Lightning Threats to Electric Vehicles Charging Station

Abstract:
Electric vehicles (EVs) are truly groundbreaking innovations in the realm of transportation, promising to lead the charge towards a more environmentally sustainable future. As the popularity of EVs continues to soar, the demand for charging stations will undoubtedly rise. However, it's important to recognize that EV charging stations are susceptible to damage from lightning strikes, highlighting the need for effective protection measures. To address this concern, a well-designed Lightning Protection System (LPS) is crucial. To evaluate the efficacy of such a system, a simulation was conducted using Simulink/MATLAB to model a level 2 EV DC fast charging station with a 90kW output. Lightning current was introduced into the charging station at different points to analyse the readings before and after a simulated lightning strike. The Heidler formula was employed to shape the lightning current profile. The study emphasized the necessity for an appropriate LPS for EV charging stations, as the simu-lations indicated that induced currents could potentially reach damaging levels of approximately 7 kA. Therefore, it's essential to implement an LPS incorporating the rolling sphere method, a well-designed earthing system, and Surge Protective Devices (SPDs) with a minimum capacity of 20 kA to effectively mitigate the risk of lightning-induced damage.