Energy Landscape Set To Get A Shot In Arm With New Tech Useful For EVs
Indian tech firm LWT, in collaboration with the Austrian Institute of Technology, demonstrates the world's first megawatt-scale EV charger
EV charger technology inauguration in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday
Visakhapatnam: A groundbreaking achievement in power electronics is poised to redefine high-speed charging for electric vehicles (EVs) such as trucks, maritime vessels, and aviation systems with the successful demonstration of a Megawatt-Scale Medium Voltage Charger, powered by state-of-the-art Solid-State Transformer (SST) technology, marking a transformative leap in the global energy landscape.
Developed under the Joint Development Program (JDP) “Project Blue Berry”, a collaboration between Lotus Wireless Technologies (LWT), India, and the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT), this fully internally funded project by LWT showcases India’s growing capability to invest in, absorb, and advance cutting-edge technologies.
Managing director of LWT Maninder Singh told Bizz Buzz after the event that theirs is the first company globally to showcase this technology for quick charging with one megawatt charger and thanked AIT for taking forward the concept and collaborating for technical support.
Under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Markus Makoschitz and his team from AIT Austria, the SST design and engineering is further indigenised, enabling the use of major local components for mass production of megawatt-scale EV chargers in India.
This development adheres to global standards while embodying the Make in India initiative. The SST-powered charger can deliver megawatt-level power in a compact, scalable design directly connected to the medium voltage grid without the traditional transformer.
Dr. Friederich Kupzog, a leading authority in energy systems in Europe and Head of Energy at AIT Vienna, at an event organised here on Tuesday praised the achievement during his visit to LWT's Medium Voltage Power Electronics Lab here.
He remarked, “This development underscores the importance of collaborative innovation and joint development in transforming ideas from the lab into scalable, market-ready solutions. The success here highlights the technical expertise of AIT Vienna and its partners in addressing global energy challenges.”
Adding to the accolades, Prof. Kaushik Basu from the Indian Institute of Science, who also witnessed the demonstration, commented “this marks a new beginning in medium voltage product development in the country. It is an excellent example of leveraging global partnerships to create indigenous capabilities in advanced technologies.”
Director R&D, LWT Binu S Pillai, shared, “this milestone is a testament to the collaborative efforts between LWT and AIT. The medium voltage based solid-state transformer jointly developed addresses the global demand for efficient, scalable solutions in fast charging, marine electrification, and aviation systems. It also reflects our commitment to make in India world-class solutions that drive sustainable energy transitions. This would not have been possible without the invaluable support and expertise of AIT.”
This collaborative success highlights the synergy between Indian detailed engineering and mass manufacturing capabilities and Austrian innovative expertise, advancing transformative and sustainable energy technologies globally. India's breakthrough in medium voltage power electronics is set to power the future of electrification across industries, positioning the country as a leader in global energy innovation.
