A 20-kilowatt wireless charging system has achieved 90 percent efficiency at three times the rate of the plug-in systems commonly used for electric vehicles, says the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Toyota, Cisco Systems, Evatran, and Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research contributed to the technology development.
The researchers are targeting 50-kilowatt wireless charging next, which would match the power levels of commercially available plug-in quick chargers. Providing the same speed with the convenience of wireless charging could increase consumer acceptance of electric vehicles, and is considered a key enabler for hands-free, autonomous vehicles. Higher power levels are also essential for powering larger vehicles such as trucks and buses.
The ORNL system emphasizes on radio communications in the power regulation feedback channel augmented by software control algorithms, according to a press release issued by the lab.
You can watch a video of the demonstration here:
[Image/video courtesy: Oak Ridge National Laboratory]