Briefs: New Tech in EVs, Nuclear Energy, and Battery Management

Vehicle electrification and artificial intelligence are transforming daily life, and tech companies are responding by developing next-generation technology and securing energy generation and transmission for the coming years.

In the electric vehicle space, Hyundai has unveiled an 800 V electric van, while ProLogium and Delta are collaborating on solid-state battery management systems. Purdue University and its partners are working on wirelessly charging heavy-duty e-trucks. Meanwhile, Meta has purchased power from nuclear plants for its data centers, and MISO is developing a high-voltage “transmission backbone” for the Upper Midwest.

EVs and data centers are driving tech innovations.

Hyundai Debuts Multi-Purpose EV With 800 V Architecture

Hyundai has unveiled the Staria Electric, a multi-purpose electric van featuring 800 V architecture, rapid charging, and vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities.

According to the company, the vehicle can charge from 10 to 80% in about 20 minutes with a DC fast charger. The 84 kWh lithium-ion battery offers up to 400 km of range. The high-performance powertrain delivers 350 Nm of torque for a maximum speed of 184 km/h.

The Staria Electric. Image used courtesy of Hyundai

The two V2L ports, interior and exterior, allow users to power electronics such as laptops, camping gear, and tools.

The Staria is also available as a hybrid.

ProLogium and Delta Partner for Next-Gen BMS

ProLogium and Delta have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a next-generation battery energy management system for the energy and smart mobility industries.

The deal pairs ProLogium’s solid-state battery (SSB) technology with Delta’s power management solutions and aims to accelerate the mass production of SSBs with high-functional-safety battery management systems.

Testing the conductivity of ProLogium’s solid-state battery. Image used courtesy of ProLogium

ProLogium’s SSBs feature a nonflammable superfluidized inorganic solid-state electrolyte, designed to passivate active materials and prevent thermal runaway under extreme heat and stress. According to ProLogium, the SSB charges five to six times faster than traditional liquid-electrolyte systems and provides high conductivity in temperatures as low as -20°C.

Indiana Installs Dynamic Wireless Charging for Heavy-Duty Electric Trucks

Indiana is the latest location for a dynamic wireless EV charging demonstration. Purdue University teamed up with the Indiana Department of Transportation to install a quarter-mile stretch of wireless charging along U.S. 52/231 in West Lafayette. The charging segment allows heavy-duty electric semis to charge wirelessly while traveling at highway speeds.

The wireless charging coils under the highway. Image used courtesy of Purdue University

In a test, the system delivered 190 kW to a semi truck driving at 65 mph. Purdue University noted that the power level is higher than previous similar demonstrations.

Cummins, Inc., provided the prototype Class 8 electric truck and worked with Purdue to integrate the receiver into the truck’s battery management system. Cummins had worked with Oak Ridge National Laboratory to develop the charging system.

Meta Secures 20-Year Plan for Energy from 3 Nuclear Plants

Tech giant Meta has signed power purchase agreements (PPAs) with Vistra to secure over 2,600 MW of nuclear energy from three plants in Ohio and Pennsylvania. The deal provides Meta with carbon-free energy for AI development and to meet sustainability goals. The PPA will begin in late 2026, with full capacity reached by 2034.

The Perry and Davis-Besse nuclear plants in Ohio will supply 2,176 MW. Another 433 MW will result from expanded capacity achieved through nuclear uprates (equipment upgrades) at the Ohio plants and the Beaver Valley facility in Pennsylvania.

The Perry Nuclear Plant. Image used courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

The agreements also give Vistra the financial security needed to seek a license extension, which could extend the plants’ operating lives through 2067.

Meta also has nuclear deals with TerraPower, Oklo, and Constellation Energy. It operates 26 data centers in the U.S., including the Bowling Green Data Center campus in Ohio (with two data centers).

MISO To Develop High-Voltage ‘Transmission Backbone’ in Wisconsin

The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MIS) has partnered with American Electric Power (AEP) and Berkshire Hathaway Energy (BHE) to develop a 190-mile stretch of its high-power transmission line project in Wisconsin.

The 765-kV transmission line is part of a $22 billion Long-Range Transmission Plan, which aims to create a “transmission backbone” across MISO’s central and northern service area to improve grid reliability. Pending regulatory approval, the project must be operational by June 1, 2034.

MISO also selected Viridon Midcontent to construct a $350 million, 345 kV project running 105 miles in Southeast Wisconsin. The deadline for this part of the project is June 1, 2033. Five additional projects in the plan are open to competitive bidding.