HOD Corner
It gives me immense pleasure to present the July
2026 edition of the Electrical Engineering Department Newsletter. The beginning
of the academic year has been marked by renewed enthusiasm, purposeful
engagement, and several initiatives aimed at strengthening our students
academically, professionally, and personally.
This month, we witnessed a vibrant blend of
industry interaction, skill development, academic excellence, alumni
engagement, and social responsibility. The industry expert session on
distribution infrastructure and policy provided our students with valuable
insights into the relationship between engineering, policy, and real-world challenges.
The inauguration of the Skilling Program on Electric Vehicle Technology further
strengthened our commitment to preparing students for emerging technologies and
future career opportunities.
I am particularly happy to see our students being
recognized for academic excellence, receiving guidance from our distinguished
alumni, gaining hands-on experience through internships, and participating in
initiatives beyond the classroom. The Guru Purnima celebration and tree
plantation activity reflect the values of gratitude, responsibility, and social
commitment that we strive to nurture in our students.
Our alumni continue to be an important bridge
between academia and industry. Their interactions with students provide
authentic perspectives on professional life and help our students understand
the skills and competencies required to succeed in the workplace.
The student article on Electric Vehicles, Power
Electronics, Battery Management, and Sustainable Mobility is another
encouraging example of our efforts to promote technical curiosity and
research-oriented thinking among students.
As we move forward into Academic Year 2026–27, our
focus remains clear: to create an environment where every student learns,
explores, innovates, collaborates, and grows with confidence. I encourage our
students to make the most of every opportunity, develop a habit of continuous
learning, and connect their classroom knowledge with real-world applications.
I congratulate all students, faculty members,
alumni, and the newsletter team for their valuable contributions to this
edition. Let us continue our collective journey towards excellence in
education, innovation, research, industry engagement, and responsible
engineering.
Department Events
Powering Perspectives: Industry Expert Session on Distribution Infrastructure & Policy
On 24th July 2026, the Department of Electrical
Engineering had the privilege of hosting an insightful session by Mr. Ankur Kawale, Chief Engineer
(Distribution), MSEDCL, Mumbai.
Mr. Kawale shared valuable perspectives on a recent public notice
inviting stakeholder suggestions for formulating guidelines on land and space
requirements for substations, transformers, and allied electrical
infrastructure. His session beautifully connected technical concepts with
regulatory frameworks and real-world challenges in power distribution.
Students gained a deeper understanding of how engineering
decisions are influenced by policy, planning, and societal needs, along with
the importance of active stakeholder participation in shaping infrastructure
development. We sincerely thank Mr. Kawale for his time and for inspiring our
students with practical insights from the power sector.
Inauguration of the Skilling Program on Electric Vehicle Technology
We successfully
inaugurated the Skilling Program on Electric Vehicle Technology today, marking
an important step towards empowering students with future-ready skills in
sustainable mobility. The program was inaugurated at the hands of Shri
Amitabh Sinha and Prof. Prasad Joshi. The day began with an insightful
first session by Prof. Prasad Joshi, followed by an engaging and
industry-oriented session by Shri Amitabh Sinha. Adding a practical dimension,
the third session was conducted by our students, where they showcased and
explained the electric vehicle developed by them—a proud moment for the
department! The entire program is being
effectively coordinated by Dr. Abhishek Srivastava, whose efforts are
instrumental in making this initiative impactful.
Guru Purnima Celebration by EFFECT Student Body
On 29th July
2026, the EFFECT Student Body of the Department beautifully celebrated Guru
Purnima by expressing gratitude to all the teachers of the department and
institute.
Through
heartfelt wishes and by seeking blessings, students acknowledged the invaluable
guidance, knowledge, and inspiration imparted by their mentors.
Such moments
truly reflect the strong bond between teachers and students and uphold the rich
tradition of respecting our Gurus.
Student Corner
Celebrating Success, Honoring Support
The parents of
our students — Deore Bhuvanesh, Avishkar Gurgude, Mansi Shinde, Pramod Kurhade,
Siddhi Karhad, Ekata Jamdhade, and Atharva Bhosale — were felicitated at the
Training and Placement Cell on 10th July 2026, in recognition of their wards’
successful placements in multinational companies. This occasion was a heartfelt
acknowledgment of the constant encouragement, values, and support provided by
the parents, which play a crucial role in shaping students’ achievements The program was graciously attended by Dr.
Pramod Shahabadkar Dr. Ravindra Munje, Dr Prashant Kushare, Dr. Vandana Bagal
and Dr. Saravanan S. We extend our
heartfelt congratulations to all the students for this remarkable
accomplishment and wish them great success in their professional journey ahead.
Industry Connect: Faculty Visit to BOOST ELECTRONICS, Ambad!
On 15th July, faculty members from the Department of Electrical
Engineering, Dr. Ravindra Munje, Prof.
Rupali Milind Patil, Prof. Merin John, and Dr. Shashank Tripathi — visited
BOOST ELECTRONICS, Ambad. The visit was aimed at reviewing the performance and
progress of our students currently undergoing internships at the organization.
It provided a valuable opportunity to interact with both the interns and
industry professionals, understand real-world expectations, and ensure
meaningful industry-academia collaboration.
We are happy to see our students gaining hands-on experience and
contributing effectively in a professional environment. Such visits strengthen
our commitment to bridging the gap between classroom learning and industry
practices.
Strengthening Industry–Academia Collaboration at Powerinst Electromagnets!
As part of our continuous industry engagement, Prof. Rupali Milind Patil and Prof. Merin
John visited Powerinst
Electromagnets Pvt. Ltd., Nashik on 17th July. During the visit, they
interacted with Mr. Archit Kulkarni
and reviewed the work and learning progress of our interns at the organization.
The interaction provided valuable insights into industry practices and helped
strengthen the institute–industry connection. Such visits play a vital role in
ensuring meaningful internship experiences and aligning academic learning with
real-world applications.
New Beginnings, New Aspirations: Welcoming Third-Year Students!
The start of a new academic year is more than just the
resumption of classes—it is a renewed commitment to inspire, guide, and empower
our students for the journey ahead.
The Department of Electrical Engineering warmly welcomed
our Third-Year students on the very first day of the academic year with a small
gesture—a flower symbolizing encouragement, positivity, and new beginnings.
During the interaction, we shared the vision and mission
of our institute and department, outlined our academic goals, and highlighted
key initiatives focused on holistic student development. We reaffirmed our commitment
to providing quality education, mentorship, internships, skill development
opportunities, and career guidance. At the same time, we emphasized that
dedication, discipline, consistency, and hard work are the true drivers of
success.
We also had the privilege of felicitating students who
demonstrated exceptional academic performance in the previous year:
• Shivdarshan
Kondekar
• Vivek Rajgure
• Avadhuth
Bodke
• Shantanu
Pawale
• Aditi Chavan
• Sakshi Gunjal
• Aarya Dharkar
• AFFAN SHAIKH
• Purva Rane
• Aaditya
Tayade
Our collective goal remains clear—to empower every
student with the knowledge, skills, values, and confidence required to build a
successful career and emerge as responsible professionals. Wishing all our
students and colleagues a successful, productive, and inspiring Academic Year
2026–27.
New Beginnings, New Aspirations: Welcoming Second-Year Students!
The Department of Electrical
Engineering warmly welcomed our Second-Year students on the very first day, 9th
July 2026, of the new academic year with a small gesture—a flower symbolizing
encouragement, positivity, and new beginnings.
We also had the privilege of felicitating students who
demonstrated exceptional academic performance in the previous year:
Congratulations to all of you—your hard work is an
inspiration to your peers!
Our collective goal remains clear: to empower every
student with the knowledge, skills, values, and confidence required to build a
successful career and emerge as responsible professionals.
Wishing all our students and colleagues a successful,
productive, and inspiring Academic Year 2026–27!
Empowering Future Researchers: M.Tech Student Interaction & Felicitation 2026!
We were delighted to welcome our Second-Year M.Tech
students on 23rd July 2026 and felicitate the toppers of the First Year for
their outstanding academic achievements.
During the session, we shared the vision and mission of
the institute and the department, emphasizing our commitment to excellence in
education, research, and innovation. The students were also guided on research
opportunities and projects, encouraging them to explore impactful and
meaningful contributions in their respective domains.
The event was graced by the presence of Dr. Ravindra Munje, Dr. Abhishek
Srivastava, Dr. Anand Kumar, Prof. Nayana Jangle, Prof. Sudhir Shinde, and Dr.
Saravanan S. Congratulations to all the achievers, and best wishes to our
M.Tech students for a successful academic and research journey ahead!
Avishkar Club Participates in Tree Plantation Drive at Nashik Vanarai
On 19th July
2026, the Avishkar Club of the Department of Electrical Engineering actively
participated in a tree plantation drive at Nashik Vanarai, contributing towards
environmental sustainability and community well-being.
The
initiative was coordinated by Prof. Nikhil Gaikwad, whose
efforts motivated students to take a step beyond academics and engage in
meaningful ecological responsibility. The activity not only promoted awareness
about the importance of greenery but also instilled a sense of social
commitment among the participants.
Such
initiatives reflect our department’s dedication to nurturing responsible engineers
who contribute towards a sustainable future.
Faculty Corner
Distinguished Alumnus Mr. Amol Jagtap Visits the Electrical Engineering Department
It was a pleasure to welcome our distinguished alumnus, Mr. AMOL JAGTAP, to the Electrical
Engineering Department at K K Wagh Institute of Engineering Education and
Research, Nashik. He was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Madhuri Jagtap.
The conversation was enriching as we discussed student
placements, internship opportunities, and the possibility of expert sessions to
bridge academia and industry.
⚡ Alumni Connect 2026: Inspiring Students Through Industry Insights!
On 9th July 2026, the Department of Electrical
Engineering, K K Wagh Institute of Engineering Education and Research, had the
pleasure of welcoming back two of its accomplished alumni from the 2012 batch:
Both alumni interacted warmly with current students,
sharing valuable insights from their professional journeys and guiding them on
career opportunities and the path ahead in the electrical engineering industry.
We thank Mr. Atul and Ms. Romiya for taking the time to visit and mentor our
students! Proud of our alumni, proud of their journey!
Alumni Insights: Building Strong Foundations for a Successful Career!
We were delighted to welcome our distinguished alumnus, Mr. Harshal Bhavsar, to the Department
of Electrical Engineering on 21st July 2026.
During his visit, he interacted with our students and
shared valuable insights from his professional journey. He emphasized a
powerful message — “Whatever you learn during your graduation plays a crucial
role in your professional career.”
His words served as a strong reminder for students to
build a solid foundation during their academic years.
Student Article
Electric Vehicles: Power Electronics, Battery Management and the Future of Sustainable Mobility
Shraddha
Rahul Chavan. Final Year B.Tech (Electrical)
Abstract
Electric Vehicles
(EVs) are emerging as a major technology for transforming the transportation
sector and reducing dependence on conventional fossil fuels. Rapid developments
in battery technology, power electronics, charging infrastructure, renewable
energy integration, and intelligent control systems have significantly improved
EV performance and reliability. Global electric car sales exceeded 17 million
in 2024, representing more than 20% of new car sales worldwide, highlighting
the rapid transition towards electric mobility. This article presents an
overview of the major technologies associated with EVs, with particular
emphasis on battery systems, power electronic converters, Battery Management
Systems (BMS), electric motor drives, and charging infrastructure. The
challenges associated with battery degradation, charging time, thermal
management, grid impact, and charging infrastructure are also discussed.
Finally, emerging technologies such as bidirectional charging, vehicle-to-grid
(V2G), artificial intelligence-based battery management, wide-bandgap
semiconductor devices, and renewable-energy-based charging are highlighted as
important directions for the future of electric mobility.
Keywords
Electric Vehicle, Power Electronics, Battery Management System, EV Charging, Motor Drive, V2G, Renewable Energy.
1. Introduction
Transportation is one
of the major contributors to energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Conventional
internal combustion engine vehicles depend heavily on petroleum-based fuels and
involve significant energy losses through combustion and mechanical components.
Electric Vehicles provide an alternative approach in which electrical energy is
converted into mechanical energy through an electric motor.
The global EV market
has expanded rapidly in recent years. According to the International Energy
Agency (IEA), global electric car sales exceeded 17 million in 2024, with
electric vehicles accounting for more than one-fifth of new car sales
worldwide. This growth is supported by technological developments, government
policies, declining battery costs, increasing charging infrastructure, and
growing consumer awareness.
An EV is not simply a
vehicle with a battery replacing a fuel tank. It is an integrated electrical
and electronic system consisting of a battery pack, Battery Management System,
power electronic converters, electric motor, motor controller, charging system,
thermal management system, sensors, communication networks, and vehicle control
units.
Among these components, power electronics plays a central role because it controls the flow of electrical energy between the battery, motor, charger, and other auxiliary systems.
The major electrical
components of an EV can be represented conceptually as:
Battery Pack → DC–DC
Converter → Inverter → Electric Motor → Mechanical Drive
The battery pack stores electrical energy and supplies power to the vehicle propulsion system. A DC–DC converter regulates the voltage supplied to different electrical loads, while the inverter converts DC power from the battery into controlled AC power for the traction motor.
2.1 Battery System
The battery is one of
the most important and expensive components of an EV. Lithium-ion batteries are
currently widely used because of their high energy density, relatively long
cycle life, and suitable power characteristics. However, battery performance is
affected by temperature, charging/discharging rates, depth of discharge, aging,
and operating conditions.
The battery pack generally consists of a large number of cells connected in series and parallel to obtain the required voltage and capacity. Safe operation requires continuous monitoring of cell voltage, current, temperature, State of Charge (SOC), and State of Health (SOH).
2.2 Battery Management System
The Battery
Management System is responsible for monitoring and controlling the battery
pack. Its important functions include SOC estimation, SOH estimation, cell
voltage monitoring, cell balancing, temperature monitoring, overvoltage and
undervoltage protection, overcurrent and short-circuit protection, thermal
management, and fault detection and diagnosis.
Recent research has
explored artificial intelligence, fuzzy logic, neural networks, particle swarm
optimization, and other intelligent techniques for improving SOC and SOH
estimation. Accurate SOC estimation is particularly important because the
vehicle control system must know how much usable energy remains in the battery.
Similarly, SOH estimation provides information about battery ageing and
remaining useful life.
3. Role of Power Electronics in Electric Vehicles
Power electronics
acts as the energy-management interface between different components of an EV.
Efficient conversion and control of electrical energy directly influence
vehicle range, acceleration, charging performance, and overall efficiency.
3.1 DC–DC Converters
DC–DC converters are
used to regulate voltage between the battery and other electrical systems.
Depending on the vehicle architecture, buck, boost, buck-boost, isolated, and
bidirectional converters may be used.
A bidirectional DC–DC
converter is particularly useful in EV applications because power can flow in
both directions. During vehicle operation, energy flows from the battery
towards the motor. During regenerative braking, electrical energy generated by
the motor can flow back towards the battery.
High-efficiency converter topologies are therefore an important research area. Reduced conduction losses, lower switching losses, soft-switching techniques, high-frequency operation, and advanced control strategies can improve converter efficiency and power density.
3.2 Inverter and Motor Drive
The traction inverter
converts the DC voltage from the battery into controlled AC voltage and current
for the electric motor. The inverter must provide fast dynamic response, high
efficiency, low electromagnetic interference, and reliable operation.
Common motor
technologies used in EVs include Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSM),
Brushless DC Motors (BLDC), Induction Motors, and Switched Reluctance Motors.
PMSMs offer high
efficiency and power density, while induction motors provide advantages such as
robustness and reduced dependence on permanent magnets. Motor selection depends
on vehicle performance requirements, cost, efficiency, torque-speed
characteristics, and operating conditions.
Advanced modulation
and control methods such as Space Vector PWM, Field-Oriented Control, Direct
Torque Control, and model predictive control are used to achieve precise motor
operation.
4. EV Charging Technology
Charging
infrastructure is a critical factor in the large-scale adoption of EVs.
Charging systems can broadly be classified into AC charging and DC fast
charging.
4.1 AC Charging
In AC charging, the
vehicle's onboard charger converts AC power from the grid into controlled DC
power for charging the battery. Onboard chargers generally consist of a power
factor correction stage followed by an isolated or non-isolated DC–DC
converter.
Power Factor
Correction is important because it reduces input current distortion and
improves utilization of the electrical grid.
4.2 DC Fast Charging
In DC fast charging,
the AC-to-DC conversion stage is located in the charging station rather than
inside the vehicle. This allows higher charging power and significantly reduces
charging time.
However, high-power
charging creates challenges related to grid loading, battery thermal stress,
charging infrastructure cost, power quality, and demand management. Charging
infrastructure planning is therefore becoming an important research area,
particularly in countries such as India where EV adoption is increasing
rapidly.
5. Regenerative Braking
One of the major
advantages of EVs is regenerative braking. In a conventional vehicle, a
significant portion of kinetic energy is dissipated as heat through mechanical
brakes. In an EV, the traction motor can operate as a generator during
deceleration.
The energy conversion
process can be represented as:
Vehicle Kinetic
Energy → Electric Motor/Generator → Power Converter → Battery
Regenerative braking
improves overall vehicle efficiency and can increase driving range. However,
the amount of recoverable energy depends on vehicle speed, battery SOC, battery
temperature, motor characteristics, and road conditions.
An intelligent energy management system is therefore required to coordinate regenerative braking with mechanical braking while maintaining passenger safety and battery operating limits.
6. Thermal Management and Battery Safety
Battery temperature
has a significant effect on EV performance, lifetime, and safety. Excessive
temperature can accelerate battery degradation and, under severe conditions,
may contribute to thermal runaway.
Battery thermal
management techniques include air cooling, liquid cooling,
phase-change-material cooling, heat-pipe-based cooling, and advanced integrated
thermal management.
Thermal management is
not limited to the battery. The motor, inverter, DC–DC converter, onboard
charger, and other high-power electronic components also produce heat and
require appropriate cooling mechanisms.
7. Renewable Energy Integration with EVs
The environmental
benefits of EVs can be enhanced by integrating renewable energy sources such as
solar photovoltaic and wind energy with EV charging infrastructure.
A solar-powered EV
charging station can be structured as:
Solar PV → DC–DC
Converter → DC Bus → EV Charger → Battery
Such systems can
reduce dependence on grid electricity and enable clean energy-based
transportation. Battery energy storage can also be integrated with charging
stations to reduce peak demand.
EVs themselves can
potentially become distributed energy storage units. Through Vehicle-to-Grid
(V2G) technology, energy can flow from the EV battery back to the electrical
grid when required. During periods of high electricity demand, connected EVs
can provide supporting power, while during low-demand periods they can
recharge.
This creates a
transition from the traditional concept of EVs as electricity consumers towards
EVs as flexible energy resources.
8. Artificial Intelligence and Smart EV Systems
Artificial
Intelligence is increasingly being applied to EV energy management and battery
systems. Machine learning algorithms can analyse battery voltage, current,
temperature, charging history, and operating conditions to estimate SOC, SOH,
and remaining useful life.
AI can also support
predictive battery maintenance, charging schedule optimization, driver behaviour
analysis, energy consumption prediction, fault diagnosis, charging-station
planning, and intelligent thermal management.
The combination of AI and BMS can improve battery utilization and potentially extend battery life. However, AI-based systems require high-quality datasets, reliable models, computational resources, and appropriate validation before deployment in safety-critical vehicle applications.
9. Challenges and Future Opportunities
Despite rapid
technological development, several challenges remain before EVs can achieve
widespread adoption.
Battery cost and
degradation: Battery degradation affects vehicle range, performance, and resale
value. Research into advanced battery chemistries and accurate ageing models is
therefore essential.
Charging time: Fast
charging can reduce waiting time but may increase thermal stress and affect
battery lifetime. Advanced charging algorithms and high-power semiconductor
technologies can help address this challenge.
Charging
infrastructure: Large-scale EV deployment requires adequate public and private
charging infrastructure. Strategic placement of charging stations and
coordination with distribution networks are particularly important.
Grid impact: As EV
penetration increases, uncontrolled charging may create additional peak demand.
Smart charging and V2G technologies can help coordinate EV charging with grid
requirements.
Power density and
efficiency: Future EV power converters must be smaller, lighter, and more
efficient. Wide-bandgap semiconductor devices such as Silicon Carbide (SiC) and
Gallium Nitride (GaN) provide opportunities for higher switching frequency,
reduced losses, and improved power density.
Battery recycling: The increasing number of retired batteries creates a requirement for effective recycling, second-life applications, and sustainable material recovery.
10. Conclusion
Electric Vehicles
represent a significant transformation in modern transportation and electrical
energy systems. The success of EV technology depends not on a single component
but on the coordinated development of batteries, power electronics, motor
drives, charging systems, thermal management, communication, and intelligent
control.
Power electronics is
particularly important because it provides the controlled energy conversion
required between the battery, motor, charger, and auxiliary systems. At the
same time, advanced BMS technology is essential for maintaining battery safety,
reliability, performance, and lifetime.
The future of EVs is
expected to move beyond conventional battery-powered transportation towards
intelligent, connected, renewable-energy-integrated and bidirectional electric
mobility. Integration of AI, advanced semiconductor devices, smart charging,
V2G, renewable energy, and next-generation batteries can create a more
efficient and sustainable transportation ecosystem.
For electrical engineers and researchers, EV technology therefore provides a wide range of opportunities in power electronics, control systems, battery technology, renewable energy, electric drives, embedded systems, and smart-grid integration. Continued interdisciplinary research will be essential for developing the next generation of high-efficiency and sustainable electric transportation systems.
References
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