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DGI plc
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=== Enhanced Drive Technology (EDT) === DGI PLC is developing ultra-high efficiency, compact, high reliability, cost-effective electric motors and electronics which have applications across a range of markets. In this business segment, the company has focused on developing electric drive systems which aim to deliver improved range over existing technology, based on the same battery capacity, by reducing energy losses and improving efficiency. '''Background''' To get an idea of the potential of the company’s technology it’s good to have a basic understanding of how electric vehicles (EVs) work. Put simply, an electric vehicle is powered by an electric powertrain. They are used instead of the internal combustion engines (ICEs) seen in liquid fuel powered vehicles. The powertrain contains the set of components that generate the power required to move the vehicle. It contains a number of key parts including the battery, which stores the energy needed to run the vehicle, power-electronics, software and electric motor. The power-electronics in an EV (the inverter), is a device that converts DC power from the battery to the AC power used by the motor. The inverter can change the torque and speed at which the motor operates by continually adjusting the magnitude and frequency of the alternating current. The job of a motor in an electric vehicle is to convert electrical energy (from the battery, via the inverter) to drive the vehicle's wheels through the application of torque (rotational force). Typically, motors work through the principles of electromagnetism and have two critical components; the stator – static electro-magnets; and the rotor mounted on a rotating axle. The coil becomes an electromagnet when current flows through it, with the attractive and repulsive forces of electromagnetism causing the rotor to spin continually as long as it receives a steady and controlled flow of electric current. The rotor is connected to the wheels and hence moves the vehicle. DGI’s focus has been upon addressing one of the main challenges in electric mobility; the range that EVs can travel before the battery needs to be recharged. As well as battery capacity, range is determined by powertrain efficiency. DGI has concentrated on improving both these fundamental factors. '''Technology''' EDT is a platform technology based on novel motor and power electronics’ architecture. Its key differentiators aim to reduce copper losses in the motor and improve reliability. The term copper losses refers to the energy dissipated (and therefore lost) by resistance in the copper wire used to wind a motor coil. EDT achieves a reduction of copper loss via a number of innovations including a novel shortening of the length of copper coil wire in the motor; multiple parallel power electronics architecture; changing or duplicating the location of the permanent magnet; and elimination of the need for permanent magnets by novel magnetic circuit design. As a result, EDT is able to run at lower voltages (as low as 50V instead of 400-800V), with reduced heat dissipation and together with better cooling, delivers advantages in terms of motor performance, reliability, and safety compared to existing solutions. This provides EDT with very low thermal constraints, enabling continuous operation at maximum power. The high motor efficiency across a large part of the speed/load range enables more miles from the same battery compared to more conventional motors. Overall, a key benefit of EDT is increased energy efficiency in an electric vehicle. This was demonstrated in recent simulation which predicted that the system increases the range of a passenger EV by up to 25% from the same battery pack, depending upon the drive cycle the vehicle travelled. '''Applications & Projects''' EDT is currently at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 4. This is an Industry-Standard ranking system used to assess the maturity level of a particular technology, with level 4 suggesting indicating a prototype has been demonstrated in a test or operational environment, with performance demonstrating the viability of the technology. As a platform technology, DGI PLC sees applications for EDT across a number of industries, with the technology offering multiple benefits across a range of sectors which use electric drive systems. These sectors include automotive, aerospace, marine and energy in multiple vehicle types including passenger cars, buses, pick-up trucks, helicopters, ships, submarines and wind turbines. The company is currently working on a number of projects for the application of EDT, with a focus on the commercial and defence automotive sectors, where product orders and other pre-order enquiries have already been made. Key partners include the UK government (Ministry of Defence), a major tier 1 supplier to commercial vehicle sector and a zero-emissions marine manufacturer. With internal product testing at an advanced stage and external client testing expected within 2022. Some of these projects include: '''UK Government/Ministry of Defence''' - DGI PLC has developed, with MoD funding, an electric hub motor, inverter and vehicle controller for potential use in the UK government’s fleet of all-wheel drive vehicles. Internal testing has been completed and four units have been delivered to the MoD for integration into an initial vehicle ahead of testing, which is expected to commence during 2022. Upon successful completion of field trials there is the prospect of further new vehicle drivetrain orders and potentially retrofitting existing all-wheel drive vehicles. Align Research understands that this particular deal has a high potential for significant near/medium-term product sales. '''Tier 1 supplier to commercial vehicle sector JV''' - Discussions are underway with an un-named major global Tier 1 supplier to commercial vehicle OEMs which manufactures powertrain components, with the aim of incorporating the system in its future electric drivetrain solution. '''Marine drive''' - Discussions are underway with large scale marine drive projects to enable significant reduction in emissions and energy consumption.
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