EMtechno: Emerging Technologies in Multiport Systems for Energy Efficient Drivetrains

EMTechno project aims at improving the total cost of ownership (TCO) of energy-efficient drivetrains by the integration of the following emerging technologies: Electric Variable Transmissions (EVT), Multiport Converters (MPC) and Wide-Bandgap Semiconductor (WBS). In general, the drivetrains (i.e. vehicle propulsion, weaving looms, header of a harvester, shock absorbers…) in Flanders industry consist of a number of subsystems that could be divided into two major groups (or a combination thereof):1. Subsystems with a combination of mechanical (electrical machines, flywheels, load…) and electrical ports (DC-bus, batteries, supercapacitors…);2. Subsystems with only electrical ports (grid, batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, 12V or 24V for auxiliaries…).In order to enhance the efficiency, cost and compactness of these types of drivetrains, this project will focus on the design, control and integration of the following integrated multiport power-conversion subsystems:1. Electromechanical multiport: Electric Variable Transmissions (EVT);2. Electrical multiport: Advanced Multiport Converters (MPC).In addition, Wide-Bandgap Semiconductor (WBS) based switches (i.e. Silicon Carbide (SiC) and Gallium Nitride (GaN)) will be designed and integrated in the MPC and in the inverters of the EVT in order to increase their energy efficiency. Finally, on a system level, approaches for optimal energy management and integrated design of drivetrains with such multiport subsystems will be developed and experimentally demonstrated for development cases that are representative for the companies in the user group.