Hillcrest Energy Technologies Ltd (CSE:HEAT) (OTCMKTS:HLRTF) (FRA:7HIA) announced that it is developing a next-generation high-efficiency inverter (HEI), designed to significantly improve the energy and power efficiencies of future electric vehicle (EV) powertrains.
The Canadian clean technology company said the technology would also be used for other e-mobility and motorized applications, as well as charging stations and power generation systems.
Already in proof-of-concept development, Hillcrest noted that the HEI uniquely configures innovative hardware and software technologies from it and German specialist engineering innovator Systematec, to deliver the very precise and accurate control systems required to unleash a next-generation inverter's ultra-high efficiency potential.
READ: Hillcrest Energy signs 5-year technology collaboration agreement with German engineering leader Systematec
Hillcrest's HEI will use extremely high switching frequency to deliver substantial and unprecedented energy and power efficiency gains over existing inverter technology. Adaptive control mechanisms will also be incorporated to enable wide operating ranges, beneficial to highly dynamic systems such as EVs.
"Working closely with Systematec, we have already confirmed our HEI control architecture with computer simulations and are now aggressively developing our HEI proof-of-concept prototypes for demonstration and eventual commercialization," Hillcrest’s chief technology officer Ari Berger said in a statement.
"This is our first aggressive development push, but I can confirm it's not the only ground breaking technology currently in development.”
Hillcrest said efficiency gains from its advanced inverter technology are expected to shrink the size and weight of powertrains that should reduce overall manufacturing costs, significantly increase EV range, and could potentially enable new electrification possibilities in areas such as aeronautics, commercial transport, and other industries requiring exceptional powertrain reliability and high energy density.
"We see HEI driving substantial step-change improvements in powertrain design across a wide range of applications and products, where power density and very low electro-magnetic interference (EMI) are critical drivers," Systematec CEO Harald Hengstenberger said.
"With our inverter technology, EV customers could design systems offering increased driving range between charges with current battery sizes or incorporate smaller batteries, at a lower overall cost, without sacrificing performance.”
Hillcrest said its team was developing other disruptive technologies that have potential impact across several industries, including innovative e-mobility solutions that are cost-efficient and capable.
“Commercialization of key enabling technologies like HEI and other components and systems that unlock energy and power efficiencies will help to drive a more equitable, low carbon future, and formally establish Hillcrest as a leading innovator,” Hillcrest CEO Don Currie said.
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