Omron Electronic Components Europe has announced it will showcase a range of new innovations that support efficiency and reduction of energy losses for EV charging, electricity storage systems (ESS) and solar applications at the smarter E Europe Exhibition 2024. The exhibition, which takes place in Munich on June 19-21, 2024, brings together the latest developments and innovations to aid in the transition towards greener energy sources. The theme for this year’s exhibition is “Accelerating Integrated Energy Solutions”. Omron will be demonstrating its latest solutions on stand B6.680.
Among the highlights on the stand will be the company’s G9KC PCB power relay for AC wall boxes, designed for use with 3-phase EV charging installations. The relay possesses an extremely low contact resistance, reaching a guaranteed 6 milliohms in normal operation, and 1 milliohm in optimal conditions. This compares with a guaranteed 10 milliohm contact resistance found in other equivalent products available on the market. The low contact resistance reduces heat inside the wall box, improving charging speed while also reducing strain on electronic components. Its high-power density can also facilitate more compact mode 3 wall box designs.
Also on the stand will be a demonstration of the B5L Omron’s Time of Flight (ToF) sensor, and its potential for use in EV charging stations. ToF devices can capture multiple scenes simultaneously to determine an accurate understanding of the objects around it, allowing robots to manoeuvre around objects and hazards. Omron has developed an algorithm specifically for EV charging plug recognition, allowing fully automated robotic connection between vehicle and charger. The B5L sensor’s high level of light immunity allows it to be used in almost all conditions, while also being more cost-effective than equivalent 2D and 3D LiDAR technologies.
Omron will also be showcasing the G9KB-E, a high voltage 800V 50A DC relay rating for use in high-capacity household electricity storage systems. It achieves both DC switching control and safe cut-off with the use of a single relay, reducing the quantity of relays per system with its bidirectional (no polar) switching capability. The relay harnesses arc cut-off technology to safely and securely cut off high-capacity DC. 3D arc simulation technology has been used to visualize the arc phenomenon and optimize the arc cut-off process, resulting in a more compact design with improved safety compared to competing technologies. Other highlights for EV charging include the new G7L-X DC relay for wall boxes, the G9KA-E high power relay for DC fast chargers, and the G9KB-E for DC switching.
The company’s offering for ESS applications will also be represented on the stand. Omron has recently added to its G9EC family of DC power relays with the introduction of the G9EC-X1, capable of switching 1 kV 100A DC loads. The device can stand a continuous carry current of 200A at 85˚C, with an extremely low contact resistance.
For solar PV applications, Omron will be showcasing its G9KA-E 300A PCB power relay. This has been developed in response to the ongoing shift from centralized systems to distributed systems as more renewable sources are added to the grid. Facilities for energy generation are becoming larger and more complex, while the capacity of PV inverters is also increasing. As such, relay heat dissipation within PV applications is a growing challenge. The G9KA has an ultra-low contact resistance of 0.2mΩ, which suppresses heat generated and minimizes losses to improve overall power generation efficiency.
A new weather sensor from Omron will also feature on the smarter E Europe stand. Designed for use in energy infrastructure, the sensor is easy to install and maintain, and provides advanced sensing of wind direction, wind velocity, rainfall, temperature, humidity, pressure and light to inform detailed weather forecasting for solar plants and wind farms.
