Hillcrest Energy Technologies has completed initial internal testing of its high-efficiency inverter with an electric motor and will release the results in an upcoming whitepaper on April 21. Internal tests announced previously have already confirmed the ability of the Hillcrest inverter technology to achieve efficiencies exceeding 99% at switching frequencies up to 60 kHz. New tests were performed using the 10kW Hillcrest high-efficiency inverter proof of concept on an 80kW electric motor currently used in EV powertrain applications.

After running efficiency tests on the motor to establish a performance baseline at the 10kHz switching frequency, the same tests were run at 20kHz, 40kHz and 60kHz. Results showed motor efficiency improvements at each increased switching frequency level, confirming the ability of the Hillcrest technology to leverage higher switching frequencies without generating additional losses/heat, thereby enabling the electric motor to operate at higher efficiency levels. Leveraging the Hillcrest traction inverter to improve motor efficiency in an electric vehicle powertrain has the potential to reduce motor size and cooling requirements and increases power density.

In an electric vehicle, this can result in more power, more payload capability and increased range. The successful tests completed thus far with the Hillcrest proof of concept are the first steps in the commercialization testing protocol. Testing of the Hillcrest 250kW 800V commercial prototype inverter will commence in the coming months with delivery of a working prototype expected this fall.

While this specific testing demonstrates Hillcrest's efficiency targets in the EV powertrain application, the results indicate similar potential for other target applications, such as grid-tied renewables, charging and storage systems, and other high voltage/high power applications. As the world moves towards clean energy and electrification in a variety of sectors, these systems must be as efficient as possible. Future testing will be tailored to these additional applications.

The company's initial technical whitepaper detailing Hillcrest's inverter testing to date will be published on the Hillcrest website on Thursday, April 21.