions,the proposed solution for electric scooters is to attach optimization ensures that the system maximizes solar power
solar panel to the scooter. Sunlight would power the solar harvesting under variable variables such as temperature and
panels, producing electricity that could power the scooter. This radiation levels.
would enable the scooter to be charged anywhere, independent
of the presence of charging stations. SPES can provide a C. DC-DC Converter (Boost)
renewable and sustainable solution to the lack of charging DC-DC boost converters are essential components of solar
stations. The scooter can be equipped with solar panels to energy systems because they maximize power transmission for
collect solar energy and utilize it to power the vehicle. This battery charging. Solar arrays inherently produce a low DC
makes it possible to charge the scooter anywhere, regardless voltage, while electric vehicle batteries necessitate a higher
of the availability of charging stations. voltage for efficient energy storage. By strategically increasing
the voltage output, DC-DC boost converters bridge this gap,
IV. BLOCK DIAGRAM OF SPES facilitating an effective and seamless power flow to the battery.
This enables the system to maximize captured solar energy and
Fig. 1 presents a functional block diagram of a SPES. Each translate it into usable stored power.
block represents a critical component that contributes to the D. Battery
overall operation of the vehicle:
The battery, which stores the DC electricity produced by
• Solar panel array solar panels throughout the day, is the fundamental component
• MPPT controller of a solar energy system. It provides this stored energy, like
• DC-DC Boost converter to a reservoir, when required, for example, to charge an
• Battery electric car (EV). The entire energy storage and, eventually,
• Voltage controller the electric vehicle’s range on a single charge are determined
• BLDC motor by the battery’s capacity. Since lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries
 Fig. 2. Circuit of SPES.

Fig. 3. Circuit of MPPT controller. Fig. 4. Circuit diagram of Boost converter.

Fig. 5. Circuit diagram of BLDC Motor. Fig. 6. Circuit diagram of Hall sensor Decoder. Fig. 7. Circuit diagram of Gates.

are widely used in portable electronics and have found success E. Voltage Controller
in EVs and grid storage, Li-ion batteries are the clear choice
for this application due to their exceptional performance. A voltage controller plays a pivotal role in regulating the
BLDC motor’s speed by providing a controlled voltage source.
This control strategy directly translates to adjustments in physical prototypes. This iterative design approach helps
the motor’s rotational speed (RPM). The PID (Proportional- ensure that the final SPECS prototype meets or exceeds
Integral-Derivative) controller is a prevalent choice due to its its predicted and calculated specifications.
effectiveness and responsiveness in speed control. The PID
gains (Kp, Ki, Kd) are meticulously calibrated to meet specific TABLE I
requirements. While initial tuning might involve an iterative S PECIFICATIONS OF PV ARRAY
approach, more advanced techniques can be employed for Maximum Power 17.25W
optimal gain selection, ensuring superior performance and Cells per module 39
minimizing trial-and-error efforts. Open circuit voltage Voc (V) 12V
Short-circuit current Isc (A) 2A
F. BLDC Motor Voltage at maximum power point Vmp (V) 11.5V
Current at maximum power point Imp (A) 1.5A
For EVs, three-phase brushless DC (BLDC) motors are
essential because they work with the pulsed DC power source
of the vehicles. These incredibly effective motors are available Fig. 2 illustrates the overall circuit schematic for the (SPES).
in single- or three-phase designs, and both are well-liked a) Circuit of SPES: The solar panel array uses sunlight
for their functionality. In terms of mechanics, they can be to generate electricity, and the intensity of the sun directly
divided into two groups: outrunner motors, in which the rotor affects the amount of electricity produced.To charge the battery
rotates the casing, and inrunner motors, in which the rotor is efficiently, the voltage, current, and power values are taken as
housed inside the windings. A Hall effect sensor and carefully indicated in Table. I. A half-wave rectifier replicates the daily
positioned coils (A, B, and C) allow a three-phase BLDC cycle of the sun, and an MPPT controller optimizes power
motor to determine the exact magnetic location of the rotor. output in different scenarios. The converter then increases the
The motor controller needs this information in order to figure voltage of this optimum power to facilitate effective battery
out the best order for energizing the coils and producing charge and scooter operation. When there is enough sunshine,
torque. The energy consumption of a BLDC motor increases the enhanced voltage powers the BLDC motor directly and
proportionately with the applied load, as is the case with all charges the battery, which is the scooter’s main energy storage
motors. device. The engine is powered by the battery during times of
darkness.
V. S IMULINK M ODEL b) MPPT Controller circuit: Fig. 3 depicts the MPPT
In the development phase of the SPECS prototype, a simu- controller operation. It receives voltage and current measure-
lation model plays a critical role in achieving optimal perfor- ments directly from the photovoltaic (PV) array. Based on
mance. By constructing a virtual representation of the BLDC these inputs, the controller calculates and outputs the duty
motor’s electrical circuit and operational characteristics, the cycle for the boost converter. The duty cycle is a pulse-
simulation model allows engineers to test and refine the design width modulated (PWM) signal, essentially a series of on
iteratively before committing to physical construction. This and off periods. By adjusting the duty cycle, the MPPT
approach minimizes the risk of errors and streamlines the controller regulates the power output of the PV array. To
development process. MATLAB Simulink is a particularly achieve consistent power output and generate the necessary
well-suited tool for this purpose, offering a comprehensive PWM pulses, a MATLAB function block is employed.
suite of tools and libraries. c) Boost Converter circuit: The DC-DC boost converter,
MATLAB Simulink boasts several advantages that make it shown in Fig. 4, uses a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal
ideal for BLDC motor design simulations: from the MPPT controller to increase the voltage from the
• Real-world Equivalents: The software incorporates li- solar panels. The switch that regulates the inductor’s current
braries that contain models of real-world electrical com- flow is under the control of this signal. The inductor stores
ponents, facilitating the creation of an accurate represen- energy while the current increases during the ”ON” phase
tation of the BLDC motor’s circuit. of the switch. A diode transfers the stored energy of the
• Simplified Design: The graphical user interface allows for inductor to the output when the switch is turned ”OFF,” raising
intuitive connection of these components, streamlining the voltage. This increased voltage is further smoothed by a
the model building process. capacitor. The precise values of the inductor (microhenries,
• Data Visualization: Simulation results are presented in µH) and capacitor (millifarads, mF) determine the ultimate
clear graphical formats, enabling engineers to easily output voltage level.
analyze motor performance metrics like output torque Formula for Inductor and Capacitor Values;
and efficiency. This comprehensive data visualization V ip(V op − V ip)
capability is crucial for evaluating design decisions and L= (1)
F sw ∗ δI ∗ V op
identifying areas for improvement.
Iop(V op − V ip)
By leveraging simulation models within MATLAB C= (2)
Simulink, engineers can gain valuable insights into BLDC F sw ∗ δV ∗ V op
motor behavior before investing time and resources into In Eq. 1 & Eq. 2,
 Fig. 8. Irradiance of Sun during day & night. Fig. 9. PV array output.

Fig. 10. MPPT controller output. Fig. 11. Boost Converter output.

Fig. 12. State of charge percentage while charging and discharging.

L = Inductance, µH; C = Capacitance, mF; Vip = Input BLDC motor to precisely determine the magnetic position of
Voltage, V; Vop = Output Voltage, V; Iop = Output Current, the rotor. These sensors identify the position of the permanent
A; Fsw = Switching Frequency, Hz; δV = Ripple Voltage, V; magnets on the rotor with respect to the stator coils (A, B, and
δV = Ripple Current, A. C). Making use of this positional data, the control system gates
d) BLDC Motor circuit: Central to the scooter’s drive- the coils in a deliberate manner, progressively energizing them
train is the brushless DC (BLDC) motor seen in Fig. 5. The in order to produce the required magnetic field interaction and
battery or the solar panel array can be used to power this power the motor as depicted in Fig 7.
motor. Hall effect sensors in Fig. 6 are used by the three-phase The BLDC motor’s operational outputs typically include:
 as would be expected from a standard 12V DC, 2A,
20W solar panel. Additionally, the simulated values
nearly match actual data from a panel that is identical,
confirming the accuracy of the selected model and the
usefulness of the simulated PV array.
3) MPPT controller output:
The boost converter’s simulated pulse-width modulated
(PWM) signal, produced by the MATLAB algorithm, is
shown in Fig. 10. The duty cycle of this signal ranges
from 0 to 0.95. This duty cycle is dynamically adjusted
by the MPPT controller to optimize the power output of
Fig. 13. BLDC motor output with both battery and PV array sources.
the PV array. In order to maximize power transfer from
the PV array to the boost converter, the on-times are
• Stator currents (is a(A), is b(A)): These readings repre- purposefully longer than the off-times. This is a crucial
sent the currents flowing through each of the stator coils component of a successful MPPT controller.
(A, B, and C). 4) Boost converter output:
• Stator back EMF (e a(V)): Back electromotive force The boost converter receives its maximum output volt-
(EMF) is a voltage induced in the stator coils due to age from the MPPT controller, as depicted in Fig. 11.
the motor’s rotation. Rotor speed (rad/s): This output The voltage is raised by this converter to a point where
indicates the rotational speed of the motor shaft in radians the battery and the BLDC motor may both be pow-
per second. ered. Effective voltage supply is ensured by the boost
• Electromagnetic torque (Te (N*m)): This value represents converter’s output voltage, which precisely matches the
the torque generated by the motor, measured in Newton- MPPT controller’s output. The simulation results in this
meters (Nm). instance show how a 15V, 20A source may be increased
to 24V and 25A, highlighting the converter’s efficiency
VI. R ESULTS AND D ISCUSSION
in producing a suitable power source.
Simulation execution for a duration of T = 10 seconds, the 5) State of charge percentage while charging and discharg-
behavior of each circuit component is captured using oscillo- ing: Models of solar-powered electric scooters (SPES)
scopes as highlighted in green in Fig. 7. These oscilloscopes are validated by simulations. The relationships between
display graphical representations of various parameters over the battery, solar panels, and motor are faithfully por-
time (seconds). The behaviour of each component is observed trayed in the model. Solar-powered battery charging is
with respective to the circuit sources and specifications as well one of the main priorities.
as conditions as follows: Energy is stored in a 12V-2A lithium-ion battery. Fig. 12
Mainly there are 6 stages they are shown below depicts the system behavior is dictated by its State of
1) Irradiance of Sun during day & night. Charge (SOC).
2) PV array output. Solar panels use the sun’s energy to charge batteries.
3) MPPT controller output. On the other hand, the battery discharges to power the
4) Boost converter output. engine in the absence of sunshine. This cycle is repro-
5) State of charge percentage while charging and discharg- duced in the simulation. The graph displays decreasing
ing. SOC when the motor is powered on and increasing SOC
6) BLDC motor output with PV array source. during charging. The accuracy of the model is validated
1) Irradiance of Sun during day & night: by this correlation.
The simulated irradiance profile, which replicates the 6) BLDC motor output with PV array sources: The per-
actual pattern of sunshine intensity throughout the day, formance of BLDC motors with high and low power
is shown in Fig. 8. The progressive increase in sunlight sources under varying operating circumstances is shown
at dawn, which peaks around noon, is shown by the in Fig. 13. This differentiation facilitates comprehension
graph’s rising slope. After midday, a descending pattern of motor action in various contexts of power availability.
indicates the waning light intensity before evening. The Overspeeding may result from the solar panel array’s
zero-value segment, which represents nighttime or times high irradiance surpassing the motor’s capacity. On the
of significant cloud cover when little to no sunlight other hand, restricted battery power at zero irradiance
reaches the solar panels, is the last one. guarantees motor control.
2) PV array output: The behavior of the BLDC motor when powered by solar
Fig. 9 shows a direct relationship between the output energy is shown in Fig. 14 (15V-20A pre-boost, 24V-
voltage, current, and power of the photovoltaic (PV) 25A post-boost). Although torque, RPM, back EMF,
array and the simulated irradiance. These output charac- and motor currents seem normal, they change when
teristics climb in proportion to the simulated irradiation, the battery is replaced by solar power. Interestingly,
 Fig. 14. BLDC motor output with PV array source.

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