Design and Simulation of a Bidirectional DC-DC Converter with PI Controller for Regenerative Braking in Electric Vehicles

Regenerative braking is a technique used to extend the range of Electric Vehicles (EVs), which run on batteries. Regenerative braking may be insensitive or challenging to modulate for smooth, clean braking and stopping. The converter plays a vital role in the implementation of regenerative braking to eliminate the aforesaid problems. This paper proposes a Bidirectional DC-DC Converter operated in Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM) with Proportional Integral (PI) Controller for regenerative braking in EVs. In motoring mode, the bidirectional converter works as a boost converter. In regenerative braking mode, it operates as a buck converter. While the motor receives power from the battery during acceleration and normal operation, during braking or regenerative mode, the motor’s output power is delivered to the battery. In order to ensure that the drive performance meets the necessary standards, the DC-DC converter must primarily fulfill two tasks: i) The battery voltage should be matched with rated voltage of motor;ii) The power flow should be controlled for dynamic conditions. In the current work, the closed-loop operation of a bi-directional DC-DC converter with cascaded PI controller is illustrated for effective regenerative braking in EVs using Matlab simulation.