In our future electric vehicle industry, semiconductor technology will provide grid operators with greater flexibility, thereby enabling them to better manage energy infrastructure.
With governments around the world committed to achieving sustainable development goals, the automotive industry plans to invest over $330 billion by 2025 to advance vehicle electrification, and the trend toward electric vehicles is now set.
But what happens when thousands of electric vehicles in a community are simultaneously connected to the grid, creating unprecedented electricity demand?
Electric vehicle charging needs to be fast, cost-effective, safe, and reliable; therefore, providing flexible infrastructure to generate, store, transmit, and distribute additional electricity is crucial for achieving electrification. Semiconductor technology is key to making charging more convenient, cost-effective, and sustainable.
Faster charging speeds enable more electric vehicles to travel more quickly.
For consumers who haven't yet trusted a product, change often brings uncertainty. This is also true for potential electric vehicle buyers. They need to grasp driving range, charging station availability, and the time required to get back on the road after starting a charge. Convenience and affordability are paramount, as family cars must be readily available so owners can quickly drive to the supermarket or take a spontaneous day trip. TI's cutting-edge technology will play a crucial role in achieving this. Embedded processing technologies, such as our C2000™ real-time microcontroller, work seamlessly with our isolated gate drivers and GaN power devices to improve charging efficiency.
Size is also crucial for efficiency improvements; therefore, reducing the size of portable DC chargers (such as DC wall-mounted charging cases) yields significant benefits and better cost-effectiveness. GaN technology supports operation at higher switching frequencies in multi-stage power topologies, allowing engineers to incorporate smaller magnetic components in their power system designs, thereby reducing component costs using copper and other raw materials. Fully integrated gallium nitride (GaN) power devices enable faster and more efficient charging compared to previous silicon-based materials. Furthermore, multi-stage topologies improve efficiency, reducing the power required for heat dissipation or cooling, which also contributes to lower overall costs.
Meanwhile, the capacity of DC fast charging stations has increased significantly. The previous standard capacity was 150 kW, but we are now researching capacities of 350 kW and above, and will continue to increase capacity. Therefore, electric vehicles will charge faster, helping to ensure that chargers do not become a bottleneck for getting more electric vehicles on the road.
Simplified charging technology
At a macro level, ideal power distribution and load sharing are crucial for ensuring infrastructure flexibility during peak usage. Smart technologies and bidirectional charging can help overcome these challenges by monitoring consumer habits and adjusting in real time.
Since most people stay home after get off work, there's a need to manage their simultaneous charging needs. Semiconductor technology can provide more flexible power distribution management through smart energy metering (which can simplify charging).
Current and voltage sensing technologies are more robust than ever before, facilitating grid connectivity and reducing energy consumption. Similar to weather-sensitive smart thermostats, smart energy metering using Wi-Fi® and Sub-1GHz standards (such as Wi-SUN®) can track real-time adjustments to energy pricing and make better power management decisions. In the US and Europe, solar-powered homes are expected to become an important part of energy storage and electric vehicle charging activities.
Bidirectional charging will allow consumers to feed excess electricity back into the grid. TI's energy metering technology can measure the current distribution between the electric vehicle, the consumer battery, and the grid. Bidirectional charging stations equipped with smart energy metering could revolutionize modern workplaces because electric vehicles are idle while owners are at work, allowing grid operators to meet demand through solar and wind power.
Electrification of common transactions
Time is precious, so shortening the charging process is crucial. This reduces on-the-go charging time and maximizes convenience. Drivers are already accustomed to gas stations, where they can refuel and pay quickly and easily. A technology exists that can provide electric vehicle drivers with similar payment and connectivity convenience. TI's Sitara processors with Linux software support the Open Charging Protocol (OCPP) and an ISO 15118 compliant vehicle-to-grid communication interface, enabling seamless transactions and information exchange between electric vehicles, charging stations, and utilities.
Ultimately, the convenience and availability of charging stations will be prioritized by consumers, helping to reduce range anxiety and further drive demand for electric vehicles. Whether it's improving accessibility, convenience, or affordability, our company's semiconductor technology will be a key component of the charging infrastructure, powering the transition to electrification.
