Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular due to their environmental benefits and lower operating costs compared to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. However, the performance of EVs is heavily dependent on the efficiency of their electrical drives, which convert electrical energy into mechanical energy to propel the vehicle. In his doctoral dissertation, M.Sc. Eleftherios Kontodinas has focused on developing optimal modulation strategies for automotive electrical drives to enhance their performance.
As the automotive industry advances in its quest to maximize the efficiency of electric vehicles, the use of high-speed electrical machines with non-linear magnetic anisotropy is increasingly prevalent. Despite their potential, these machines face significant challenges related to anisotropy-dependent harmonic distribution of stator currents, especially during operation at cruising speeds, where low switching-to-fundamental frequency ratios are required. Conventional modulation techniques frequently prove inadequate in addressing these issues effectively.
Kontodinas’ research utilized optimized pulse patterns (OPPs) as a solution for automotive drives. OPPs demonstrate exceptional efficiency even at low pulse numbers, coupled with the flexibility to be tailored according to specific load characteristics. This innovation not only addresses the limitations of existing modulation techniques but also offers a pathway towards optimizing the performance and efficiency of electric vehicle drives across various operating conditions.
Public defence on Friday 19 September
The doctoral dissertation of M.Sc. Eleftherios Kontodinas in the field of electrical engineering titled Optimal Modulation for Automotive Electrical Drives will be publicly examined at the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences at Tampere University at 12:00 on Friday 19.09.2025 at Hervanta campus, Tietotalo, at the auditorium TB109 (Korkeakoulunkatu 1, Tampere). The Opponent will be Dr. Ioannis Tsoumas from ABB System Drives, Switzerland. The Custos will be Associate Professor Petros Karamanakos from The Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences, Tampere University.