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Great ... but let's see. What if several cars show up at the same time? Oops, they are screwed. Even better: grid did not have a load of 450kW and all over sudden it does. This is, also, true for load disappearance: 450kW were being consumed and all over sudden the load is gone. No grid likes it. Now imagine 10 charging points like that next to each other with all cars showing up simultaneously. Voltage sags and surges are unavoidable is such kind of structure . The structure is supposed to be different ... but this is a subject of different conversation.
Fastcharge consortium presents prototype for 450 kW charging station; Porsche research vehicle charges at 400 kW
In Germany, the FastCharge research consortium (earlier post) has presented a prototype for a charging station with an output of up to 450 kW in Jettingen-Scheppach, located near the A8 motorway between Ulm and Augsburg. The new charging station is suitable for electric models of all brands with...
One more thing: charging efficiency drops substantially at 3C ... well, but who cares.
Delta kicks off DOE-sponsored program to develop microgrid-capable solid state transformer-based 400 kW fast chargers for EVs; XFC
Delta, a global provider of power and thermal management solutions, has commenced work on a research program, with 50% cost-share by the US Department of Energy (DOE), to develop a solid-state transformer (SST)-based extreme fast EV charger (XFC) with industry-leading capacity up to 400 kW to p...
Sure, get rid of ICEV ... ruining the battery at the same time because charging with 3C rate will most definitely shorten the battery life.
Delta kicks off DOE-sponsored program to develop microgrid-capable solid state transformer-based 400 kW fast chargers for EVs; XFC
Delta, a global provider of power and thermal management solutions, has commenced work on a research program, with 50% cost-share by the US Department of Energy (DOE), to develop a solid-state transformer (SST)-based extreme fast EV charger (XFC) with industry-leading capacity up to 400 kW to p...
"Hold your horses", please. What is the cycling capability of fuel cells, again? Read about this, please. So, the company smartly abandoned the usage of a range extending turbine (low efficiency) and turned to the fuel cells ... which is (at this point) is BS too.
High temperature (800C) fuel cells are very efficient (more than 50%) but can withstand only very few temperature cycles. So, turn it on and run it continuously . But , again, ones one starts cycling it - bad news. Low temperature fuel cells are not that efficient, though.
Liquid Piston Engine might be a solution (very efficient, allegedly) in series hybrid architecture but it is only being developed and is not there yet in terms of required power. So, dream on ... or waste money if you have some.
Nikola Motors has raised more than $100M of its $200M Series C
Nikola Motor, a developer of hydrogen-fuel cell trucks, has already raised more than $100 million of its $200-million Series C funding round. CEO Trevor Milton anticipates the C round will be oversubscribed. So far this year we have kicked-off plans to build the largest hydrogen network in th...
Slowly ... but surely company is approaching to a drive system as it is supposed to be. It is not there yet because the full braking can be provided by electronics only ... but the direction of development is right.
Audi e-tron recuperation system contributes up to 30% of total range
The Audi e-tron prototype combines power, efficiency and range. With a system output of up to 300 kW, the full-size SUV with a fully electric drive accelerates from zero to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in less than six seconds. In the WLTP test cycle, it covers more than 400 kilometers (248.5 mi) on one...
I guess, a lot of money were, say, redistributed.
First US eHighway demonstration running in California; battery-electric, CNG-hybrid and diesel-hybrid trucks
Siemens and the California South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) are conducting a one-mile, zero-emission eHighway demonstration in Carson, Calif., near the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. (Earlier post.) Three big-rig trucks hauling freight are running along the stretch o...
Oh ..., what a waste. Diesel electric series hybrid will do the job even at current state of affairs.
First US eHighway demonstration running in California; battery-electric, CNG-hybrid and diesel-hybrid trucks
Siemens and the California South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) are conducting a one-mile, zero-emission eHighway demonstration in Carson, Calif., near the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. (Earlier post.) Three big-rig trucks hauling freight are running along the stretch o...
Gentlemen, please, take a look at that https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2014/02/f8/fctt_roadmap_june2013.pdf especially at durability of fuel cells. They cannot reach 5000h (equivalent of 150000 miles) target. Never mind 30K-50K hours target for trucks (equivalent of 1M miles). The energy source is the problem too but again the cyclobility of fuel cells is, say, bad. If one turns them on and keeps them on - they can last way longer but otherwise ... People are working to improve it but the progress is very slow. Besides this, low temperature fuel cells suffer from efficiency issues as well.
What I am trying to say is that all these is highly subsidized by ... you - the tax payer.
Nikola Motor names Bosch and PowerCell AB as key suppliers for fuel-cell Class-8 truck; field testing in Fall 2018
Nikola Motor Company has named Bosch and PowerCell AB as key suppliers for the Nikola class 8 hydrogen-fuel-cell electric truck, unveiled as a prototype in December 2016. In September, Nikola had said that it was working with Bosch on the development of the vehicle’s powertrain. (Earlier post.)...
Not so fast, Harvey. As much as it is win-win-many times win concept (800V there is), it presents colossal challenges to motor drive/motor system. It is specifically related to motor reliability due to corona discharge problems which is a single major failure reason of electric motors. Besides this, the leadership of Mr. Fisker has tainted reputation (Fisker Automotive, remember?). At this voltage level everything is supposed to be done not only right but perfect. One slip and explosion is inevitable. We shall see, though.
Fisker selects Ricardo to support integration of 800V electric powertrain in EMotion
Fisker Inc. has selected Ricardo PLC to integrate the upcoming Fisker EMotion’s all-new 800V Electric Powertrain. The partnership will include integration of Fisker’s proprietary 800V Ultra Charger, 800V Battery Pack and e-axle systems. The EMotion powertrain is based on an 800V high voltage ...
Please, never forget about the stray fields between two coils and problems associated with alignment. In ideal world it might be good but it is still not in mass production and there are many reasons for that. I am sure that a lot of people are working on this but ... not there yet. Besides this, the standard limiting the switching frequency to 85kHz is just ... well, questionable, limiting innovations in the field. The company is in business for many years but is still supported by grants which says a lot. Just being a little ... realistic.
WiTricity announces Tunable Matching Network technology; optimization of power transfer between ground and vehicle
Wireless power transfer company WiTricity announced Tunable Matching Network (TMN) technology, which allows the wireless charging system automatically to optimize energy transfer between the ground and vehicle in a wide range of real-world operating conditions including parking misalignment, di...
DaveD,
"Adoption of WBG power electronics may be constrained by their cost and reliability." - this is one of the "show stoppers" at this point, especially reliability. There are tons of articles in Power Electronics magazines showing the advantages of WBG semiconductors while ... none of motor drives are in production. There are many reasons for that besides the mentioned one. All my attempts to overcome "non invented here" type of thinking have failed, so far. There are solutions but ... well it is not a subject of the blog. Actually, cost is not a big problem whatsoever.
Study finds EV use-phase fuel savings exceed marginal increase in energy demand for WBG semiconductor manufacturing by 2 orders of magnitude
Power electronics semiconductors, which manage voltage and current, are a key technology for enabling improvements in “fuel economy” in electric vehicles. While conventional silicon-based semiconductor technology currently owns the plug-in vehicle power electronics market, emerging wide band ga...
It seems to me, the fuel efficiency is achieved not because of "optimized gear ratio" but because the new transmission imitates the manual one preventing unnecessary slippage of automatic (torque converter).
First buses with Allison’s fuel-saving xFE transmission; up to 7% improvement in fuel economy
Allison Transmission Holdings Inc. and the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (TheRide) have dedicated the first of 60 new buses equipped with Allison’s new fuel-saving xFE automatic transmission. (Earlier post.) advances in fuel economy technology. The new fully automatic bus transmission...
Although the results are promising, as a power electronics guy, I am still in favor of the structure as following:
Diesel - clutch - motor/generator - clutch - motor/generator - wheels. The level of the power of motors used in this car (115kW) is already enough to get rid of DSG unit. The price of motors/power electronics, though, is still big "?".
Volkswagen launches new Passat GTE plug-in hybrid in Europe
Volkswagen has launched its second plug-in hybrid based on a high-volume production model: the Passat GTE, available either as a sedan or Variant (wagon)—the first plug-in hybrid from Volkswagen to be sold as either. (Earlier post, earlier post.) The Passat GTE and Passat GTE Variant will arrive...
There are some basic concerns about wireless power transfer over "whatever distance" (20cm in the described case): 1. Switching frequency 2. Inductive heating of everything around. Efficiency is not a problem. Proper matching will do the job. Some ... (almost said that) in power electronics leadership established 85kHz standard. It is a problem for coupling and leakage fields. We are talking kilowatts, guys. Big kilowatts too. Misalign your car just a little bit and 20cm gap will "melt all metal around". Higher switching frequency provides better coupling (less leakage as the result). Also, there is nothing wrong of "dropping" the receiving coil on to the antenna (well, with small gap remaining) and the problem is over. Hold on, ain't we coming back to GM concept of sort for their EV1 insertable charger? ...and there is nothing wrong about it. It was efficient, the leakage fields were minimized...
Alon Musk is a smart person and he might be aware of all these problems.
China’s ZTE pushing ahead with high-power wireless charging vehicle test deployment
ZTE Corporation, China’s largest listed telecommunications equipment company, is developing high-power wireless charging systems and services for electric vehicles, with a focus on public charging infrastructure. At a China-US workshop on electric vehicle standardization held in June (earlier po...
I am with Henry on this matter. ABB motors with more sophisticated control would be an excellent choice for automotive industry. I have not seen liquid cooled design yet (of these motors) but when it happens it would produce one of the most power dense machines. Torque ripple can be addressed via smart motor drive system even at low RPM. Permanent magnet machines paved the way but no more required.
Ames Lab team replaces Dysprosium in permanent magnets with Cerium for lower-cost, high performance solution
Researchers led by a team at the US Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory have created a new lower-cost magnetic alloy that is an alternative to conventional NdFeB-based permanent magnets. The new alloy—a potential replacement for high-performance permanent magnets found in EV motors and wind ...
So far, thorium based (molten salt reactors) are found to be the best for the job... but there is no "dual" use (weaponized plutonium) as it is in case with uranium. Although this type of reactor is known for generations and it is safe and 4 times smaller, the development was stalled due to absence of military interests. It is a shame again: the nice thing was invented in USA to be under development in India.
Argonne Lab working with 3 nuclear companies on next-generation reactor projects
The US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory will work with three of the world’s leading nuclear products and services companies on advanced nuclear reactor design projects. The three projects partner Argonne with AREVA Federal Services (Aiken, S.C.); GE Hitachi Nuclear Energ...
This is true: the anticipated improvement is dramatic. However, it is not going to happen without substantial improvements in motors (peak power available) and motor drives (peak power available, again). So far, in most modern hybrids the electrical motors play somewhat supplemental role due to their power limitations. Only Porsche 918 hybrid has decent electrical power capability allowing deceleration of 0.5 G (most of hybrids can do only up to 0.15 G). Tesla is close but it is pure electric car. So, there is still "long way in dunes" before true hybrid happens.
IDTechEx sees improving supercapacitors gaining market share against Li-ion batteries
A new report by market research company IDTechEx—“Electrochemical Double Layer Capacitors: Supercapacitors 2014-2024”—finds that supercapacitors are improving faster than lithium-ion batteries in most respects. A gradual increase in the supercapacitor component and decrease of the battery compo...
It is amazing how Europeans are trying to stay ahead of the competition from North America. As power electronics guy I can state that they are ahead of USA in Hybrid Buses and vehicle electrification in general. Nothing is ideal yet but those people understand where the future is. Our high level gentlemen in this industry feel comfortable and protected from competition. Open the borders and a whole American hybrid world will be wiped out by better European design
3-year, $75.7M eRamp power electronics research project launches at Infineon
The three-year research project “eRamp”, intended to strengthen and expand Germany and Europe as centers of expertise for the manufacture of power electronics, launched at Infineon Technologies in Dresden. Twenty-six research partners from six countries are participating. Infineon, a global mar...
...and "we" are saying that Walmart is bad. I am not sure that Capstone is a very good choice due to efficiency of range extender but the power density is very high (higher than diesels). If one needs to hide the whole power train - this is the way to go. Again, the efficiency of Capstone is...
Walmart showcases WAVE tractor-trailer at MATS; micro-turbine range extended electric vehicle with 45.5 kWh Li-ion pack
Walmart showcased its Walmart Advanced Vehicle Experience (WAVE) at the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) in Louisville, Ky. WAVE is a tractor-trailer combination that features leading edge aerodynamics; an advanced turbine-powered range extending series hybrid powertrain; electrified auxiliary ...
I do not know what considerations were used in this frequency choice but it limits substantially the progress in the field. In general, the higher frequency is the smaller passive resonant components can be (integral part of wireless energy transfer). Besides this, shaping the electro-magnetic field is much easier at higher frequencies. In my humble opinion as a power electronics designer, several hundreds of kHz is not the limit. These inverters should not interfere with AM band but otherwise 85kHz sounds too low and limiting. Also, "The SAE International Task Force is currently working on completing the remaining interoperability topics, including factors such as the minimum coupling factor “k”, alignment, and coil geometries"- sounds like framing for the existing products.
Define the allowed radiation ...and that is all. Somebody is definitely trying to prevent the competition from leapfrogging inventions. Mind boggling. For those SAE Bureaucracy "survival of the fittest" is like red color for bulls. Regulate, regulate with no thinking (non required).
SAE task force agrees on frequency of operation and power classes for wireless power transfer for light-duty plug-in vehicles
SAE International J2954 Task Force for Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) of Light Duty, Electric and Plug-in Electric Vehicles, has agreed upon two key factors for the Technical Information Report (TIR) on interoperability for the first phase of pre-commercial development: a common frequency of ope...
1. This engine architecture is used by BMW and Audi for many years (not in diesels mostly), so what is new again...?
2. @gryf Both Bob Lutz creations are too expensive and less efficient than advertised otherwise they would overflow the market. ...and there are many reasons for that. Even the general idea is right it does not mean that it is (was) implemented correctly.
Ford introduces second-generation 6.7L Power Stroke V8 Diesel for F-Series Super Duty; Gen 1 hits 500,000 mark
Second-generation 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 diesel. Click to enlarge. Ford introduced the 2015 F-Series Super Duty lineup at State Fair of Texas, featuring a second-generation 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbo diesel engine and increased towing capabilities. Ford introduced the 6.7-liter Po...
Of course it is much better for Obama to support a dictatorship regime rather than to buy from our friends.
IHS-CERA concludes “no material impact” on US GHG from Keystone XL; heavy crude from Venezuela most likely replacement
The proposed Keystone XL pipeline for transporting oilsands-derived crude to Gulf Coast refineries would have “no material impact” on US greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, according to a new Insight report by IHS CERA. In a June speech at Georgetown University, President Barack Obama said that the...
Gentlemen! The motors are very (sometimes 96%) or more efficient if the design is right and ... the motor driver is right. As a power electronics designer I see NO need for multispeed transmission but I do see needs for motor driver. There are so many types of losses associated with ineffective motor driving that it is inevitable that it will be addressed rather sooner than later. BTW the solution exists.
Oerlikon Graziano launches 4-speed electric drive; up to 15% efficiency increase
Transmission specialist Oerlikon Graziano, part of Oerlikon’s Drive Systems Segment, is presenting its 4SED (4 Speed Electric Drive) (earlier post) to customers around Europe. This new compact, lightweight transmission offers increased efficiency, smooth shifting and a scalable design making it ...
This is from their web site,so give it some time and let's see how it works long term heating everything metal around if not alighed perfectly:
How easy is it to align the Vehicle Adapter and Parking Pad?
"Most drivers achieve successful alignment on their first try. As you approach the Parking Pad, the wall-mounted Control Panel displays bright, easy-to-follow directional arrows to guide your alignment. We like to say our system allows for a greater margin of error than most garages and parking spaces. In fact, we’ve designed the system to operate efficiently even if your EV isn’t perfectly aligned"(This remains to be seen -CarCrazy)
Evatran completes 1500+ hours of wireless charging trials with fleets
Evatran has logged more than 1,500 hours of charging time on its Plugless L2 wireless charging systems installed across the country through its Apollo Trial Program. More than 15 installations are now complete, with the final installations slated for mid-August. (Earlier post.) The program fo...
As impressive mechanically still as much disappointing electrically. From power electronics prospective they could have done much better but...
More details on BMW’s i3; electric and connected
Cutaway of the BMW i3. Click to enlarge. With the launch of the production BMW i3 battery-electric vehicle (also available with a range extender) looming, the BMW Group provided more details about the first series-produced model from its new i brand, offering customers electric mobility in ...
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