R&D Roadmap on Power Electronics, Machines, and Drives (PEMD)
The “R&D Roadmap on Power Electronics, Machines, and Drives (PEMD)”, developed by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), India, outlines key challenges and research priorities for overcoming obstacles to electric mobility. It emphasizes technological advancements in PEMD systems to meet the demands of EV adoption in India.
Key Highlights:
- Power Electronics Innovations:
- Transition from silicon-based to Wide Band Gap (WBG) semiconductors like SiC and GaN to improve efficiency, thermal stability, and switching speed.
- Development of advanced DC-DC converters, traction inverters, and integrated on-board chargers to support high-power applications and reduce size and cost.
- Traction Motor Advancements:
- Focus on low-cost, non-rare-earth motor technologies like Switched Reluctance Motors (SRM) and hybrid excited synchronous motors.
- Innovations in motor topologies to improve torque density, thermal management, and fault tolerance.
- Manufacturing Challenges and Solutions:
- Building a robust supply chain for semiconductor devices, capacitors, transformers, and motors.
- Promoting additive manufacturing and advanced packaging techniques for lightweight, compact, and efficient components.
- Recommendations:
- Establishing Centers of Excellence (CoE) for power electronics, traction motors, and integrated EV drive systems.
- Encouraging industry-academia collaboration for R&D in design, testing, and manufacturing.
- Leveraging existing initiatives like the India Semiconductor Mission for scaling up local manufacturing capabilities.
Way Forward:
The roadmap emphasizes a multi-stakeholder approach involving government, academia, and industry to create a sustainable ecosystem for EV technologies. It highlights the need for standardization, skill-building, and R&D investments to achieve India’s e-mobility goals.
CLICK HERE for more information.