在石油價格高漲、都市空氣汙染及全球溫室效應日趨嚴重的情況下，電動車的推廣被個許多國家視為重要的發展政策。但由於目前電動車受限於車價高、充電速度慢、性能尚不足以滿足多數使用者的需求，因此將電動車的推廣目標從一般民眾改為大眾交通運輸業者如:乘計程車，成為許多國家的優先目標。而在台灣由於電動車推廣並不普遍，計程車司機對於電動車並不了解，加上車價較汽油車高，在推廣上更加困難。因此電動計程車的推廣由計程車車隊購買，再以租賃的方式給予計程車司機使用是較為可行的方式，本研究針對電動車與計程車業者的搭配進行探討，並以台灣大車隊為例子作為可行性研究目標。 本研究從計程車司機、計程車車行、乘客、政府，四個腳色下去探討，由對計程車司機的問卷調查及目前車輛使用的方式、與台灣大車隊經營團隊的訪談結果、政府目前對電動車的政策方向及補助、還有各家車廠的電動車技術，從上述這些資訊去分析電動車在台灣作為計程車的可行性，以及可以帶來什麼樣的益處。最後再將電動車和現行汽油車做使用成本的比較，進一步凸顯電動車適合作為計程車使用的特性。 本研究發現: (1) 現行電動車的續航力足夠台灣一般計程車司機使用一整天不須充電。 (2) 在行駛相同的里程數下，電動車的充電費用遠低於汽油價格 (3) 以目前的車輛價格，電動計程車租金可達到計程車司機的接受範圍。(4)長期使用下，以電動車作為計程車的總成本低於使用汽油車，可以增加司機的收入 / In the soaring oil price, increasing urban air pollution and worsening global warming situation, promotion of Electric Vehicle has become an important development policy in many nations. However, many nations have focus and prioritize Electric Vehicle’s development in the public transit vehicle market instead of the consumer vehicle market, such as taxi, due Electric Vehicle’s high retail price, slow charging process and lack of functionality still cannot meet most consumers’ demands. In Taiwan, due to the lack of Electric Vehicle promotion and understanding in all markets and the higher price compared to petroleum-based vehicles, deployment of the aforementioned development policy has encountered more difficulties. Therefore, the more logical approach for Electric Vehicle promotion would be enabling taxi organization to purchase in mass numbers, then rent the vehicle to Taxi drivers. This research focuses on the partnership between the Electric Vehicle industry and the Taxi Organizations, and will focus on the Taxi Organization, Taiwan Taxi, as a feasible research target case study. This research will analyze based on four different roles of the Taxi industry, namely, the Taxi Driver, Taxi Organization, Taxi Customers and the government through: questionnaires that inquire about current vehicle use, interviews that provide insights to Taiwan Taxi’s management directions, documents that highlights government policy directions as well as subsidy on Electric Vehicles, and summaries that provide an understanding of each Electric Vehicle Manufacturers’ technologies. From the above analysis, this research will aim to determine the feasibility of Electric Vehicles as Taxi in Taiwan and the possible benefits of such change. Finally, this research will compare the cost of Electric Vehicle versus current petroleum-based vehicles as an operative cost comparison to further prove that Electric Vehicle is a suitable replacement technology for the Taxi industry. This research has found that: modern electric vehicle’s battery life is sufficient for regular taxi drivers in Taiwan for an entire day without recharge; under the same mileage, the cost of charging an electric vehicle is far cheaper than refilling petroleum; the cost of renting an electric vehicle is in an acceptable range compared to the current vehicle purchase price; in long terms, the cost of electric vehicles as taxi is far cheaper than using petroleum-based vehicles, which can increase the drivers’ profits.

The transportation sector has been identified as one of many sources of today's energetic and environmental problems. With constantly increasing numbers of vehicles on the road, non-renewable fossil fuels are becoming scarce and expensive. In addition, due to the pollutant emissions of internal combustion engines, the transportation sector is a major producer of greenhouse gas emissions. To resolve these problems researcher are looking for technological solutions, such as more efficient components and alternative drive train technologies, on one hand. On the other hand, work is being done to ensure the most efficient utilization of available technological resources. Eco driving is one way to immediately reduce a driver's energy consumption. In this thesis the potential gains of eco driving for passenger vehicles will be discussed. The main objective of this work is to, first, identify and compare drive train specific, optimal vehicle operation. Secondly, the effect of real-life constraints on potential gains of eco driving is evaluated. In addition, an approach to integrate mathematical optimization algorithms in an advanced driver assist system for eco driving is proposed. Physical vehicle models are developed for three representative vehicles: the conventional, electric and power-split hybrid vehicle. Using real-life and standard drive cycles a baseline mission is defined by specifying trip and road constraint. Applying the dynamic programming algorithms the trajectory optimization problem is solved, minimizing energy consumption for the trip. The effect of traffic on potential gains of eco driving is discussed, considering a vehicle following situation. Integrating emission constraints in the optimization algorithm the environmental advantages of eco driving are discussed. Finally, the developed algorithms were integrated in a driver assist system. Experimental tests on a driving simulator were used to verify the effectiveness of the system, as well as driver acceptance.

In design and optimization of a complex system, there exist various methods for defining the relationship between the system as a whole, the subsystems and the individual components. Traditional methods provide requirements at the system level which lead to a set of design targets for each subsystem. Meeting these targets is sometimes a simple task or can be very difficult and expensive, but this is not captured in the design process and therefore unknown at the system level. This work compares Requirements Allocation (RA) with Distributed Value Driven Design (DVDD). A computational experiment is proposed as a means of evaluating RA and DVDD. A common preliminary design is determined by optimizing the utility of the system, and then a Subsystem of Interest (SOI) is chosen as the focal point of subsystem design. First the behavior of a designer using Requirements Allocation is modeled with an optimization problem where the distance to the design targets is minimized. Next, two formulations of DVDD objective functions are used to approximate the system-level value function. The first is a linear approximation and the second is a nonlinear approximation with higher fidelity around the preliminary design point. This computational experiment is applied to a series hybrid vehicle where the SOI is the electric motor. In this case study, RA proves to be more effective than DVDD on average. It is still possible that the use of objectives is superior to design targets. This work shows that, for this case study, a linear approximation as well as a slightly higher fidelity approximation are not well suited to find the design alternative with the highest expected utility.

La conception et la validation d’un nouveau moteur électrique nécessitent d’examiner les comportements dans le temps des différents matériaux d’isolation électrique face aux multiples contraintes qu’ils subissent. Les caractérisations au cours des vieillissements thermiques, hygrothermiques, thermomécaniques et électriques, ont porté sur les matériaux seuls , avec un focus particulier sur les résines d’imprégnation : une à base de polyesterimide et une à base d’époxy chargé, mais également sur les systèmes d’isolation électrique complets. Les autres matériaux sont l’émail des fils de cuivre, constitué de polyesterimide et de polyamide-imide, et deux papiers d’isolation tri-couches à base de Nomex® et de Kapton® pour l’un, et de Nomex® et de PET pour l’autre. Des caractérisations physico-chimiques (suivi de masse, spectroscopies IR et diélectrique, microscopie optique) et mécanique (flexion 3 points) ont permis de mettre en évidence des mécanismes de dégradations des matériaux lors des vieillissements thermiques et hygrothermiques tels que la perte d’adhérence de l’émail ou bien la délamination de la résine époxy. La caractérisation électrique des motorettes par des mesures de décharges partielles, a permis une évaluation des impacts des différents vieillissements et également de les corréler avec certains comportements des matériaux. L’influence de la forme d’onde sur la TADP a été étudiée. Il n’apparait aucune différence significative dans nos conditions entre des mesures sous signaux sinusoïdaux et sous signaux carrés. Les simulations de champs électriques sur les motorettes sont en accord avec les tensions d’apparition de décharges partielles (TADP) mesurées et avec l’influence de la température sur ces TADP. / Design and validation of a new electric motor require an examination of the behavior of the electrical insulating materials under different stresses. Characterizations were performed during aging, thermal, hydrothermal, thermomechanical and electrical, both on the materials, with a special focus on the impregnating resins: a polyesterimide and a filled epoxy, and on models of the electrical system. Other materials have also been characterized such as the enamel covering the copper, with a formulation based on polyesterimide and polyamide-imide, and two 3-layer insulating papers based on Nomex® and Kapton® for the first and on Nomex® and PET for the second. Physicochemical analyses (mass loss, IR and dielectric spectroscopies, optical microscopy) and mechanical characterizations (3-points bending) allowed the identification of the degradation mechanisms during thermal and hydrothermal aging. The effects of the applied stresses on the motorettes were evidenced by measurements of partial discharges. Correlations with the observed behaviors of the materials were underlined, such as the loss of enamel adhesion or the delamination of the epoxy resin. The influence of the waveform on the PDIV has also been studied and it revealed no significant difference between sinus wave and square wave. Simulations of electric fields on the motorettes are in agreement with the measurements of partial discharge inception voltages (PDIV) and with the influence of temperature on these PDIV.

Le raccordement des systèmes PV ou des systèmes de recharge des VE au réseau peut avoir des impacts sur le fonctionnement du réseau:• Variation de tension• Déséquilibre de tension entre phases• Impact du caractère intermittent de la ressource solaire• Impact du caractère aléatoire des systèmes de recharge des VE• Injection d'harmoniques de découpage au réseau si les onduleurs ne sont pas munis de filtres efficaces• Interactions harmoniques entre onduleurs à travers le réseau• Injection de courant continu au réseau• Courants de fuite• Impact sur les pertes• Impact sur la congestion en cas de recharge des VE…C'est pourquoi, l'objectif de cette thèse est de développer les stratégies de contrôles/commandes intelligents pour les onduleurs PV et les systèmes de recharge des VE de afin de- réduire le coût total du système PV ou du système de recharge,- augmenter la performance des onduleurs PV raccordés au réseau- augmenter le taux de pénétration des systèmes PV ou de recharge des VE- assurer la continuité de service- participer au réglage de tension et de fréquence du réseau- contribuer à la stabiliser le réseau en cas nécessaire- améliorer la qualité de l'énergie- éviter les congestions…Dans le cadre du travail, la définition des services apportés par systèmes PV ou les systèmes de la recharge des VE est nécessaire. Ces services que les systèmes PV ou les systèmes de recharges qui peuvent apporter au réseau, sont élaborés dans un but prospectif : respect du plan de tension par régulation, absorption/production de puissance réactive selon le besoin, tenue aux creux de tension, amélioration de la qualité.Les études concernées :- Etude des interactions (impacts) entre les onduleurs PV et le réseau- Etude des interactions (impacts) entre les onduleurs de la recharge des VE et le réseau- Définition des services apportés par ces systèmes- Développement et modélisation d'un onduleur bidirectionnel- Développement des systèmes de contrôle/commande intelligent pour ces services:o Réglage de tension. Gestion de congestion. Amélioration de la qualité (ex : harmoniques). Capacité de tenue aux creux de tension. / The connection of PV systems or EV charging systems may impact on the operation of the electrical network:• Voltage variation• Voltage unbalance between phases• Impact of the intermittent nature of the solar resource• Impact of the random nature of EV charging systems• Harmonic injection in the network• DC injection network• Leakage currents• Impact on loss• Impact on congestion in case of EV charging ...Therefore, the objective of this thesis is to develop strategies to control / intelligent controls for PV inverters and charging systems for EVs to- Reduce the total cost of the PV system or charging system,- Increase the performance of PV inverters connected to the network- Increase the penetration of PV or EV charging- Ensure continuity of service- Participate in the regulation of grid voltage and grid frequency- Contribute to stabilize the grid- Improving the quality of energy- Avoid congestions...As part of the work, the definition of services provided by PV systems or EV charging systems is required. These services PV systems or systems that can provide to the network, are developed in a prospective: regulation of the voltage plan, absorption / reactive power as needed, withstand voltage dips, improving quality. Studies concerned:- Study of interactions (impacts) between PV inverters and network- Study of interactions (impacts) between the inverters and EV charging network- Definition of the services provided by these systems- Development and modeling of a bidirectional inverter- Development of control systems / intelligent control for these services: Voltatge controlo Management of congestiono Improved quality (eg harmonics). Ability to ride-through voltage dips.

La simulation de systèmes d'énergie est un outil important pour la conception, le développement et l'évaluation de nouvelles architectures et des contrôles grille dans le concept de réseau intelligent pour les dernières décennies. Cet outil a évolué pour répondre aux questions proposées par les chercheurs et les ingénieurs dans les applications de l'industrie, et pour offrant des différentes alternatives pour couvrir plusieurs scénarios réalistes.Aujourd'hui, en raison des progrès récents dans le matériel informatique, la Simulation numérique en temps réel (DRTS) est utilisée pour concevoir des systèmes de puissance, afin de soutenir les décisions prises dans les systèmes de gestion de l'énergie automatisés (SME) et de réduire le délai de commercialisation de produits, entre des autres applications.Les simulations de réseaux électriques peuvent être classées dans les catégories suivantes: (1) la simulation analogique (2) hors simulation de ligne (3) de simulation entièrement numérique (4) la simulation rapide (5) Contrôleur Hardware-In-the-Loop (CHIL) et (6) Puissance Hardware-In-the-Loop (PHIL).Les dernière 3 sont axés sur la simulation Real-Time hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL RT-). Ces catégories portent sur les questions liées à Transitoires électromagnétiques (liste EMT), la simulation de phaseurs ou mixte (phaseur et EMT). Comme mentionné ci-dessus, ces progrès sont possibles en raison de l'évolution des architectures informatiques (matériels et logiciels); Cependant, pour le cas particulier de l'analyse des flux de puissance des réseaux de distribution (DS), il y a encore des défis à résoudre.Les architectures informatiques actuelles sont composées de plusieurs noyaux, laissant derrière lui le paradigme de la programmation séquentielle et conduisant les développeurs de systèmes numériques pour examiner des concepts comme le parallélisme, la concurrence et les événements asynchrones. D'autre part, les méthodes pour résoudre le flux de puissance dynamique des systèmes de distribution considérer le système comme un seul bloc; ainsi, ils utilisent une seule base pour l'analyse des flux de puissance, indépendamment de l'existence de plusieurs cœurs disponibles pour améliorer les performances de la simulation.Répartis dans des procédés en phase et de la séquence, ces procédés ont en caractéristiques communes telles que l'examen d'une seule matrice creuse pour décrire les DS et qu'ils peuvent résoudre simultanément une seule fréquence.Ces caractéristiques font dès les méthodes mentionné sont pas appropriées pour le traitement avec multiple noyaux. En conséquence, les architectures informatiques actuelles sont sous-utilisés, et dégrade la performance des simulateurs lors de la manipulation de grandes DS échelle, changer DS topologie et y compris les modèles avancés, entre autres des activités de la vie réelle.Pour relever ces défis Cette thèse propose une approche appelée A-Diakoptics, qui combine la puissance de Diakoptics et le modèle de l'acteur; le but est de faire toute méthode classique d'analyse de flux d'énergie appropriée pour le traitement multithread. En conséquence, la nature et la complexité du système d'alimentation peuvent être modélisées sans affecter le temps de calcul, même si plusieurs parties du système d'alimentation fonctionnent à une fréquence de base différente comme dans le cas de micro-réseaux à courant continu. Par conséquent, l'analyse des flux de charge dynamique de DS peut être effectuée pour couvrir les besoins de simulation différents tels que la simulation hors ligne, simulation rapide, CHIL et PHIL. Cette méthode est une stratégie avancée pour simuler les systèmes de distribution à grande échelle dans des conditions déséquilibrées; couvrant les besoins de base pour la mise en œuvre d'applications de réseaux intelligents. / Simulation of power systems is an important tool for designing, developing and assessment of new grid architectures and controls within the smart grid concept for the last decades. This tool has evolved for answering the questions proposed by academic researchers and engineers in industry applications; providing different alternatives for covering several realistic scenarios. Nowadays, due to the recent advances in computing hardware, Digital Real-Time Simulation (DRTS) is used to design power systems, to support decisions made in automated Energy Management Systems (EMS) and to reduce the Time to Market of products, among other applications.Power system simulations can be classified in the following categories: (1) Analog simulation (2) off line simulation (3) Fully digital simulation (4) Fast simulation (5) Controller Hardware-In-the-Loop (CHIL) simulation and (6) Power Hardware-In-the-Loop (PHIL) simulation. The latest 3 are focused on Real-Time Hardware-In-the-Loop (RT-HIL) simulation. These categories cover issues related to Electromagnetic Transients (EMT), phasor simulation or mixed (phasor and EMT). As mentioned above, these advances are possible due to the evolution of computing architectures (hardware and software); however, for the particular case of power flow analysis of Distribution Systems (DS) there are still challenges to be solved.The current computing architectures are composed by several cores, leaving behind the paradigm of the sequential programing and leading the digital system developers to consider concepts such as parallelism, concurrency and asynchronous events. On the other hand, the methods for solving the dynamic power flow of distribution systems consider the system as a single block; thus they only use a single core for power flow analysis, regardless of the existence of multiple cores available for improving the simulation performance.Divided into phase and sequence frame methods, these methods have in common features such as considering a single sparse matrix for describing the DS and that they can solve a single frequency simultaneously. These features make of the mentioned methods non-suitable for multithread processing. As a consequence, current computer architectures are sub-used, affecting simulator's performance when handling large scale DS, changing DS topology and including advanced models, among others real life activities.To address these challenges this thesis proposes an approach called A-Diakoptics, which combines the power of Diakoptics and the Actor model; the aim is to make any conventional power flow analysis method suitable for multithread processing. As a result, the nature and complexity of the power system can be modeled without affecting the computing time, even if several parts of the power system operate at different base frequency as in the case of DC microgrids. Therefore, the dynamic load flow analysis of DS can be performed for covering different simulation needs such as off-line simulation, fast simulation, CHIL and PHIL. This method is an advanced strategy for simulating large-scale distribution systems in unbalanced conditions; covering the basic needs for the implementation of smart grid applications.

Cílem práce byl návrh a implementace řídicích algoritmů pro optimalizaci spotřeby energie elektrického vozidla. Hlavním úkolem byla optimalizace rozložení energie mezi hlavním zdrojem energie (bateriemi) a super-kapacitory v průběhu jízdního cyklu. Jízdní výkonový profil je odhadován a předpovězen na základě 3D geografických souřadnic a matematického modelu vozidla. V první části jsou uvedeny komponenty vozidla a jejich modely. Poté jsou představeny algoritmy na základě klouzavého průměru a dynamického programování. Byly provedeny simulace a analýzy pro demostraci přínosů algoritmů. V poslední části je popsána Java implementace algoritmů a také aplikace pro operační systém Android.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / Quando um conversor opera com uma larga diferenÃa entre os nÃveis de tensÃo de entrada e de saÃda, normalmente à possÃvel identificar uma reduÃÃo significante no seu desempenho. A razÃo disto à o aumento da quantidade de energia processada, que primeiramente precisa ser armazenada em um elemento passivo (indutor), antes de ser entregue à carga. à possÃvel dizer que quÃo maior for a quantidade dessa energia âindiretaâ, menor serà a eficiÃncia do sistema. Tal situaÃÃo à especialmente crÃtica para inversores e retificadores com correÃÃo de fator de potÃncia (PFC), visto que a razÃo cÃclica dos interruptores abrange praticamente todos os possÃveis valores. Em casos em que a diferenÃa entre o valor de pico da tensÃo CA e o valor mÃdio da tensÃo CC à grande, o Ãndice de modulaÃÃo à desviado consideravelmente de 1 e, consequentemente, maiores perdas sÃo esperadas. Para lidar com tal situaÃÃo, à proposto um retificador com caracterÃstica abaixadora e elevadora utilizando uma funÃÃo chamada de bypass. Esta funÃÃo permite que o retificador escolha entre os dois barramentos o que melhor se adapta ao nÃvel de saÃda desejado em funÃÃo do ponto de operaÃÃo da tensÃo senoidal de entrada, maximizando a eficiÃncia. Algumas das vantagens esperadas com a utilizaÃÃo da funÃÃo bypass sÃo: reduÃÃo das perdas totais por meio da operaÃÃo parcial com estÃgio Ãnico; maior nÃmero de nÃveis de tensÃo, reduzindo a corrente de modo comum e o volume do filtro de entrada, alÃm de resultar em menores esforÃos de tensÃo sobre os semicondutores; e, finalmente, reduÃÃo de perdas adicionais e no tamanho do sistema, visto que o conversor Buck de saÃda à projetado para apenas uma fraÃÃo da potÃncia total. Em adiÃÃo, sÃo apresentadas possÃveis configuraÃÃes de conversores de potÃncia para o carregamento de baterias de veÃculos elÃtricos. Topologias de retificadores trifÃsicos com PFC com corrente de entrada senoidal e tensÃo de saÃda controlada sÃo analisadas e propostas, e suas funcionalidades e caracterÃsticas bÃsicas descritas brevemente. FÃrmulas analÃticas para o cÃlculo dos esforÃos de tensÃo e corrente sobre os semicondutores de potÃncia sÃo fornecidas. A fim de avaliar comparativamente o desempenho das topologias selecionadas, fatores adimensionais de referÃncia sÃo definidos com base nos esforÃos elÃtricos sobre os semicondutores e no volume dos indutores. As caracterÃsticas do sistema proposto, incluindo princÃpio de operaÃÃo, estratÃgia de modulaÃÃo, equaÃÃes de dimensionamento e cÃlculos de perdas e eficiÃncia, sÃo descritas em detalhes. Finalmente, a viabilidade do conceito de bypass à demonstrada por meio de resultados experimentais obtidos a partir de um protÃtipo de 22 kW. / When operating with large differences between input and output voltage levels, it is normally possible to identify a significant reduction on the performance of practically all topologies in regard of conversion efficiency. Reason for this is the increasing amount of processed energy that needs to be firstly stored in a passive element (inductor) before reaching the load. It is therefore possible to say that the higher the amount of such âindirectâ energy is; the lower will be the converter efficiency. Such situation is especially critical when considering the operation of inverters or controlled rectifiers with power factor correction (PFC) because the converter sweeps practically all the possible values of duty cycle. In the case the difference between peak AC value and DC value is large; the modulation index will strongly deviate from 1. Consequently, even higher amount of losses are expected. In order to deal with the above referred drawbacks, it is proposed a 5-level three-phase PFC rectifier with an innovative approach, named bypass concept. This function allows the converter to switch between one of the available DC-links that best matches the required output levels depending on the operating point of the sinus wave, thus maximizing the efficiency. Furthermore, the referred bypass function enables direct access to the required lower voltage level by the load, reducing significantly the amount of losses. The 5-level operation allows the voltage steps to be lower than those found in three and two-level topologies, from where lower harmonic contents, reduction of common mode current and EMI are observed. Finally, the output DC-DC converters are designed for only a fraction of the nominal power, having a rather reduced impact on additional losses and also on the converter size. In addition, possible power electronics configurations for charging of EVs are presented. Suitable three-phase PFC rectifier topologies with sinusoidal input currents and controlled output voltage are analyzed and proposed, and their functionality and basic characteristics briefly described. Analytical formulas for calculating the current stresses on the power semiconductors are provided, and in order to evaluate comparatively the performance of selected topologies, dimensionless benchmark factors are derived concerning the semiconductor stresses and the volume of the main inductive components. The characteristics of the proposed system, including the principle of operation, modulation strategy, dimensioning equations and calculated losses and efficiency, are described in detail. Finally, the feasibility of the bypass concept is demonstrated by means of experimental results obtained from a 22 kW hardware prototype.

La topologie onduleur à six bras associé à une machine triphasée à phases indépendantes a la propriété de d'offrir, dans le cadre applicatif de l'automobile, une double fonctionnalité, traction et chargeur forte puissance. Cet avantage nécessite, par contre, le contrôle des composantes homopolaires classiquement nulles lors de la présence d'un couplage en étoile. Cette thèse propose alors, d'une part une étude et une modélisation des onduleurs multi-bras et, d'autre part, développe des stratégies de contrôle-commande adaptées à la présence des grandeurs homopolaires. Les algorithmes de commande classiques de l'onduleur sont comparés et une stratégie vectorielle originale, dite Z-SVM permettant d'annuler le courant homopolaire haute fréquence, est développée. Enfin, il est montré comment la gestion des composantes homopolaires aux valeurs moyennes permet d'accroître les performances de l'ensemble à faible comme à haute vitesse, en jouant sur les zones avant et après défluxage des caractéristiques couple-vitesse. Les solutions proposées sont validées sur un banc expérimental composé d'une machine prototype spécialement développée pour une application automobile et alimentée par un onduleur six-bras commandé par des composants de type FPGA. Les stratégies proposées sont comparées en termes de performances et de complexité algorithmique. / For an automotive application, a six leg-VSI connected to a three-phase open-end winding machine has the ability to offer a dual-function. In this case, an additional zero-sequence component, usually absent when a star-coupling is used, needs to be controlled. Firstly, a study, modeling and control of a multi-leg inverter are proposed. Secondly, control structures capable of handling the presence of zero-sequence components are investigated. The conventional control algorithms applied to the inverter are analyzed and an original vector control strategy, called Z-SVM, capable to cancel the high frequency zero-sequence current is developed. Finally, it is shown how the management of the zero-sequence components enhances the performance of the drive at low as well as at high-speed, corresponding on the areas of the torque-speed characteristics before and after flux weakening. The proposed solutions are validated on an experimental test bench consisting of a machine prototype especially developed for automotive application and powered by a six-leg inverter controlled by an FPGA-based device. The proposed strategies are compared in terms of performance and computational complexity.

The transport sector is making slow progress towards sustainability, particularly given the urgency and scale of the sustainability challenges associated with the sector and the number of solutions that exist. This thesis uses a three-phase research methodology to identify and provide guidance to help address the barriers preventing the expansion of one of the most rapidly growing transportation alternatives: electric vehicles. The engagement of stakeholders can act as a strategic point of intervention to address these barriers and facilitate the regional market introduction of the technology. A process was therefore developed to help project management in the pre-project planning phase to address the key challenges to engagement that are commonly experienced on electric vehicle projects. The process combines a Strategic Sustainable Development approach with Best Practice for Engagement. Information was sourced from literature and interviews with experts in electric vehicles, stakeholder engagement and Strategic Sustainable Development. Initial feedback from testing the process on an electric vehicle project indicates that this guidance is timely and likely to become widely applicable on similar projects in the future.