- Hillcrest Energy Technologies (HEAT) completes its initial internal testing of a high-efficiency inverter
- Past internal tests confirmed the ability to achieve efficiencies exceeding 99 per cent
- Results showed motor efficiency without generating additional losses or heat
- A commercial prototype inverter will start in the coming months
- The results indicate similar potential for other high-power target applications
- Hillcrest Energy Technologies (HEAT) is up 10.34 per cent and is trading at $0.16 per share as of 11:25 a.m. ET
Hillcrest Energy Technologies (HEAT) has completed initial testing of a high-efficiency inverter with an electric motor for use on electric vehicles.
Previous tests have confirmed the ability of the Hillcrest inverter technology to achieve efficiencies exceeding 99 per cent at switching frequencies up to 60 kilohertz.
New tests were performed using Hillcrest’s 10-kilowatt inverter on an 80-kilowatt electric motor currently used in EV powertrain applications. After establishing a baseline, the same tests were run at 20 kilohertz, 40 kilohertz, and 60 kilohertz.
Results showed motor efficiency improvements at each increase which confirms the technology’s ability to leverage higher switching frequencies without generating additional losses or heat.
Leveraging the traction inverter to improve motor efficiency in an electric vehicle powertrain can reduce motor size and cooling requirements and increase power density. This could result in more power, more payload capability and increased range.
The successful tests completed thus far with the proof of concept are the first steps in the commercialization testing protocol. Testing of the Hillcrest 250-kilowatt 800-volt commercial prototype inverter will start in the coming months with the delivery of a working prototype expected this fall.
The results indicate similar potential for other target applications, such as grid-tied renewables, charging and storage systems, and other high-power applications. Future testing will be tailored to these additional applications.
Hillcrest Energy Technologies (HEAT) is up 10.34 per cent and is trading at $0.16 per share as of 11:25 a.m. ET.
