ORNL researchers have achieved a groundbreaking milestone in wireless power transfer technology by successfully demonstrating a 270-kW transfer to a Porsche Taycan electric vehicle. This achievement, accomplished in collaboration with Volkswagen Group of America, represents a significant advancement in fast wireless charging.
The project builds upon ORNL’s previous success with a 100-kW wireless charging demonstration, showcasing the research team’s expertise and innovation in this field. Lee Slezak, from DOE’s Vehicle Technologies Office, highlighted the importance of these achievements in accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles in the United States.
The Porsche Taycan presented a unique challenge for wireless charging due to its limitations in space, weight, and volume for traditional charging systems. ORNL’s polyphase wireless charging system, utilizing lightweight electromagnetic coils, overcame these obstacles, enabling a higher power density in a compact design.
The system’s design, which incorporates rotating magnetic fields, allows for the transfer of extremely high power levels efficiently. This innovative approach, integrated seamlessly into the vehicle’s undercarriage, represents a significant technological breakthrough in wireless charging.
Moreover, the wireless power transfer technology includes advanced protection systems to ensure safe and efficient charging by preventing voltage and current limits, overheating, and short-circuiting. These features guarantee a reliable and secure charging experience for users.
Omer Onar, ORNL’s lead researcher on the Porsche demonstration, emphasized the system’s remarkable power density and efficiency, making it the most lightweight charging system in the world. The ability to achieve a 50% increase in state of charge within 10 minutes with over 95% efficiency demonstrates the system’s exceptional performance.
The successful 270-kW demonstration is the result of a collaborative effort between ORNL and Volkswagen, aiming to develop the highest-power density wireless charging system. By leveraging Volkswagen’s expertise in vehicle integration, the research team has made significant progress in advancing wireless charging technology.
Lyndon Lie, Volkswagen Group of America’s chief engineering officer, recognized the transformative potential of wireless charging for electric vehicles, making charging more convenient and encouraging zero-emission adoption. The partnership between ORNL and Volkswagen aims to further refine and commercialize the 270-kW charging prototype for future deployment in production vehicles.
Looking ahead, ORNL researchers are exploring the possibilities of applying their polyphase wireless system to various vehicle types, including heavy-duty freight and transport trucks. These efforts align with DOE’s goal of developing fast-charging systems that deliver 250 to 300 kilowatts to electric vehicles, reducing charging time to 15 minutes or less.
Overall, the successful demonstration of the 270-kW wireless power transfer system represents a significant step towards a future where electric vehicles can recharge quickly and efficiently, driving the widespread adoption of sustainable transportation solutions.