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Professors Javier Pereda and Félix Rojas, from the Electrical Engineering Department at the Catholic University (UC), presented a revolutionary hybrid solar inverter with second-life battery storage, designed to help families reduce their electricity costs. This device, a multi-port hybrid inverter, integrates with the home electrical grid and allows several appliances to be connected simultaneously, including electric car chargers. It also combines solar panels and reused batteries, optimizing energy use and reducing costs. The system detects consumption in real time and, when the home’s power is about to exceed its limit, automatically resorts to solar energy or batteries, improving self-consumption and avoiding investments in additional capacity. It has seven operating modes adapted to household habits, such as charging batteries at lower cost times or taking advantage of solar energy in the middle of the day. In August, a test will be conducted in a home in Santiago to demonstrate its benefits. The innovation, funded by FONDEF and supported by various institutions, is part of ANID’s Engineering 2030 program, which seeks to promote research and technological development in Chile. This advance represents an accessible, easy-to-install solution with great potential to transform energy consumption in the country’s homes.

A major advance in the sustainable transport sector has been achieved by experts from the Department of Electrical Engineering at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. Thanks to an innovative power converter developed by academics led by Professor Javier Pereda, electric vehicles can now offer greater power and longer range. This development, supported by the National Commission for Scientific and Technological Research (Conicyt) through the National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development (Fondecyt), seeks to optimize the use of clean and high-quality energy in transportation. The key to this innovation lies in a more efficient, cost-effective, and compact power converter compared to conventional models, which allows the delivery of high-quality voltage and reduces costs and complexity in vehicle systems. Professor Pereda explained that one of the greatest challenges in electric vehicles is energy storage, as current batteries do not offer practical autonomy at reasonable costs. Therefore, the technology developed allows the use of more than one energy backup system, significantly improving the efficiency and lifespan of the batteries. In addition, the researchers have developed new optimization algorithms for the vehicles’ computer systems, which increase the quality of the energy delivered and, consequently, the power to the motor. This advancement not only benefits the vehicles themselves, but also has potential impact on the mass adoption of these models in the market, on the creation of charging stations, and on the management of energy storage systems. Javier Pereda emphasized that this small yet significant step positions Chile at the international forefront in renewable energy and sustainable transport technologies. “It shows that in our country there are laboratories and scientific capabilities to contribute to the development of clean and renewable energies,” he said. This advancement represents a concrete hope for a more sustainable and efficient transportation future, and demonstrates Chile’s commitment to technological innovation and environmental care.

In the monthly meeting of professors, Mr. Juan Dixon was awarded Emeritus Professor. Besides, Felipe Larrain, director of the Latinamerican Center of Social and Economics Policies, exposed about the activities organized by the center (reed more).

iSolar UC members, along with UC community and members of different energy companies (ABB, BOSCH, Bbosch, Greenheart UK) celebrated the inauguration of the photovoltaic plant (Link). The ceremony consisted in two moments. Firstly, Daniela Muñoz and Andrés Yenes (1st and 2nd iSolar UC Captains and Cofounders) presented the project history and technical details. After that, project members, Professor David Watts, Professor Javier Pereda and other special guests went to the roof of the building José Luis del Río Rondanelli to visit the plant and take the official photograph. General public could register in one of three guided tours to the plant that were performed at 15:00, 15:30 and 16:00.