Extreme performance battery charger technologies for transportation

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Over the past decade, there has been an unprecedented growth in the use of battery-powered equipment (portable electronics and transportation systems) and the battery market is expected to increase by 7.8% per year to $120 billion by 2019. In particular, the adoption of battery-powered transportation systems (industrial vehicles, EVs, buses, e-bikes) will continue to increase rapidly, presenting a unique opportunity for economic growth and sustainable development.**The objective of the collaboration between Drs. Ordonez and Eberle at UBC and Delta-Q Technologies is to develop the next generation of high efficiency and smart power converters for electrified transportation battery chargers. Advances in this area will improve conversion efficiency and reduce costs, benefitting both consumers and utility providers. From the consumer's perspective, novel chargers will result in cost reductions, thereby stimulating the adoption of sustainable transportations systems. From the utility's perspective, novel high efficiency battery chargers will reduce energy consumption and help mitigate power quality issues. The research targets the development of cutting-edge multiresonant topologies using state-of-the art wide-bandgap semiconductor devices, synchronous rectification, and digital control with the anticipated outcome of cutting power losses in the charger circuits in half. In turn, the charger's power density and competitiveness will be improved substantially by employing soft-switching, novel circuit design for high frequency operation. The R&D project will help industry leader and BC-based Delta-Q maintain a competitive advantage over international competitors.**The project aligns directly with the clean energy objectives of the Government of British Columbia, which has committed $100,000 towards these R&D activities. The project will enable UBC to provide training to future engineers in alternative power conversion. The project is very timely since it anticipates the high demand for engineers in alternative energy.