Hybrid Energy Harvesting to Support Auxiliary Sources in Electric Vehicles

Abstract: This paper illustrates an energy harvesting system for auxiliary power in electric vehicles (EVs) that employs solar panels on the roof and piezoelectric generators in the wheel rims. These energy sources are managed by a Single Inductor Dual Output (SIDO) converter, which distributes the harvested energy between the auxiliary battery and the load. By powering auxiliary systems with the combined renewable resources, this system reduces the EV’s reliance on its primary traction battery, increasing overall energy efficiency. An AI-based closed-loop controller regulates the SIDO converter’s output voltage, ensuring that the auxiliary battery charges consistently and efficiently under varying load conditions. This regulation enhances battery performance and ensures a consistent energy supply to auxiliary loads. The suggested approach maximizes the use of harvested energy, lowering the load on the traction battery and improving EV energy management. It provides a scalable, efficient approach for improving EV energy efficiency, lowering energy consumption, and increasing driving range. The entire system is simulated with MATLAB- Simulink software to validate the design and assess its performance.