Bi-directional E-PTO and electrical implements

Challenge

The electrification of commercial and off-highway vehicles is in full swing in Flanders and Europe. Here, the driving range of these battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) is a critical parameter. When additional users (cooling, tools, cranes, hydraulic groups, etc.) are present on top of the drive, it quickly becomes a complex story to provide efficient energy distribution (via an electric Power-Take-Off, or ePTO). Today, there are few standards to fall back on that provide a solution to make the implementation reliable, reusable and scalable.  Efficient charging within the grid’s cost dynamics is another key consideration for companies, where a trailer-integrated energy storage represents an important opportunity.

Project goal

With this project we want to demonstrate the possibilities, define possible implementations of standards and advice for electrified tools and validate them with the industry, also looking at their homologation. The electrified connection can provide on-board production (PV, hydrogen, ...), energy sharing (battery extension) or consumption (cooling system, additional loads, tools, ...). The BIDIREPTO project aims to develop a platform that allows electrified transport and tools to be more efficient, flexible and sustainable. This, taking into account the various needs within the entire value chain (technology suppliers, products, end users, energy market players).