Grant: Alliance Grants
University of Windsor
$689,153.00
Advanced Modular Powertrain Systems (AMPS) for Electric Vehicles
FY 2024-25
Summary
Electric vehicle (EV) adoption and environmental benefits hinge on the existence of cost-effective, lightweight, and high-efficiency powertrain solutions. Optimal energy storage and management are crucial challenges as batteries represent most vehicles' cost and weight. To enable economic and technological advancements, Magna International Inc. has partnered with select universities in Ontario and Quebec with the University of Windsor as the lead institution. The goal of this partnership is to investigate the application of modular multi-level converters to innovate and develop an advanced modular powertrain system (AMPS) for EV applications with significantly improved efficiency, cost and reliability via improvements in software, hardware and manufacturing. The AMPS modular structure combines battery, battery management systems (BMS), driving, and charging functionalities in a single system. This results in substantial efficiency benefits, cost and weight reductions compared to conventional EVs that have separate subsystems for each of these functions.
Well beyond the co-packaging explored in the industry, the AMPS modular structure uses the same semiconductor switches to perform all power conversion functions in the vehicle. The AMPS will be validated for driving and charging operations, showcasing cost-reduction and performance improvement over conventional EV powertrain systems.
Developing this technology in Canada adds to Canada's economic competitiveness and develops its EV R&D market. Our research project will train highly qualified personnel whose advanced skill sets will benefit Canadian industry and further Canada's international reputation as a technology innovator.
Canadians will be able to take pride in having a made-in-Canada solution to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) that benefit Canadian's health and the environment while breaking boundaries in technology. This will aid Canada in attaining its net zero emissions goal while reinforcing Canada's reputation as a responsible global citizen.
Program
Alliance Grants
Recipient
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
595970-2024
Name nom
Kar, Narayan NC
Department département
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Organization id
37
Institution établissement
University of Windsor
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2024
Competition year année de concours
2024
Award amount
689153
Program id
ALLRP
Program name en
Alliance Grants
Program name fr
Subventions Alliance
Group en
RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS
Group fr
PARTENARIATS DE RECHERCHE
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
513
Area of application group en
Manufacturing processes and products
Area of application group fr
Procédés et produits industriels
Area of application en
Electrical and electronic machinery and equipment (including computer hardware)
Area of application fr
Machinerie et équipement électriques et électroniques (y compris matériel informatique)
Research subject code
2516
Research subject group en
Electrical and electronic engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie électrique et électronique
Research subject en
Energy conversion and distribution
Research subject fr
Conversion et distribution de l'énergie
Field of research list names en
Not available
Field of research list names fr
Non disponible
Socioeconomic objective list names en
Not available
Socioeconomic objective list names fr
Non disponible
Application title
Advanced Modular Powertrain Systems (AMPS) for Electric Vehicles
Keywords
battery integrated powertrain; control; dc-dc converter; digital twin; electric vehicles; integrated charging; motor drive; multi-level converter; power electronic converters
Application summary
Electric vehicle (EV) adoption and environmental benefits hinge on the existence of cost-effective, lightweight, and high-efficiency powertrain solutions. Optimal energy storage and management are crucial challenges as batteries represent most vehicles' cost and weight. To enable economic and technological advancements, Magna International Inc. has partnered with select universities in Ontario and Quebec with the University of Windsor as the lead institution. The goal of this partnership is to investigate the application of modular multi-level converters to innovate and develop an advanced modular powertrain system (AMPS) for EV applications with significantly improved efficiency, cost and reliability via improvements in software, hardware and manufacturing. The AMPS modular structure combines battery, battery management systems (BMS), driving, and charging functionalities in a single system. This results in substantial efficiency benefits, cost and weight reductions compared to conventional EVs that have separate subsystems for each of these functions.
Well beyond the co-packaging explored in the industry, the AMPS modular structure uses the same semiconductor switches to perform all power conversion functions in the vehicle. The AMPS will be validated for driving and charging operations, showcasing cost-reduction and performance improvement over conventional EV powertrain systems.
Developing this technology in Canada adds to Canada's economic competitiveness and develops its EV R&D market. Our research project will train highly qualified personnel whose advanced skill sets will benefit Canadian industry and further Canada's international reputation as a technology innovator.
Canadians will be able to take pride in having a made-in-Canada solution to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) that benefit Canadian's health and the environment while breaking boundaries in technology. This will aid Canada in attaining its net zero emissions goal while reinforcing Canada's reputation as a responsible global citizen.
