www.prbx.com ENERGY EFFICIENCY 17 www.power-mag.com Issue 3 2024 Power Electronics Europe applications, the parallel, ongoing process to electrify other transportation and machinery applications is contributing to accelerate market adoption and confidence in WBG and especially SiC. A lot of research has been conducted by the automotive industry to validate WBG technology and the adoption of SiC and GaN in powertrains and battery chargers thus setting a ground base for other segments to adopt the technology. In high power switching conversion many projects utilize SiC MOSFETs instead of IGBTs and it’s worth mentioning the Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology’s MUSiCel research project which by using innovative SiC wide-band-gap semiconductors managed to deliver 250 kW at a switching frequency of 50 kHz with an efficiency across the entire power range exceeding 98 % (at 100 kW, an efficiency of even 98.8% was measured!) (Figure 05). Originally the MUSiCel research project was aimed at the electrification of agricultural and construction machinery, although it can equally apply to railway high power conversion systems and there’s no doubt that such research will contribute to the adoption of SiC in future designs. The research of feasibility, reliability and benefits compared to previous technologies is very important, but for railway manufacturers it is crucial that long term supply chain sustainability is guaranteed for the lifetime of the final equipment. As it was for MOSFET technology, WBG semiconductors manufacturers have invested in volume manufacturing facilities or partnerships, but we also see a number of acquisitions e.g., Infineon acquiring GaN Systems, and Renesas acquiring Transphorm. The WBG supply chain for SiC and GaN is now entering a mature phase, thus securing a much-needed long term components availability situation. In conclusion: To the question: Ecodesign, Reuse, Repair, Prolonging Lifetime and New Technology – Is it the new paradox? The answer is not “Yes” or “No” but as for the railway industry we have given as an example, industry as a whole will have to consider all those aspects when designing new products. The EU Ecodesign is setting a new way of working, and from higher energy efficiency to prolonging the lifetime of final equipments, power electronics will play an important role. One thing is for certain, it is a wonderful opportunity for power designers to explore new frontiers. Figure 05 – SiC 250 kW DC-DC converter developed as part of the Fraunhofer IEE project MUSiCel. (Source: PRBX/Fraunhofer IEE) To receive your own copy of Power Electronics Europe subscribe today at: www.power-mag.com
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