Master's thesis; Experimental Commissioning and Performance Testing of Vehicle-to-Grid Operation Using Hardware-in-the-loop
Background
Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) is a technology that allows electric vehicles (EVs) to not only draw power from the grid for charging but also feed stored energy back to the grid, supporting energy balance, grid stability, and renewable integration.
V2G promises valuable grid services, but the gap between theoretical control concepts and actual hardware performance is not fully explored.
Description
The challenge in this thesis work is to experimentally set up hardware in the loop for DC V2G system, and then measure and analyze its real performance under controlled charge/discharge tasks. The EV onboard energy system model and gird operation model are applied in the real time simulation to formulate the system.
An advanced CPU–FPGA configurable real-time simulation hardware platform will be employed in this thesis project, serving as both the controller system and the digital modeling environment for the grid and onboard sides.
Step 1 – Experimental setup
- Physically set up and configure real time simulator hardware and software system to enable V2G operation.
- Execute and run the system in practice to demonstrate stable bidirectional charging in the lab.
- Perform experimental validation to confirm successful commissioning and reliable system operation.
Step 2 – Experimental operation
- Define the V2G bidirectional charge mode and algin with EV and EVSE commucation loop.
- Evaluate how the system tracks applied charge/discharge power commands in real tests (steps, ramps, profiles).
- Measure response times and dynamic behaviors, including latency, rise time, and settling.
- Determine round-trip efficiency, standby losses, and stability limits in real operation.
- Assess the influence of experimental conditions such as SoC level, temperature, and communication latency on system performance.
Key Responsibilities
To achieve a fully commissioned and experimentally validated DC high power V2G system, with concrete measurement results (tracking error, response time, efficiency, stability). The thesis will deliver not only a working setup but also quantitative evidence of system capabilities and limitations.
Qualifications
- Adequate skills
- Basic control systems and power electronics
- MATLAB/Simulink modeling
- Hands-on lab work and data analysis
- Interest in real-time systems and experimentation
Terms
Scope: 30 credits
Start: January 2026
Compensation: 1333 SEK/credit (before tax) For 30 credits: 39990SEK
Welcome with your application!
Deadline for applying is 15 November 2025. Apply without cover letter.
Contact
Jonas Hellgren – RISE jonas.hellgren@ri.se
Xiaoliang Huang – RISE xiaoliang.huang@ri.se
- Category
- Student - Thesis
- Locations
- Gothenburg
- Remote status
- Hybrid
About RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB
RISE is Sweden’s research institute and innovation partner. Through our international collaboration programmes with industry, academia and the public sector, we ensure the competitiveness of the Swedish business community on an international level and contribute to a sustainable society. Our almost 3300 employees engage in and support all types of innovation processes. RISE is an independent, State-owned research institute, which offers unique expertise and over 130 testbeds and demonstration environments for future-proof technologies, products and services.