Just one day following the announcement by Yaskawa Electric Corporation that it is employing GaN power devices from Transphorn, Inc. in the production of world's smallest power conditioner in its class, Delta Products Corporation (DPC) announced their cooperation with Transphorm and participation in a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) $3.0 million award for the development of a high-efficiency, high-density, 6.6kW bidirectional on-board charger for plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEVs). The on-board charger will use novel designs based on GaN power switches that target energy efficiency better than 95% and reduce volume and mass by 30% to 50% compared to today's technology.
The EERE research program will be a collaboration platform for industry leaders in different fields and a world-renowned research university. Delta, as a Tier-1 automotive supplier, will be partnering with FCA US LLC, a member of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA) family of companies, Transphorm, and Virginia Tech's Center for Power Electronics Systems.
“Delta is pleased to be working closely with EERE and our partners on this project to develop and commercialize the next generation of on-board EV chargers. The development of a smaller, lighter, less expensive and more efficient bidirectional on-board charger will be an enabling technology for affordable, fuel‑efficient plug-in electric vehicles and vehicle-to-grid applications.†said M.S. Huang, president of Delta Products Corporation.
“Delta has developed an energy-efficient solution for PEV on-board chargers, DC-DC converters, fast charger modules, battery disconnect units, and off-board charging station and site management systems,†Huang concluded.
