Page 12 - PEN eBook March 2022
P. 12
ENERGY STORAGE
Battery Technology
for Automotive: An
Interview with Vicor’s
Nicolas Richard
By Maurizio Di Paolo Emilio, editor-in-chief of Power Electronics News
Today’s automobile battery must do a lot more than just start the car and keep the radio on for
the journey. In the last 10 years, the amount of electricity required by car features and electronic
gadgets has doubled, and it is expected to increase again in the next five years. The 12-V battery is
responsible for powering everything from heated seats and entertainment systems to cutting-edge
safety features like pedestrian-detection systems, as well as sustaining the car’s electrical network
during the trip.
A high-voltage (HV) battery that drives the powertrain and an improved 12-V battery that performs
essential offloads are required for electric automobiles. When the HV system is turned off, the
12-V battery is used to safely initialize the HV battery and to power vehicle applications. During the
driving cycle, the HV battery recharges the 12-V battery and maintains loads.
36 MARCH 2022 | www.powerelectronicsnews.com
