AC Dynamometer

The Research Centre Sustainable Industries at Karel de Grote University of Applied Sciences and Arts (KdG) has conducted research for more than 20 years on the effects of sustainable fuels on the behaviour, performance, and emissions of combustion engines. In addition, substantial experience has been built in the development of electric drivetrains. The expertise of the research centre covers passenger vehicles, freight transport, maritime applications, industrial machinery, and motorsport.

It has become clear that electrification plays an important role in the energy transition; however, for the decarbonisation of heavier and more industrial applications still relying on combustion engines, industry is once again looking towards alternative and sustainable fuels. Due to the rapidly increasing interest in methanol, hydrogen and other biofuels, and in order to further professionalise ongoing research on electric drivetrains, the Research Centre Sustainable Industries is investing in a new powertrain test bench for both electric drivetrains and combustion engines. A higher-capacity AC dynamometer with energy recovery is being installed, enabling regenerative braking tests for electric drivetrains and allowing research on sustainable fuels to be expanded to include industrial and maritime combustion engines. The new infrastructure recovers the required braking energy as electricity and uses the generated heat to warm the automotive technology centre at KdG. As a result, the ecological footprint of the Research Centre Sustainable Industries and the KdG Hoboken campus is reduced.