The university’s Faculty of Electrical Engineering has opened a new electromobility laboratory. Its launch was made possible thanks to the support of LG Energy Solution Wrocław, which funnelled a donation of 600,000 PLN into the project. 

During the workroom opening ceremony, Professor Tomasz Nowakowski, Vice-Rector for Organisation and Development of the University, said that the tertiary institution's recently adopted strategy for 2023–2030 set out aims including building a multidisciplinary European university.  

“This Europeanness, in addition to scientific and teaching activities, includes being part of the Unite! network of universities working on how to educate students to become modern engineers. At Wrocław Tech, we provide training to students in several classical as well as modern fields of study, such as electromobility. Being able to use a state-of-the-art laboratory will enhance the quality of the education while enabling valuable scientific research work,” said the Vice-Rector. 

Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Poland Shik Kim emphasised that for South Korea, Poland is a very important European partner, and the strategic partnership between our countries already came into being in 2013.  

“However, since last year, the word ‘strategic’ has taken on a particular meaning, particularly in areas such as the defence industry, energy, or infrastructure. Such a major leap in the collaboration between Poland and South Korea did not come suddenly. It resulted from previous long-standing efforts that were the foundations for the cooperation to become deeper and deeper. I am very pleased that the next step in our relationship has been taken by LG and Wrocław University of Science and Technology,” added Shik Kim.  

Electromobility is the future 

“Two years ago, we created a new degree programme at our faculty, which was electromobility, and we need appropriate laboratory facilities for its further development, which is why we have partnered with LG Energy Solution Wrocław to support us in this area,” says Prof. Waldemar Rebizant, Dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering. “Our cooperation has already resulted in lectures delivered by LG specialists, our students’ trips to the Biskupice Podgórne plant, and now also this modern laboratory,” he adds. 

With the company's support, the new electromobility laboratory includes, among other apparatus, control stations for different types of electric drives with all kinds of modern motors used in electromobility. Importantly, students will also be able to use state-of-the-art solutions for research staff to rapidly prototype control systems. 

“In our laboratory, we can determine the various stages of energy conversion. Uniquely, the workstations are equipped with rapid prototyping systems to allow students to design their own AC and DC motor control structures in various configurations. This is something previously unheard of at Polish universities,” said Maciej Skowron, PhD, Eng. of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, head of the laboratory. “At the other stations, you can analyse the impact of how the batteries interact with the power transmission system and each other,” he explained. 

Thanks to the collaboration with Ecobike, the laboratory also includes stations with electric bicycles to enable the analysis of the operation of the electromechanical system. 

“Electric vehicles are not a fad, but a transformation that is changing the way we travel and interact with the environment,” points out Yong Girl Lee, Director of External Relations Department at LG Energy Solution Wrocław. “We are already thinking about a green and sustainable future, which is why, together with Wrocław University of Science and Technology, we are today handing over a unique Electromobility Laboratory to students and academics. We hope that it will contribute to the development of young talent who will make the heart of European electromobility beat even stronger and that the whole planet will benefit from our joint work on EV. 

Studying electromobility is an activity for anyone passionate about cutting-edge technologies used in electric and hybrid vehicles – in particular, electronic and power electronic systems, drives, energy storage and conversion systems used in such vehicles, as well as the entire power supply and energy conversion infrastructure. 

LG Energy Solution Wrocław already became a patron for this degree programme in October 2021. A short time later, the company signed an agreement with Wrocław Tech to jointly conduct research projects, organise traineeships and scientific internships for students, doctoral students, and university employees, as well as contribute to the curriculum. 

“The opening of this laboratory is the first stage of our plans to expand our laboratory infrastructure. We want to develop towards autonomous electromobility, so we’re already inviting all companies operating in this industry to join us. Together, we can do things that we were afraid to even think about not long ago,” said Prof. Waldemar Rebizant. 

LG Energy Solution is a global leader in supplying advanced lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles (EVs), IT and power tool products, and energy storage systems (ESS). In 2016, the Biskupice Podgórne site saw the establishment of LG Energy Solution Wrocław, the first and largest electric car battery production facility in Europe. With an area of around 100 hectares, the plant houses dozens of modern production lines.