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Drive Engineering & Power Electronics

The research area

Drive engineering and power electronics focus on the transformation of electrical energy and its conversion into force. Both these subjects are of fundamental importance for the whole energy flow, from production to consumption, in everyday life as well as in industrial environments.

The focus of the IMS' drive engineering and power electronics research area is on the development of powerful controls for alternative energies, the design of optimized drive chains in electro-mobility and the layout of electrical gears for machine and plant engineering. In order to guarantee that our solutions meet future energy requirements, high priority is given to their efficiency and the use of state-of-the-art methods and components in design and optimisation of systems.

Focus of the research area

Teamleader and contact person Drive Engineering & Power Electronics

Prof. Dr. Alberto Colotti

ZHAW School of Engineering
Forschungsschwerpunkt Drive Engineering & Power Electronics
Technikumstrasse 9
8400 Winterthur

+41 (0) 58 934 65 41
alberto.colotti@zhaw.ch

Projects in Drive Engineering and Power Electronics

Drives

eTrod

In cooperation with KYBURZ Switzerland AG in Freienstein, IMS has developed drive systems for electric vehicles in various different sizes. More information

Lisrel: Line Start Synchronous Reluctance Motor with High Efficiency

The reluctance Technology allows an increase in energy efficiency of electric drives without a higher demand on resources due to oversizing or the use of permanent magnets. More information

E-Drive: Electrical scooters of the latest generation

The aim of the E-Drive project was to develop an electrical drive system for motorised two- and three-wheelers. The most innovative part of the project is its vehicle and fleet management system. More information

Energy

SIgrid: Intelligent energy supply system

The SIgrid (Smart Interlocking Grid) project aims at developing an innovative, intelligent energy supply system. In this system, the energy supply of control and monitoring elements is based on a bus or ring structure. More information

GyroP: The role of kinetic storages in future energy supplies

In the GyroP project, a flywheel energy storage is used to analyse the potential role of kinetic storages in energy supplies of the future. A first step consists in designing a demonstrator of 1.5kW with an energy content of 0.3kW and modelling its properties. More information

Machines & Plants

Mecano: Design of a highly dynamic drive

In the Mecano project, a new type of drive system was specified and developed in close cooperation with an industry partner. Movements that were so far generated mechanically are now realised with a peripheral electric drive. The developed system has to provide extreme acceleration capabilities within very little space. More information

Measuring and Testing of Electric Motors, Modelling

Being an independent authority the IMS performs measurements and tests of electrical drives. Or laboratory provides several test stands of different power classes as well as a number of modern, high-quality measuring instruments.

For example the degree of efficiency of an asynchronous motor can be determined it can be categorized into efficiency classes according to IEC 60034-30.This is going to become more and more important due to the directive for ecological design. Inverters with currents up to 32 A are available. Measurements are conducted with power analysers and torque shafts up to 100 Nm and 100’000 rpm. In addition to the metrological determination of motor parameters evaluations, calculations and modelling are performed for the identification of potentials to increase efficiency of the whole mechatronical system. More information