Vancouver, British Columbia — February 5, 2026 — Leads & Copy — Hillcrest Energy Technologies Ltd. (CSE: HEAT) (OTCQB: HLRTF) (FSE: 7HI) has announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a leading industrial user to jointly develop customized Zero Voltage Switching (ZVS) inverter solutions for advanced materials processing applications.
The industrial development agreement highlights the wide-ranging applicability of Hillcrest’s ZVS technology platform across its target market segments, which the company says represent a combined addressable market exceeding US$180 billion by 2030. This is according to MarketsandMarkets, Battery Energy Storage System Market, 2025.
The collaboration will focus on designing, building, testing, and commercializing inverters based on Hillcrest’s proprietary ZVS technology, optimized for the partner’s advanced materials processing systems. The agreement is effective as of January 30, 2026.
According to Hillcrest CEO Don Currie, the agreement validates the ZVS technology platform’s versatility beyond grid-scale and automotive power conversion applications.
Currie said the partner’s advanced processing systems require precise, efficient power conversion with ultra-low electromagnetic interference. He added that the company’s ZVS technology, with efficiency exceeding 99%, minimal EMI, and enhanced power quality, is suited for sensitive industrial applications.
The MOU establishes a development pathway focused on real-world demonstration and field trials, progressing through milestones:
Application Analysis: Comprehensive identification of inverter applications within the partner’s system design.
Prototype Development: Progressive design and testing stages from initial prototype through commercial prototype to certified pre-production units.
Certification Pathway: Roadmap to deliver certified, commercial-ready inverter solutions.
Commercial Production: Establishment of manufacturing capabilities and commercial agreements.
Both parties will contribute technical expertise, resources, and funding to the project. The industrial partner will provide demonstration and field trial opportunities within their operational systems.
The MOU protects each party’s background intellectual property while establishing clear ownership of developments from the collaboration. Hillcrest retains ownership of ZVS-related improvements, while jointly developed intellectual property will be jointly owned.
According to Currie, industrial applications for ZVS technology extend beyond the company’s initial automotive and grid-scale focus. He added that the collaboration demonstrates how the technology can enable innovations across diverse sectors, with each deployment creating reference applications and validating the technology platform for broader industrial adoption.
Hillcrest’s current activities focus on applications where ZVS technology delivers measurable performance and cost advantages over conventional power conversion systems.
Hillcrest’s 200kW ZVS Grid Power Conversion System prototype (PCS1000) serves as the foundation for the company’s commercialization strategy across seven core application areas:
Data Centers: The company says the data center power market is projected to reach US$50 billion by 2030 (MarketsandMarkets’ Data Center Power Market report, September 2025). Hillcrest’s 200kW modular building blocks are suited for megawatt-scale installations with N+1 redundancy, hot-swap capability, and scalability.
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS): According to MarketsandMarkets’ Battery Energy Storage System Market report (2025), the battery energy storage market in the 100kW-1MW range is projected to reach US$106 billion by 2030. The PCS1000 is expected to provide peak inverter efficiency of greater than 99%, reducing energy losses, while its higher power density minimizes installation footprint and costs.
Remote Community and Island Microgrids: Hillcrest’s PCS1000 can enable cost-effective integration of renewable energy sources with battery storage, reducing or eliminating diesel fuel consumption. The PCS1000 is expected to offer power quality and reliability.
Industrial and Commercial Operations: The new industrial development agreement falls within this application category, targeting advanced materials processing systems that require precise power conversion. ZVS-based energy storage systems could enable load shaving and peak demand management. The PCS1000’s efficiency is expected to maximize usable energy from battery storage during peak demand periods.
Construction and Infrastructure Projects: According to Allied Market Research’s Mobile Power Plant Market report (2024), the portable/mobile power market exceeding 100kW represents more than US$10 billion annually. The PCS1000 is expected to offer zero emissions, silent operation, and eliminate fuel logistics and costs. Its compact and lightweight design simplifies transportation and deployment.
Emergency Response and Field Operations: According to Verified Market Reports’ Emergency Power System Market report (2025), the emergency power systems market is projected to reach US$18 billion by 2030. The PCS1000 is expected to offer reliability, rapid deployment capability, and the ability to operate in harsh environmental conditions.
Military Forward Operating Bases: The PCS1000 can reduce logistical fuel convoys and security risks while providing near-zero acoustic signature operation. Its system reliability and extended lifespan reduce maintenance requirements.
Hillcrest is pursuing multiple parallel pathways to revenue generation across industrial, grid-scale, and automotive applications. The 200kW ZVS PCS1000 prototype is expected to be ready for demonstration in Q2 2026.
Hillcrest Energy Technologies Ltd. focuses on providing advanced power conversion technologies and digital control systems for next-generation powertrains and grid-connected renewable energy systems. Hillcrest is publicly traded on the CSE under the symbol “HEAT,” on the OTCQB Venture Market as “HLRTF” and on the Frankfurt Exchange as “7HI”.
Source: Hillcrest Energy Technologies Ltd.
