Thursday 26th June 2025 at 10am, in Salle Hooper, 3rd floor at IBM building, 14 Rue Jean Rostand, 91400 Orsay
Salle Hooper,
3rd floor at IBM building,
14 Rue Jean Rostand, 91400 Orsay
Speakers: Antonio Sánchez-Squella (Federico Santa María Technical University)
Title: Power electronics and energy control applied to H2 electric vehicles and production of H2
Abstract: The growing global emphasis on clean energy and decarbonization has intensified the development of hydrogen (H₂) technologies, particularly in transportation and energy systems. Hydrogen electric vehicles (H₂ EVs) represent a promising solution for sustainable mobility, especially in sectors where battery-electric vehicles face limitations, such as long-haul transportation and heavy-duty applications. This seminar focuses on the pivotal role of power electronics and energy control systems in enabling and optimizing both hydrogen production and its use in H₂ electric vehicles.
Power electronics are fundamental to the hydrogen energy chain. In hydrogen production, especially via water electrolysis powered by renewable energy sources, efficient power conversion is essential. Power converters ensure optimal operation of electrolyzers by stabilizing voltage and current, adapting to variable renewable inputs such as solar and wind energy. Advanced energy control algorithms—such as maximum power point tracking (MPPT), demand-side management, and grid synchronization—enhance system performance, increase hydrogen yield, and reduce energy losses.
In H₂ electric vehicles, power electronics enable the control and management of complex energy flows between fuel cells, batteries, and electric motors. This includes DC-DC converters for voltage adaptation, inverters for motor drive control, and regenerative braking systems to recover energy. Coordinated energy control strategies optimize fuel efficiency, vehicle performance, and battery lifespan, while ensuring seamless transitions between different power sources.
The seminar will also explore emerging technologies such new architectures of static converters, which offer higher efficiency, and compact design for power conversion implementations. These nnovations are accelerating the deployment of scalable and cost-effective hydrogen solutions. Through a comprehensive overview of current technologies, real-world applications, and future trends, this seminar highlights how power electronics and intelligent energy control are driving the advancement of hydrogen mobility and sustainable hydrogen production in the evolving energy landscape.
Bio: An electrical engineer with over 10 years of experience in industrial projects and a PhD in automation, he is an expert in electrical protection in industrial distribution systems, power electronics, and hydrogen applications. He has carried out technical assistance projects related to the use of hydrogen in mining and participated in the Public-Private Roundtable for the development of the General Regulations for Hydrogen Installations, organized by the Ministry of Energy. Between July 2020 and January 2021, he served as a permanent advisor on hydrogen issues for the Chilean Senate’s “Challenges of the Future” initiative. He was
specifically invited to participate in the committee to promote Green Hydrogen in Chile as chair of the Energy Subcommittee, an initiative promoted by the Senate’s Committee on Challenges of the Future, Science, and Technology. Since 2013, he has been a professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the Federico Santa María Technical University, where his research focuses on the development of power electronics and energy management in hydrogen technologies. He has written numerous articles and projects funded by the
Chilean government.
