Fault-Tolerant Control of Solid-State Transformers for EV and Renewables

Solid-state transformers (SSTs) are becoming key enablers in future power systems where renewable energy integration and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure must work seamlessly together. With their advanced control capabilities and compact structure, SSTs offer efficient interfacing between distributed renewable generation, the grid, and EV charging systems. However, the complexity of their power electronic architecture introduces vulnerability to faults, which can compromise system stability and disrupt critical services such as vehicle-to-grid (V2G), grid-to-vehicle (G2V), and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) operations. This research proposes the development of advanced, fault-tolerant control strategies for SSTs deployed in renewable-powered EV charging networks.

The focus of the study is to design robust control frameworks that can maintain safe and stable operation of SSTs under various fault scenarios affecting their internal converters (AC/DC, DC/DC, DC/AC) or external disturbances. The control system will include real-time fault detection, isolation, and dynamic reconfiguration strategies integrated into the SST’s control layers. These mechanisms will allow continued operation or safe fallback modes during partial failures, avoiding full system shutdown and ensuring uninterrupted services such as G2V charging or V2G power injection.

The control design will also address the coordination between SSTs and multiple power flows, including from the grid, solar PV, stationary batteries, and EVs, while maintaining voltage regulation, harmonic control, and protection coordination. Particular emphasis will be placed on how SSTs can dynamically prioritize and balance energy exchange among EVs and the grid, especially during abnormal or faulted conditions. The solution will be validated through case studies reflecting real-world use cases such as community-level solar-EV hubs and fast-charging stations with embedded V2G functionality.

This research aligns with Australia’s push toward low-emission transport and distributed energy management, a priority at Deakin University, and complements IIT Madras’s expertise in EV-grid integration and advanced power converter control. The project’s outcomes will contribute to the development of intelligent, resilient SST-based systems that support reliable EV charging and renewable energy utilisation in future distribution networks.