On the 17th, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering participated in the conference and exhibition Driving Energy Transition in EU: the Role of Electric Mobility, organized by the EV4EU project.

Luís Bucho and Pedro Bhagubai, PhD students, attended on behalf of the Electric Machines Laboratory. Both students support the VIENA (Autonomous Navigation Electric Vehicle) project, supervised by Professor João Fernandes. The VIENA, which was showcased through several videos, involves the development of an electric vehicle capable of traveling using the GPS system without a driver, and involves several master's students. In the field of electric mobility, Professor João Fernandes is also involved in the SEMS4USV project (Smart Energy Management System for Sustainable Extended-Range Marine Unmanned Surface Vehicles), supported by Frontex. This project focuses on the development of an electric maritime vehicle that uses photovoltaic energy.

Luís Bucho demonstrated, through a video, how cryogenic tests are carried out: using liquid nitrogen at -200°C, it is possible to increase the propulsion density of motors and assist in their cooling, a process that could be applied to next-generation electric aircraft.

Pedro Bhagubai also presented his research work, which focuses on the study of cobalt alloy use in the construction of electric motor cores and its application in electric vehicles, as this material helps to increase power density. Currently, he is using the Formula Student team’s vehicle from Técnico (FST) in Lisbon as a case study.

Rafael Rodrigues, a student in the Master’s program in Electrical and Computer Engineering, participated in the DEEC stand with his work: Smart Grid Optimization: V2G Systems and Blockchain Transactions, where he developed a Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) solution integrated with blockchain technology to improve energy distribution efficiency and reduce costs for electric vehicle owners.

Throughout the day, several students from the Electrical and Computer Engineering, Electronics, and Aerospace Engineering programs were also present and showcased the latest technological advancements made by student groups in the areas of energy, electronic systems, and control systems within the scope of electric mobility.

The stand featured Gonçalo Teixeira (a graduate in Electrical and Computer Engineering - LEEC) and Alexandre Marques (a student in Aerospace Engineering - LEAer), representing the Mobile Energy Sustainability Project (PSEM), showcasing some of the trophies won by the group in recent competitions.

Representing Técnico Solar Boat, Vasco Oliveira, Tomás Corral, and Diogo Carvalho (students of LEEC), José Figueiredo, Miguel Roça, and Afonso Coelho (students in the Master's program in Electrical and Computer Engineering - MEEC), and Carolina Araújo (a student of LEAer) were present. The students displayed the battery of their prototype and explained the functioning of its electronic components.

Miguel Velo (a student of MEEC) was present representing FST Lisboa and showcased part of a three-phase inverter, developed as part of the master's thesis completed last year by a former team member. This component is used in the energy conversion of the prototype.

Afonso Andrade, Hugo Teixeira, and Rafael Santos (students of MEEC) represented TLMoto, also displaying some of the electronic components of their prototype.

TLMoto also made available for display its latest prototype of an electric motorcycle: the TLMoto4e.