- Hillcrest Energy (HEAT) completed proof of concept testing that demonstrates the elimination of switching losses with its traction inverter
- The company calculated a comparison of losses between soft-switching and hard-switching
- The inverter achieved an average of more than 90 per cent fewer switching losses and around 90 per cent reduction in dV/dt
- Hillcrest develops transformative power conversion technologies and control system solutions for next-generation EVs and electrical systems.
- Hillcrest Energy Technologies Ltd. (HEAT) is up 8.70 per cent, trading at C$0.125 at 2.03 pm ET
Hillcrest Energy (HEAT) has completed proof of concept testing demonstrating the elimination of switching losses with its traction inverter.
The company calculated comparison of losses between soft-switching and hard-switching. It tested the system with 470V DC-link voltage under 5A load with a 20kHz switching frequency.
The inverter achieved an average of more than 90 per cent fewer switching losses and around 90 per cent reduction in dV/dt compared to the conventional, hard-switched inverters found in many EVs today. Previous testing had confirmed the efficiency of total inverter losses. However, the new tests looked explicitly at the efficiencies gained via Hillcrest’s mastery of soft-switching.
Electric motors currently used in EV powertrains operate within a switching frequency range of 8kHz to 16kHz. This is due to the historical trade-off between the best possible switching behaviour and acceptable thermal losses. The ability of Hillcrest’s high-efficiency inverter to soft-switch at much higher frequencies without generating additional losses will allow motor manufacturers to take advantage of new motor concepts not previously available.
Hillcrest’s traction inverter in an EV powertrain is intended to improve overall system-level performance. A system with higher power density, lower cost and weight, and better power quality and performance could be integral in delivering a vehicle with more power, payload capability and increased range.
The successful tests completed thus far with the Hillcrest proof of concept are important steps in the commercialization testing protocol. Testing of the Hillcrest 250kW 800V commercial prototype traction inverter is currently underway, with a final prototype ready for delivery to customers in the fourth quarter of this year.
Hillcrest develops transformative power conversion technologies and control system solutions for next-generation EVs and electrical systems.
Hillcrest Energy Technologies Ltd. (HEAT) is up 8.70 per cent, trading at C$0.125 at 2.03 pm ET.
