The PowerModule is now ECE R100 Rev 2 certified

PowerModule battery system is certified ECE-R100 Revision 2

R100 Rev2 certification: a key pillar for electric mobility

R100 certification plays a fundamental role in the safe development of electric mobility, a key sector in the energy transition. Among the many challenges to be met, the safety of lithium-ion batteries, the dominant technology in this field, is crucial. These batteries stand out for their energy density and power, as well as their ease of use when charging and discharging. However, they also present significant risks, particularly in terms of fire.

That’s why battery certification has become essential. Several standards govern their manufacture, transport and use. For example, the UN38.3 standard is mandatory for the transport (by road, air or sea) of lithium-ion batteries from 100 units produced. The CE mark, meanwhile, certifies compliance with European requirements, particularly in terms of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).

What is ECE R100 certification?

R100 Rev2 certification is a European type-approval for electric road vehicles. Initially focused on powertrain safety requirements, the revised version, in force since 2016, imposes a series of rigorous new tests to validate the safety of battery packs.

To obtain R100 certification, batteries must prove their robustness under extreme conditions:

  • Vibrations
  • Mechanical shocks
  • Crushing under 10 tons
  • Thermal shocks and cycling
  • Fire resistance (over 2 minutes on a diesel fire)
  • Short circuit protection
  • Overload protection
  • Deep discharge protection
  • High temperature resistance

These tests require a high level of engineering. The mechatronic design and robustness of the BMS (Battery Management System) are therefore crucial.
Without this certification, an electric vehicle cannot legally circulate in Europe.

The R100 certification of the PowerModule is valid for M1 and N1 category vehicles:

  • Category M1 vehicle: a vehicle designed and constructed for the transport of persons and comprising, in addition to the driver’s seat, not more than eight seats
  • Category N1 vehicle: a vehicle designed and constructed for the transport of goods with a maximum weight of not more than 3.5 tonnes

Zeus’ride powered by PowerModule at Paris 2024 Olympics

Zeus'ride powered by PowerModule
A symbol of resilience, peace, solidarity and unity. The “horse” that rode through Paris on the occasion of the opening ceremony embodies the values at the heart of the partnership between PowerTech Systems, Atelier BLAM, MM Process, Transfluid and Paris 2024.

As well as being a powerful symbol, Zeus ride is also the result of the know-how and spirit of scientific and artistic innovation of a group of French companies.

The prototype is powered by a 130kW 384V motor, assembled inside the hull.

In addition to this, the central hull contains most of the electrical components, including energy storage:
-16 x PowerModule 48V (86kWh) propulsion batteries, batteries certified by Bureau Veritas ESTRIN
-1 x PowerBrick 48V-105Ah battery for the horse mechanism (5.37kWh)
-1 x PowerBrick 24V-50Ah battery for control and lighting (1.2kWh).

Zeus ride is a true technical challenge and a scene forever engraved in the eyes of the whole world. This is undoubtedly one of the most memorable creations of the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.

100% electric groomer powered by PowerModule

100% electric groomer powered by PowerModule

It’s a pretty baby, 9m long and weighing over 11 tons, that silently roams the French Alps to groom the ski slopes.
This snow groomer’s diesel engine (almost 13L in displacement) has been replaced by electric motors. These are more reliable and far more efficient than the original combustion engine. The result is a 100% electric machine, consuming four times less energy and with a range of 6 to 7 hours, the equivalent of a night’s work on the slopes.

Romain Dupon is heading the eponymous company based in Pontcharra (France). Romain is proud of his teams who, after several years’ hard work, have developed the world’s first 100% electric snow groomer.
Regarding the battery, PowerTech Systems collaborated with CM Dupon to provide the energy storage solution needed to power the vehicle. The ultimate objective was to get a 100% electric groomer powered by PowerModule.

Indeed, The PowerModule product range met all the project’s requirements. This means high energy density, extreme modularity to integrate the packs into the bodywork, ease of installation, and real-time monitoring of the installation.

For this project, 77 PowerModules are integrated on board the retrofitted “Alpine 510” snow groomer, constituting a 415 kWh, 600VDC Lithium Iron Phosphate battery pack.

The first snow groomers will go into operation this winter 2023 in various Alpine resorts (Tignes, La Plagne, …). This project is managed under the aegis of Compagnie des Alpes (CDA).

World premiere: “Ducasse sur Seine”, 100% Electric restaurant boat, fitted with the PowerModule / PowerRack battery system

Ducasse sur Seine electric boat - PowerRack
Ducasse sur Seine – PowerRack

PowerTech Systems is pleased to announce that it is equipping the “Ducasse sur Seine”, 100% electric boat with its  PowerRack®  modular lithium battery system.

This 100% electric boat (propulsion, on-board equipment, kitchens, etc.) is powered entirely by our Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries, representing a stored energy of 720 kWh divided into two totally independent PowerRack banks.

The PowerRack battery system, certified by Bureau Veritas in early 2018, consists of 24 cabinets of 30kWh in 700V DC, connected in parallel. These batteries represent a weight of about 9 tons on board. This cabinet system limits floor space and allows energy to be stacked over the entire height of the hull, making the installation compact and integrated into the boat.

The “Ducasse sur Seine” has been in production since September 10, 2018. It delights the taste buds of its passengers twice a day (lunch and dinner), every day of the week. The trip to the heart of Paris is done without vibrations, silently, and without any pollution.

The official inauguration of the new vessel took place on 25 September 2018 in the presence of Mrs Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris, and other personalities.

PowerTech and Shark Robotics partnership to fight COVID-19

PowerTech and Shark Robotics partnership to fight COVID
We are pleased to announce our partnership with the French Start Up Shark Robotics, which specialises in the manufacture of multi-role robots and whose vocation is to keep man away from risk.

Within this framework, PowerTech develops and supplies the batteries (PowerModule and PowerBrick) embedded in these autonomous robots, which are very robust and designed to replace man in delicate situations.

For example, the Colossus robot, a cute 500 kg baby, helped save Notre-Dame de Paris from flames in 2019
by manoeuvring the fire hose as close to the fire as possible, where the firefighters could not get to without risk to their lives.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, Shark Robotics has designed a new robot called “RHYNO PROTECT” whose mission is to spray disinfectant solutions over 20 000 m² in less than 3 hours, i.e. 2m² per second, without exposing humans to the risk of contamination.

Modular, this robot can also purify the air in confined environments, such as hospitals. An air purification option allows up to 99.99% of suspended pathogenic micro-organisms to be eliminated, thanks to a UV-C lamp.

These innovations are being exported, so much so that the prestigious American company Boston Robotics” is going to equip its “SPOT” robots with this decontamination add-on developed by Shark Robotics.

PowerTech Systems would like to honour all the medical personnel for their admirable mobilisation in this crisis, and is happy to participate indirectly in the war effort to combat the scourge that is COVID-19.
PowerTech and Shark Robotics partnership for lithium batteries
PowerTech and Shark Robotics partnership to fight COVID