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Bosch Group and Academic Partners to Establish Center for Power Electronics in Germany
November 03, 2009
The Bosch Group, the Reutlingen University of Applied Sciences, the University of Stuttgart, and the state of Baden-Württemberg will establish a center for power electronics studies and research. The Baden-Württemberg state government has given the project the go-ahead.
Power electronics includes modules, components, and systems that are used in areas such as hybrid vehicles, but also in the renewable energy field, where they are part of photovoltaic systems. This alliance is the first research and teaching network of its kind in Germany. Over a ten-year period, Bosch and the German state of Baden-Württemberg will invest more than €25 million (US$36.6 million) in new teaching posts and infrastructure. The Robert Bosch Center for Power Electronics is to be based in Reutlingen and Stuttgart.
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Purdue Researchers Detail Mechanisms of Fluid Boiling in Microchannels; Commercializing Hybrid and EV IGBT Cooling Systems with Delphi
September 23, 2009
| Researchers identified five major flow regimes of bubbly, slug, churn, wispy-annular, and annular flow, and a postdryout regime of inverted-annular flow. Garimella 2009. Click to enlarge. |
Researchers at Purdue University have determined precisely how fluid boils in microchannels, and as a result have created formulas and models that will help engineers design systems to cool high-power electronics in electric and hybrid cars, aircraft, computers, and other applications.
Allowing a liquid to boil in cooling systems dramatically increases how much heat can be removed, compared to simply heating a liquid to below its boiling point, said Suresh Garimella, the R. Eugene and Susie E. Goodson Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University. However, boiling phenomena at the microscale are complex.
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UK Consortium Develops New DC-DC Converter Technology
September 18, 2009
| Hard-switched dual-interleaved boost converter with IPT. James et al. 2009. Click to enlarge. |
A UK consortium led by technology consultancy Prodrive has developed a bi-directional DC-DC converter that can deliver a 600V output from a 380V source and maintain its output even when the source voltage drops to as little as 200V.
The new DC-DC converter is being designed to help reduce the cost, weight and package space associated with hybrid and electric vehicle battery packs. Other members of the project consortium are the University of Manchester, HILTech Developments, Sloan Electronics Ltd, LDV Ltd., International Transformers and Newcastle University. The Technology Strategy Board, UK supported this work.
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Continental Supplying the Complete Electric Drive for Planned Volume Production Electric Vehicles
| One of the first electric drive systems which will be produced in high volumes for electric vehicles. Click to enlarge. |
Continental’s Powertrain Division is developing and producing the complete electrical drive train, including the control system, for the electric vehicles of an as yet unnamed car manufacturer, which should be available in large numbers on the Europe market from the start of 2011.
Continental Powertrain has developed low-cost, production-ready drive components and complete systems for electrifying the drive train. The core components are the energy storage unit (i.e. the battery), the power electronics and the electric motor.
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Oak Ridge Two-Phase, Floating Loop Cooling System for Power Electronics Meets DOE 2020 Targets
July 17, 2009
| Schematic of the floating loop cooling system. Click to enlarge. |
Power electronics and electrical machines (PEEM) are essential elements of hybrid and electric-drive vehicles. PEEM technology comprises three main elements: power electronics (e.g., boost converters and inverters); electric motors; and thermal control and system integration. Thermal control is a critical element to enable power density, cost, and reliability of the other components.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), which runs one of the leading PEEM research centers, in a three-year project developed an innovative two-phase “floating loop” cooling system for direct-contact cooling of power electronics and motors that can exceed DOE FreedomCAR 2020 targets for power density (13.4 kW/L).
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Magna Electronics and Semikron Form a 50/50 Joint Venture for Power Electronics for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles
June 22, 2009
| Semikron’s new SkiiP4 power module offers a 33% increase in power density. Click to enlarge. |
Magna Electronics, an operating unit of Magna International Inc. that delivers electronic solutions to the automotive market, and Semikron, a provider of power semiconductor components and systems, are forming a 50/50 joint venture to develop and produce power electronics for future electric and hybrid vehicle applications.
Semikron recently introduced its SKiiP4 new generation of intelligent IGBT power modules (IPM). The new module is 33% more powerful than its predecessor SKiiP3. The IPM is used predominantly in wind and solar power applications, traction applications, elevator systems and industrial drives with high outputs of between 400 kW and 1.8 MW.
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Fuji Electric and Furukawa Partner on GaN Power Devices
Fuji Electric and Furukawa Electric Co. have formed a research association for cooperative research and joint development of GaN-on-Si-based (gallium nitride on silicon) wide bandgap power devices which can be used in more efficient and capable power electronics for hybrid and electric drive vehicles, among other applications. Fuji Electric produces power devices for hybrids and has also been working on GaN; Furukawa Electric has GaN technology.
Currently, Silicon insulated gate bipolar transistors (Si-IGBTs) are widely used ininverters for hybrids. However, devices with higher performance characteristics—including higher operating temperatures, lower resistance, and higher breakdown voltages—are required for powre electronics for future electric drive vehicles.
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CalMotors Partners With Parker Hannifin on Hybrid and Electric Powertrains
June 02, 2009
| CalMotors, powered by Parker. Click to enlarge. |
CalMotors, makers of high performance hybrid (series and parallel) and electric powertrains, has formed a strategic alliance with Parker Hannifin Corporation to produce fully integrated powertrain solutions for the automotive and marine industries. Parker can provide motors, inverters, systems design and manufacturing.
In addition to developing fully integrated powertrains, CalMotors has also designed, engineered, fabricated and tested several advanced technology vehicles for military, commercial, and consumer applications. Ruf engaged CalMotors to combine the lithium-ion batteries with the motor for its electric Porsche, as an example. (Earlier post.)
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DOE Upping Investment in Advanced Power Electronics and Electric Machines Research
May 22, 2009
| In addition to increasing the overall budget, DOE is providing more funding to other segments within APEEM in FY2009. (Difference in pie chart size is representational, and not to scale.) Click to enlarge. |
The US Department of Energy (DOE) increased the budget for Advanced Power Electronics and Electric Machines (APEEM) research to $17,358,000 in fiscal 2009, up 12% from the FY 2008 budget of $15,462,000. The APEEM effort comprises power electronics, electric machines, thermal control and integrated systems—components that are unique and critical to electric-drive or assisted vehicles.
All elements within the APEEM category must advance to achieve lower cost, smaller and lighter footprints, and higher efficiency to meet marketplace demands—and the DOE development targets—said Susan Rogers, who runs the APEEM programs within the DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Vehicle Technologies program, at the DOE Merit Review meetings this week in Washington.
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AVL Introduces New Modular Range Extender Technologies and Engineering Services
May 17, 2009
| A Range Extender Module based on a rotary engine. Click to enlarge. |
AVL has introduced new range extender system technology and engineering services targeted at OEMS for short-term market introduction of range-extended electric vehicles.
The Range Extender is an autonomous auxiliary power unit added to pure electric drive vehicles to extend the operational range beyond that obtainable in the pure electric mode. AVL took a modular approach; depending on the specific customer production background and product needs, the internal combustion engine (ICE) component can be designed as a 2- or 4-stroke piston engine, or for lowest NVH and best compactness, as a rotary engine.
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Adura’s MESA Electric Powertrain Combines Controls, Switched Reluctance Traction Motor and MicroTurbine
April 20, 2009
| Components of the Adura MESA powertrain. Click to enlarge. |
Adura Systems, Inc. unveiled its new MESA (Modular, Electronic, Scalable Architecture) electric powertrain for use in series hybrid, all electric and fuel cell mass transportation buses, large utility vehicles and other automotives.
Adura’s MESA powertrain features patent-pending, highly modular systems electronics, an innovative intelligent control software platform and the industry’s first scalable, field installable energy storage system that can be configured, depending upon users’ requirements, to provide 25, 50 miles or 100 miles of initial travel in pure electric mode with subsequent travel in hybrid mode.
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AIST Researchers Develop Ruthenium and Diamond Power Diodes for Sustained High-Temperature Operation Without Cooling
March 30, 2009
| Overview of the Schottky Barrier Diode with the cross-section schematic (right). (2 x 2 mm device chip is indicated by the circle.) Click to enlarge. |
Researchers at Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) earlier this year reported the development of rectifying diodes using ruthenium (Ru) and diamond for power devices that are operational at high temperatures exceeding 400 °C for long periods. If this technology were to be commercialized, it could enable energy-saving non-cooled power devices.
Semiconductor power devices are essential for power control of electrical equipment; the devices are rapidly finding new applications including motor drive units for hybrid and electric cars. There is an urgent need for innovation to reduce electric power consumption by developing advanced power device technology; the issue is included in the “Cool Earth—Innovative Energy Technology Plan” of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry for greatly reducing CO2 emissions.
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Infineon and Bosch to Collaborate on Power Semiconductors
March 23, 2009
Infineon Technologies AG and Robert Bosch GmbH are widening their cooperation to include power semiconductors. By working with Bosch, Infineon is not just expanding its share of the semiconductor market in the automotive segment, it will also be Bosch’s preferred supplier of power semiconductors.
Meeting environmental regulations and new limits on fuel consumption and carbon emissions will require every subsystem in a motor vehicle to consume less energy while continuing to deliver the same, or better, performance. This calls for the development of new breeds of generators, starter-generators, engine management systems, air-conditioning systems, and power steering, for example.
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DOE to Award Up to $2.4B for Advanced Batteries, Electric Drive Components, and Electric Drive Vehicle Demonstration/Deployment Projects
March 19, 2009
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has released two competitive solicitations that will provide up to a combined $2.4 billion in federal funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) in support of the development of advanced electric drive vehicles (EDVs) including plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV), electric vehicles (EV), and fuel cell vehicles (FCV). President Barack Obama announced the availability of the funding during a visit to Southern California Edison’s Electric Vehicle Center today.
This funding has been divided between two Funding Opportunity Announcements: Recovery Act - Transportation Electrification (DE-FOA-0000026); and Recovery Act - Electric Drive Vehicle Battery and Component Manufacturing Initiative (DE-FOA-0000028). The former will provide up to $400 million for EDV and electrification infrastructure demonstration and evaluation projects. The latter will provide grants to US-based manufacturers of up to $1.5 billion to produce advanced automotive batteries and their components, and up to $500 million to produce other components needed for electric vehicles, such as electric motors.
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Hitachi Restructures, Spinning Off Automotive Systems Business; to Launch Group-Wide Strategies for Li-ion Battery and Renewables Businesses
March 16, 2009
As part of a major restructuring in announced in Tokyo on Monday, Hitachi Ltd. will spin off its Automotive Systems Business into a wholly-owned subsidiary on 1 July. The new automotive business will have a special focus on hybrid and electric drive system components, as well as technologies for enhancing the efficiency of internal combustion engines.
In addition, on 1 April, the company will introduce organizations to plan and propose R&D and business strategies for the whole Hitachi Group regarding lithium-ion battery and renewable energy-related businesses. Hitachi says that it will “take steps to quickly launch businesses in these areas.”
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Siemens Highlights Prototypes of New Drive Systems for Electric Cars
March 13, 2009
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| The powertrain components for the eRUF. Source; Siemens CT. Click to enlarge. |
Siemens Corporate Technology, Siemens’ research organization, supplied the drive systems for the prototypes of two electric cars shown at the Geneva Motor Show. For each of two automotive firms—the Swiss concept car manufacturer Rinspeed and the German company RUF Automobile GmbH—the Siemens research team developed an integrated system consisting of a motor/generator, power electronics and an interface with a battery connection.
This research is taking place within the framework of the exploration by Siemens Corporate Technology of the opportunities and challenges associated with a comprehensive concept of electro-mobility and its value-added chain. Topics under investigation include, among others, energy generation and distribution; traffic and energy management; smart metering; power electronics; software and sensor technology; electric drive train systems; and the recovery and storage of energy.
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Infineon Introduces 3rd-Generation Silicon Carbide Schottky Diodes; Improved Performance Reduces Cost of Power Electronics for Motor Drive and Renewable Energy Applications
February 20, 2009
Infineon Technologies has introduced its third-generation thinQ! SiC (silicon carbide) Schottky diodes. Featuring the industry’s lowest device capacitance for any given current rating, which enhances overall system efficiency at higher switching frequencies and under light load conditions, the new thinQ! diodes help reduce overall power converter system costs.
Main application areas for SiC Schottky diodes are active Power Factor Correction (CCM PFC) in Switched-Mode Power Supplies (SMPS) and other AC/DC and DC/DC power conversion applications such as solar inverters and motor drives.
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Volkswagen and Toshiba to Partner on Electric Drive, Power Electronics and Batteries
February 12, 2009
Volkswagen AG and the Toshiba Corporation signed a letter of intent to cooperate for the development of electric drive units and the accompanying power electronics for Volkswagen’s planned New Small Family. Furthermore, Volkswagen and Toshiba are planning the development of battery systems with a high specific energy density for the next generation of electric vehicles.
Volkswagen’s objective, said Prof. Dr Martin Winterkorn, chairman of the board of management, is to be the first manufacturer to provide an emissions-free, affordable and safe large-scale production electric vehicle.
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Daimler and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology Begin Research Collaboration on Electric Drive Systems
November 21, 2008
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Daimler AG and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) are beginning a research collaboration on electric drive systems: the “e-drive Project House” (Projekthaus e-drive). The effort will span the fields of power electronics and electric machines (PEEM), control systems, and electrical energy storage systems. Pooling expertise from science and industry across these fields is intended to expedite the market maturity of pure electric drive and hybrid vehicles, Daimler said.
The e-drive Project House is positioned as a strategic long-term undertaking, and is setting out to attract further scientific institutes and cooperation partners in order to extend the research consortium.
