Powertrains that perform highly dynamic oscillating trajectories typically require components capable of delivering and absorbing high current spikes and exposing the energy source to which they are connected to high peak loads. In addition, in some cases, the energy returned from the load during braking cannot be returned to the primary energy source and is burned in braking resistors.

The addition of energy storage components to the drivetrain can help average power spikes, resulting in stabilization of the power flows and allowing drivetrain components to be reduced in size, resulting in lower costs.

Interesting components for storing peak power energy for oscillating powertrains are capacitors and springs. Springs have the advantage of being close to the varying load resulting in low energy conversion losses during energy exchange between load and energy storage component. Capacitors can be connected to the DC bus by an active DC-DC converter, allowing more flexible, active control of the energy flows to and from the capacitors. Oscillating drivetrains often already contain other peak power averaging components such as inductances and flywheels rigidly connected to the drivetrain.

There is currently a lack of an integrated design methodology to design oscillating powertrains with such fast peak power energy storage devices in an optimal way with respect to energy consumption and total cost of ownership (TCO), including high lifetime requirements.

The overall goal of this project is to develop the required technology for the TCO-optimized design of fast energy storage powertrains for peak power for oscillatory motion applications.