Hillcrest Demonstrates Inverter Efficiencies

Hillcrest Energy Technologies, a clean technology company developing transformative power conversion technologies and control system solutions for next-generation EVs and electrical systems, has completed proof of concept testing that demonstrates the elimination of switching losses with its traction inverter.

A comparison of losses between soft-switching and hard-switching was calculated by Hillcrest. The system was tested with 470V DC-link voltage under a 5A load with a 20kHz switching frequency. The Hillcrest inverter achieved an average of more than 90% fewer switching losses and a roughly 90% reduction in dV/dt compared to the conventional, hard-switched inverters found in many EVs today.

The company includes details of the soft-switching testing and results in an update of its previously released technical whitepaper available for download at the Hillcrest website. While the previous testing had confirmed the efficiency of total inverter losses, the new tests looked specifically 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, due to the historic trade-off between the best possible switching behavior and acceptable thermal losses. The ability of the Hillcrest 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 to them.

“These test results represent another milestone on the pathway to commercialization of our traction inverter,” said Don Currie, CEO of Hillcrest Energy Technologies. “It’s an exciting step that proves we’re on the right track to providing the optimal inverter technology that will help make the next generation of EVs even more efficient and more powerful.”

Leveraging the Hillcrest 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 play an integral part in delivering a vehicle with more power, more payload capability, and increased range.

“With these new test results in hand, we can more clearly demonstrate that zero-voltage switching (“ZVS”) is both feasible and it offers several cost and performance benefits relative to overall system size, complexity, and weight of future electric vehicles,” stated Ari Berger, Hillcrest CTO.

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. The Company intends to provide an update on the progress of the commercial prototype shortly.

About Hillcrest Energy Technologies

Hillcrest Energy Technologies is a clean technology company developing high-value, high-performance power conversion technologies and digital control systems for next-generation powertrains and grid-connected renewable energy systems. From concept to commercialization, Hillcrest is investing in the development of energy solutions that will power a more sustainable and electrified future. Hillcrest is publicly traded on the CSE under the symbol “HEAT,” on the OTCQB Venture Market as “HLRTF” and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange as “7HIA.F.” For more information, please visit https://hillcrestenergy.tech/.