Abstract

This thesis explores vehicle-to-load (V2L) solutions to provide emergency power for elevators during outages and ensure continuous operation. The study discusses traditional renewable energy technologies, EV traction batteries, and mobile battery packs as reliable backup systems, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Two battery models are developed and validated against experimental data to assess their ability to replicate real-world performance.
A gearless elevator system, powered by a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) and elevator drive, is simulated under realistic conditions. The Nissan Leaf’s 24 kWh traction battery serves as the primary emergency power source, with a pre-charging circuit and three-phase inverter including an LC filter and transformer, validated through MATLAB Simulink simulations and experiments, delivering a 600 V RMS line-to-line output suitable for elevator operation across the battery’s voltage range.
Alternative configurations are investigated to enhance flexibility and efficiency, including a boost converter-based Nissan Leaf design, a high-voltage (1300 V) mobile battery pack with NMC cells, and the Ford F-150 Lightning’s 9.6 kW Pro Power Onboard system. Simulations confirm their feasibility, though the Ford system is limited to elevators with motors rated 6.4 kW or less. Challenges such as battery management and protection are addressed with modular packs and relay-based charging.
The research demonstrates the potential of EVs and mobile battery packs as viable emergency power sources for elevators. Future work includes practical implementation, lifecycle assessments, and real-world testing to validate performance and scalability.