Aberdeen experts working on cutting-edge SiC tech
Researchers from the University of Aberdeen join academics across Europe and leaders in renewable energy to study transistor technologies based on silicon carbide
A team of experts from the University of Aberdeen are joining leading figures across Europe on an initiative to improve the performance, reliability and cost of components that will be essential to a green future.
Photo of Aberdeen University by Gordon M Robertson
The university’s High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) research centre is one of nine partners involved in the new, three-year project, ‘Condition Monitoring and Wide Bandgap Power Electronics – Leading Innovations for the European Energy Sector’ or ‘MoWiLife’ for short. The project is funded by Horizon Europe.
The world is fast moving away from power systems based on carbon sources of fuel and electro-mechanical components. With increased electrification, there is an increasing demand for power converters and other power-electronics components. That in turn places increasing demands on performance, reliability and cost. Power converters used in the power industry traditionally employ transistors and other semiconductor devices based on silicon (Si) technology. The new project aims to explore another option: silicon carbide or SiC.
A metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor based on SiC – known as the ‘SiC MOSFET’ – has been developed by Infineon, the largest semiconductor manufacturer in Germany, and some other other companies. Recent research suggests SiC MOSFET could offer significant advantages over traditional Si components but more investigation is needed.
The new MoWiLife project aims to more fully study the potential of SiC MOSFETS, with hardware evaluations of expected applications. Four ‘demonstrators’ pilots will be developed: a wind power converter, a converter with reliable condition monitoring, a medium voltage DC-DC converter, and a hybrid high voltage DC circuit breaker. In addition, the project aims to develop a 2.3kV SiC MOSFET module with access to TSEP, self-protection features and high-power density, and to explore the feasibility of an ultra-wide bandgap for HVDC applications.
From the University of Aberdeen, Professor Dragan Jovcic and Dr Xin Yuan will bring their expertise in high voltage direct current (DC) and power electronics. The HVDC team will be responsible for developing and validating a functional SiC MOSFET hybrid high voltage DC circuit breaker, building on previous research projects at Aberdeen related to DC circuit breakers and transmission grid development.
In doing so, they will work with leading industry players including semiconductor manufacturers, wind generator manufacturers and research centres.
Professor Jovcic says: ‘Modernisation of electrical grid infrastructure and new generation methods will be crucial in our transition to clean energy. Electrification lies at the heart of decarbonisation and we will need expanded electrical networks to meet growing electricity demand from industry, transport and buildings.
‘Power converters and electronics are the underpinning technology for this transition, and this brings significant challenges including development of new power electronics that meets user demands for high performance, reliability and sustainability, with affordable costs.
‘DC electrical systems have not been much utilised since alternating current (AC) systems have been preferred with traditional overland power transmission and conventional electricity generation. However, AC power can only be transmitted over relatively short distances with subsea cables, and as we look increasingly to offshore wind or tidal technology to meet growing demand, solutions are needed to create high-voltage direct current (HVDC) connections and to eventually develop an HVDC grid.
‘Our research at the University of Aberdeen has played an important role in the advancement of DC grids and key components like DC circuit breakers, and we are delighted to be part of the European MoWiLIfe project which is expected to demonstrate substantially further improved DC circuit breakers. We will use desktop research and also develop a 5 kV DC CB demonstrator based on SiC MOSFETs in our HVDC laboratory for experimental testing.’
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