Performance benchmark of Si IGBTs vs. SiC MOSFETs in small-scale wind energy conversion systems

Hussein, Abdallah; Castellazzi, Alberto; Wheeler, Patrick; Klumpner, Christian

doi:10.1109/epepemc.2016.7752124

Cited by 17 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…From that same perspective, this paper reports on the learning done in recent years in some representative applications selected from the renewable energy applications domain (PV and wind). The findings clearly indicate that significant incremental benefits (not disruptive) can be drawn from WBG technology already as a drop-in replacement for Si, even with conventional standardized packaging solutions [1][2][3][4][5][6]. The higher initial price of the semiconductors is counter-balanced by savings in the filter elements and cooling, as well as by the possibility to do without free-wheeling diodes even in higher-voltage applications.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Impact of Wide-Bandgap Technology on Renewable Energy and Smart-Grid Power Conversion Applications Including Storage

et al. 2019

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Wide-bandgap (WBG) semiconductor devices are making their way into large-volume applications, including pivotal domains of societal infrastructure such as sustainable energy generation and conversion. Presented for a long time mainly as a synonym of high-temperature electronics, hands-on experience has highlighted a number of gains that can be drawn from this technology even when used as a straightforward drop-in substitute of silicon in established applications and field-proven designs. Incremental in nature, these gains enable interesting progress beyond state-of-the-art forms, which, though not corresponding to the full exploitation of the potential of this technology, are oftentimes sufficient to justify its adoption. With particular reference to renewable energy power conversion and solid-state transformation, in the context of transport applications and incorporating a storage device, this paper reports on the understanding generated over the past few years and points out some specifically tailored technology and circuit design requirements to ensure overall beneficial impact of the adoption of WBG technology.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Impact of Wide-Bandgap Technology on Renewable Energy and Smart-Grid Power Conversion Applications Including Storage

et al. 2019

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“…In [13], a 2 MW DFIG-based wind energy system has been considered and conclusions regarding the efficiency increase and volume reduction have been conducted. In [14], a PMSG-based 10 kW small-scale wind turbine is considered, where a performance benchmarking of Si-IGBTs-and SiC-MOSFETsbased inverters have been performed, pointing out the benefits in reduced filter volume, DC-link capacitor volume, and heatsink volume. In [15], a 2 MW PM generator-based wind generation system has been compared for the converters with Si IGBT, hybrid, and full SiC MOSFET devices in terms of efficiency and annual energy production.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficiency, Cost, and Volume Comparison of SiC-Based and IGBT-Based Full-Scale Converter in PMSG Wind Turbine

2023

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Power electronics, as an enabling technology in most renewable energy systems, is gaining attention as the penetration of renewable energy sources increases. Wide-bandgap power electronics are of particular interest due to their superior voltage blocking capabilities and fast switching speeds. They can viably be considered in the renewable energy sources, especially as the penetration of wind energy is expected to increase by a great extent in the upcoming years. In this paper, a comparison of Silicon Carbide-based and Silicon-based wind energy conversion systems has been performed, as it is crucial in understanding the benefits of adopting wide-bandgap-based solutions at a commercial level. For this analysis, a 2 MW permanent magnet synchronous generator-based wind conversion system with a bidirectional full-scale frequency converter comprised of two back-to-back inverters is considered. The efficiency, cost, and total volume of the passive components comparison have been conducted for Silicon- and Silicon Carbide-based converters. The comparison presented is a fair comparison, meaning that the converters are designed with modules of the same power ratings. Wind energy systems are compared both for the same switching frequency (low switching frequency suitable for IGBT modules) and also considering a Silicon Carbide-MOSFET-based converter working at high switching frequencies. The comparison is performed in PLECS simulation tool, using the PLECS libraries for different modules obtained from the manufacturers’ experimental data. The results show the benefits of using the Silicon Carbide-based converter when it comes to volume reduction in the passive components and provide insights to what is missing in order to achieve overall system volume and cost savings.

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“…Most published studies have focused particularly on the benefits of SiC over Si in wind turbines [2]- [6], indicating the benefits to improve efficiency and higher switching frequency capability and higher power densities due to the heat-sink and inductor sizes reduction. However, in this study the aim at optimising the low load operation and energy efficiency rather than only the power efficiency taking advantage of the characteristics of SiC and the intermittent nature of wind power availability.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variable frequency control and filter design for optimum energy extraction from a SiC wind inverter

Hussein

Castellazzi

2018

2018 International Power Electronics Conference (IPEC-Niigata 2018 -ECCE Asia)

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This paper proposes the optimised control and filter design of a 12 kW 3-phase 2-level wind inverter specifically taking into account the intermittent nature of the input power. In particular, the applied control scheme aims at optimising the low-load efficiency, which corresponds to the most frequent operational condition in time, by varying the switching frequency. Specifically, a silicon carbide (SiC) converter is addressed, which operates at relatively high frequency, thus enabling a significant reduction of the filter elements. So, the output filter design also needs to be optimised to ensure that the inverter electro-magnetic performance and the size reduction enabled by SiC are kept. That is achieved by designing a variable inductor based on soft saturation core material.Index Terms-metaloxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs), two-level voltage source converter (2L-VSC), smallscale wind turbine, variable inductor, closed control loop.

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Performance benchmark of Si IGBTs vs. SiC MOSFETs in small-scale wind energy conversion systems

Cited by 17 publications

References 17 publications

Impact of Wide-Bandgap Technology on Renewable Energy and Smart-Grid Power Conversion Applications Including Storage

Impact of Wide-Bandgap Technology on Renewable Energy and Smart-Grid Power Conversion Applications Including Storage

Efficiency, Cost, and Volume Comparison of SiC-Based and IGBT-Based Full-Scale Converter in PMSG Wind Turbine

Variable frequency control and filter design for optimum energy extraction from a SiC wind inverter

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