Highly Efficient and Reliable SiC based Power Electronic Systems (HER-SiC)

In the development of the modern society one of the key factors is to save energy in order to be more independent of other resources. Two important approaches can be taken - one is to change behavior and thereby save energy - the second is to develop new technology which is able to improve the energy efficiency in different applications. One of the challenges is that the wasted energy amounts at about 50% in a typical electrical energy production chain, which is basically subdivided in 20% related to power electronic conversion stages and the remaining 30% to long distance transmission losses and other losses. Power electronic conversion systems based on Silicon Carbide (SiC) devices are by far the most promising technology for a large electrical energy efficiency increase and a power losses reduction by more than 50%. However, since quite some time SiC is on the verge of entering prime time but is dramatically inhibited by the new scientific challenges compared to Si based technology. This project aims to overcome the fundamental obstacles by pursuing novel approaches in packaging, reliability study, Electromagnetic Interface (EMI) modelling and design, and system level control and design. The outcome will enable the adoption of SiC based power electronic systems to achieve the breakthrough in energy efficiency improvement for renewable energy generation and energy saving industry applications. The project will leverage the expertise of a team of researchers from Aalborg University, Denmark, and the Harbin Institute of Technology, China, together with industry partners in Europe and China.