Summary
– Inductive wireless energy transfer is a convenient way of charging electric vehicles in public spaces
– A joint project developed a stationary inductive charging system for electric vehicles with 22 kW charging capacity
– The system is being tested in real-world situations in Braunschweig to evaluate its functionality and benefits
– Communication between the vehicle and the charging station is crucial for the charging process
– The project aims to compare inductive and conductive charging technologies and develop intelligent charging concepts for electric vehicles
Article
The development and testing of inductive charging technology for electric vehicles is an important step towards its widespread adoption, especially in public spaces. Researchers at Technische Universität Braunschweig and INTIS GmbH have successfully tested a stationary inductive charging system with a capacity of 22 kW. The technology is being tested in everyday use in Braunschweig to assess its functionality and benefits for users. The system consists of road-side and vehicle-side components that transfer energy contactlessly using magnetic coils.
Efficiency in wireless charging is crucial for competitiveness compared to wired charging, so the LISA4CL project focused on optimizing efficiency in the development of their system. Communication between the vehicle and the charging station is also important, requiring the implementation of hardware and software for charging communication. Standards and norms are being developed for inductive charging to ensure interoperability between vehicles and charging stations of different manufacturers. The project aims to support the standardization of the 22 kW power class and formulate recommendations for international standardization committees.
The inductive charging system is being tested in day-to-day operations at Technische Universität Braunschweig’s Facilities Management team to evaluate its long-term function and user benefits. The effects on the power grid and potential grid impacts are also being studied, as the number of charging points is expected to increase significantly in the future. A comparison with conductive charging infrastructure is being conducted to assess the advantages of inductive charging. The results of the field tests will be used to optimize the system for future development.
The LISA4CL research project also focused on developing intelligent charging concepts for electric vehicles, particularly for fleet applications. These concepts include generation-oriented charging with renewable energy and grid-orientated charging based on data about the electricity grid. The project received funding from the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs and included partners such as INTIS GmbH, Fairsenden, and VW Nutzfahrzeuge. The implementation of the project was coordinated by NOW GmbH and the PTJ (Projektträger Jülich) acted as the project organiser.
Overall, the testing and development of inductive charging technology for electric vehicles is a significant step in the transition to sustainable mobility. The focus on efficiency, communication standards, and intelligent charging concepts will help ensure the widespread adoption of this technology in the future. The findings from the field tests and evaluations will contribute to the optimization and standardization of inductive charging systems for electric vehicles.
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