ADVANTICS at CharIN Testival October 2023: Pioneering Bidirectional Charging

In October 2023, ADVANTICS proudly participated in the CharIN Testival to further test our implementation of AC and DC ISO15118-20, including TLS 1.3 and the high-level communication stack for both the SECC (Supply Equipment Communication Controller) and the EVCC (Electric Vehicle Charge Controller).

Key Objectives

During this testival we wanted to test our ISO15118-20 implementation against more players in the market, including both AC and DC charging, and to ensure the robustness of our TLS 1.3 layer and high-level communication stack. The Testival also provided an excellent opportunity to showcase and test ADVANTICS’ innovative bidirectional DC <> AC monophase power module, the VG11, through an ingenious integration.

Bridging the Gap: EVSE Systems and Bidirectional Vehicle Simulation

One challenge at the Testival was the imbalance between the number of EVSE systems and EVs, with a notable absence of bidirectional DC EVs. To address this gap, ADVANTICS decided to participate not only as an EVSE system but also as an EV simulator.

The Bidirectional Vehicle Simulator

We built a bidirectional vehicle simulator using our EVCC, which has supported ISO15118-20 since 2022. Instead of an actual EV battery, we repurposed our VG11 bidirectional power module built for DC bidirectional Wallboxes, capable of 11kW DC <> 1ph AC power conversion. With its wide range of voltage (200V-920V) the VG11 can simulate all possible EV battery voltages. The 11kW bidirectional module, designed for a compact size and high efficiency (>97%), was seamlessly integrated into a small enclosure with a vehicle CCS inlet, current & voltage sensor and EV contractors.

Thanks to the pre-integrated interface for isabellenhuette sensor and built-in control of the contactors, we only had to develop an interface for the the VG11 power module and send the necessary control commands during the charge session to successfully simulate a battery and allow the power flow in both directions. The VG11’s control software and a BMS software simulation were easily developed and integrated into the EVCC, thanks to its flexible system and user-friendly CAN bus-based API.

A nice UI to simulate a real vehicle’s dashboard was also developed to provide comprehensive and clear overview of the charge session’s parameters.

Enabling Realistic Testing for EVSE Participants

Given the lack of available bidirectional EVs, same as ADVANTICS many EVSE participants supporting ISO15118-20 DC faced challenges testing their implementations. ADVANTICS’ “Bidirectional DC vehicle” provided these participants with the unique opportunity to test their ISO15118-20 implementations with actual power flow.

Collaborative Success

This testival allowed companies like Vector and Pionix to conduct their first real CCS ISO15118-20 DC tests, enabling them to evaluate and refine their implementations. For ADVANTICS, these interactions were invaluable, as they allowed us to further enhance the reliability and robustness of our software.

Conclusion

ADVANTICS’ participation in the CharIN Testival October 2023 highlighted our commitment to advancing bidirectional charging technology. By providing a critical testing platform for ISO15118-20 implementations, we not only validated our own solutions but also contributed to the broader EV charging ecosystem, driving innovation and collaboration within the industry.