GRID PCS
Hillcrest is redefining power electronics for the modern grid. Our next-generation Grid Power Conversion System (PCS), built on our proprietary Zero Voltage Switching (ZVS) technology, is engineered to deliver industry-leading efficiency, thermal performance, and reliability—tailored for today’s dynamic grid environment and tomorrow’s evolving demands.
Why ZVS Matters in Grid Applications
Conventional inverter designs face inherent switching losses that result in heat generation, limited efficiency, and operational constraints. Hillcrest’s ZVS technology eliminates switching losses by timing switching events to occur when the voltage across the switch is near zero, unlocking new performance thresholds:
- +99% inverter efficiency, even across broad load ranges
- Lower thermal stress, enabling simplified, cost-effective cooling
- Reduced EMI, minimizing filtering requirements and ensuring regulatory compliance
- High switching frequencies, supporting cleaner power output and rapid control responses
Key Benefits for Grid-Connected Systems
Hillcrest’s ZVS platform unlocks several benefits aligned with the needs of utility-scale and distributed power systems:
- Industry-leading Efficiency: Inverter efficiency exceeding 99% helps minimize energy losses and reduce operational costs across the full load spectrum.
- Improved Thermal Performance: Lower heat generation simplifies system cooling, supporting operation in diverse and challenging environments.
- Reduced EMI: Lower electromagnetic interference enables easier regulatory compliance and decreases system filtering requirements.
- Enhanced Power Quality: High-frequency operation delivers cleaner AC waveforms with lower total harmonic distortion (THD).
- Faster System Response: Rapid control loops allow precise voltage and frequency regulation, supporting improved grid stability.
- Compact, Reliable Design: Reduced thermal and electrical stress enables smaller, more robust systems with extended operating lifespans.
Key Benefits for Grid-Connected Systems
Hillcrest’s ZVS platform unlocks several benefits aligned with the needs of utility-scale and distributed power systems:
- Industry-leading Efficiency: Inverter efficiency exceeding 99% helps minimize energy losses and reduce operational costs across the full load spectrum.
- Improved Thermal Performance: Lower heat generation simplifies system cooling, supporting operation in diverse and challenging environments.
- Reduced EMI: Lower electromagnetic interference enables easier regulatory compliance and decreases system filtering requirements.
- Enhanced Power Quality: High-frequency operation delivers cleaner AC waveforms with lower total harmonic distortion (THD).
- Faster System Response: Rapid control loops allow precise voltage and frequency regulation, supporting improved grid stability.
- Compact, Reliable Design: Reduced thermal and electrical stress enables smaller, more robust systems with extended operating lifespans.
Applications Across the Energy Landscape
While designed for grid-tied environments, the Hillcrest Grid PCS offers value far beyond traditional infrastructure:
- Renewable energy and energy storage systems benefit from consistent high efficiency and dynamic response.
- EV charging infrastructure demands high power density, reliability, and efficiency—areas where ZVS technology excels.
- Data centers require ultra-reliable, low-loss power delivery. ZVS’s reduced heat and EMI characteristics offer critical advantages.
- Industrial drive systems can improve energy efficiency and system performance with ZVS’s consistent performance across load conditions.
- Ancillary services such as voltage regulation, frequency response, and reactive power support are made more reliable through high-frequency, low-latency control.
Applications Across the Energy Landscape
While designed for grid-tied environments, the Hillcrest Grid PCS offers value far beyond traditional infrastructure:
- Renewable energy and energy storage systems benefit from consistent high efficiency and dynamic response.
- EV charging infrastructure demands high power density, reliability, and efficiency—areas where ZVS technology excels.
- Data centers require ultra-reliable, low-loss power delivery. ZVS’s reduced heat and EMI characteristics offer critical advantages.
- Industrial drive systems can improve energy efficiency and system performance with ZVS’s consistent performance across load conditions.
- Ancillary services such as voltage regulation, frequency response, and reactive power support are made more reliable through high-frequency, low-latency control.
Valuable impacts for data center applications
US$375K in potential annual energy savings for 100K ft2 data center with a 3% increase in UPS and PDU power conversion efficiency.
Assumptions:
- Annual 100K ft2 data center energy demand of 87.6 MWh
- 3% increase in inverter efficiency
- Average power price US$0.12
Valuable impacts for data center applications
US$375K in potential annual energy savings for 100K ft2 data center with a 3% increase in UPS and PDU power conversion efficiency.
Assumptions:
- Annual 100K ft2 data center energy demand of 87.6 MWh
- 3% increase in inverter efficiency
- Average power price US$0.12
Key highlights of the technical design include:
Product Development Milestone
Hillcrest’s first Grid PCS is a 200kW system currently under development, designed to support a wide range of applications from renewable energy to mission-critical infrastructure. Incorporating our validated ZVS technology, this system is being built to meet rigorous grid code compliance and power quality requirements. Customer demonstrations are anticipated in Q1 2026, marking a significant step toward the deployment of next-generation grid-tied power conversion.
Let’s connect to discuss new opportunities on how Hillcrest can support next grid applications.