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R&D that<br>moves emobility - Ekoenergetyka

R&D that
moves emobility

Apart from production activity, Ekoenergetyka-Polska S.A. conducts research and development activities in the field of innovative solutions and new technologies in low-emission transport.

These activities are centred on transport utilizing electric drive systems. Although the main field of study still consists of works related to charging infrastructure for battery-operated electric vehicles, in 2020, the company commended conceptual works in the scope of hydrogen refuelling systems with innovative hybrid distributors.

This involves the need for constant development of highly qualified staff, as well as acquisition and development of infrastructure for conducting research in the scope of electronics, power electronics and material engineering. In the recent years, the human resources of the company were supplemented with employees having experience in the scope of research and development works, gained at universities in R&D centres.


Apart from creation and development of subsequent R&D centres, the Company’s research base is also supplemented with highly specialized measuring and research equipment, which has or will enable research (for the purposes of the company and third parties) in the field of the effect which electric and power electronic devices have on the external environment and the effects of the external environment on these devices.

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research and development charging stations, Ekoenergetyka

Electromobility Laboratory
Centre (CLE)

  • Electromagnetic compatibility
    research (EMC)

  • Electromagnetic field component tests in spatial emissions of electric and magnetic field

  • Energy quality
    parameter testing

  • Load tests
    and thermodynamic research

  • Device safety
    testing

  • Noise tests in the scope of noise source identification

  • Environmental research
    in climatic chambers

  • Corrosion and ageing tests, e.g. in solar, UV and other chambers

  • IP rating
    tests

  • IK impact
    resistance tests

In terms of the EMC, electric devices should fulfil two conditions – they have to be resistant to disturbance and cannot disturb operation of other devices by emitting disturbance. The emission and resistance levels are precisely specified and standardized. The tests investigate the resistance and emissions of the prototypes created in the CLE. The goal is to ensure they meet all the applicable standards.

CLE is the only laboratory in Poland which has the equipment for testing the EMC of devices with several hundred kilowatts of power as well as supply and load current up to 800 A.

The measuring equipment of the Electromobility Laboratory Centre makes it possible to measure the intensity of the electric and magnetic fields emitted by devices.

This means we can precisely define the effects which charging stations have on their surroundings. The resulting knowledge helps us minimize the effects which could negatively affect the operation of the charging infrastructure or other devices operating nearby.

Electric energy purchased by the end customer, supplied to the point of consumption, should be of appropriate quality. The devices supplied cannot have any negative effects on the power grid and reduce the quality of the electric energy.

Tests conducted at the CLE laboratory address all the key electric parameters of the prototypes we make. The goal is to create solutions which in no way disrupt the parameters of the energy supplied.

The world is switching to electromobility and investments in high power devices are increasing.

Electric current flow is directly connected with thermal energy release. The higher the power, the more heat is generated. The research conducted by the CLE in this area focus mostly on developing the most effective method of carrying this heat away from devices. This is important from the perspective of safety, but also reliability and lifespan of the devices. For some electronic components, a 10% change of the operating temperature reduces their lifespan by half.

Thanks to series of artificial loads with energy reversed to an AC grid, it is possible to perform long-term load tests with a reduced consumption of power from the grid. This is particularly important for testing high-power devices, both in terms of energy efficiency and environmental protection.

This is one of the most important areas of testing and research. A broad array of analyses performed in this respect makes it possible to determine if and to what extent is the given device safe for the users and protects them against an electrical shock.

Currently, the range of the tests is even expanded to contact current testing.

Noise is becoming a growing problem for our environment, particularly in large conurbations. Scientific research demonstrates that after stress, noise is the second source of illness in humans. The expert team of Ekoenergetyka scientists performs tests and implements research projects intended to develop passive and active solutions for minimizing the noise emitted into environment.

The works focus mostly on the electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The centre is equipped with state-of-the-art measuring equipment which meets global standards, such as acoustic camera with a hexagonal matrix of 128 microphones, precise acoustic imaging system or sound analyser.

Tests in climatic chambers make it possible to simulate the conditions in which electrical devices may work, from frosty winters to scorching summers. This shows us how the given device will work and react to various values and fluctuations of the temperature and air humidity.

he climatic chambers used by the CLE enable normative testing of prototype operation in ambient temperature of -70°C to + 150°C in a walk-in chamber, as well as -70°C to +180°C in a 750l chamber. In both chambers, it is possible to simulate relative humidity of 10 to 98% Rh.

In the Ekoenergetyka laboratories, ageing and corrosion chambers are used for normative material testing in the scope of accelerated ageing concerning the effects of UV radiation or radiation similar to solar spectrum.

The accelerated corrosion tests are carried out on salt mist atmosphere or with spraying.

The measuring devices used in the Electromobility Laboratory Centre enable complete testing of the IP protection rating, The enclosures of devices installed outdoors have to effectively protect their internal electric components. This protection concerns the ingress of dust, various particles and water (e.g. during rain).

The tests assess protection against access to hazardous parts, ingress of solid foreign bodies, as well as ingress and effects of water.

In the Electromobility Laboratory Centre, a qualified team tests the IK resistance rating, which is an impact resistance grade of devices. 

The laboratory is equipped to classify the enclosure impact resistance within the range of IK0 to IK10 using the pendulum impact hammer or the drop hammer method.

Hydrogen technologies

The current progress made in the scope of hydrogen systems as well as the increasing market maturity of these technologies makes them implemented in the electromobility industry with a growing confidence.

Being aware of the potential of the hydrogen technology, Ekoenergetyka has commenced R&D works in this area. As part of one of its projects, the company is creating a Research and Development Centre for Hydrogen Technologies in Transport, the main purpose of which, via initial investment in tangible or intangible assets, will be scientific research and development works carried out by specialist staff, regarding hydrogen technologies in transport, promotion of the solutions, as well as expert and training activities.

research and development charging stations, Ekoenergetyka

Charging station power electronics

As part of its scientific projects and R&D works, the Ekoenergetyka team is developing prototype single and double converters AC/DC, DC/DC, to be used in electric vehicle charging stations.

The goal of one of the current projects is to create an ultrafast charging station – HPCVC (High Power Commercial Vehicle Charging), with the output voltage of 1500 VDC and charging current up to 500 A. Already at the design stage, the team pays special attention to modelling and analysing the energy and thermodynamic properties, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and the noise level. The properties and parameters of the prototypes are tested at the company’s Electromobility Laboratory Centre in Zielona Góra.

research and development charging stations, Ekoenergetyka

Energy storage

Research on energy storage in terms of cooperation with the charging infrastructure of electric vehicles

Cooperation of energy storage with charging stations

Development of own dedicated system solutions and control algorithms

Energy storage devices in the form of electrochemical reservoirs is an area which in the recent years has underwent intensive development. It is related not only with power engineering or electromobility (electric vehicles).

It has started a vigorous expansion into the area of electric vehicle charging. An energy storage device working with, for instance, a charging station allows to reduce the peak power demand, improves the voltage profile at the connection site, supports the operation of the AC network, improves the energy profile and increases the power supply reliability of the electric vehicle charging station. As part of our R&D works, we develop, for instance, prototype, customized energy storage systems, we develop original and dedicated algorithms controlling power storage devices and their interaction with both the supply network and charging stations; we also investigate the properties of energy reservoirs.

research and development charging stations, Ekoenergetyka

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