The latest generation drive for electric buses powered by SiC technology for high energy efficiency

Abstract

Abstract. High energy efficiency and increasing the working frequency of the converter will make it possible to minimize the size of the cooling system and reduce energy consumption. The use of the SiC technology in propulsion drives increases the efficiency of the converter by 1÷1.5%. Simultaneously, higher working frequency reduces losses in the traction motor, significantly lowering the cost of the energy consumed by the vehicle. Auxiliary converters using the SiC technology are a new quality. The reduction of weight and size is very significant (ca. 40÷50%). Higher switching frequency reduces the size of magnetic components (ca. 80%), and higher converter efficiency minimizes the size of the cooling system. The overall efficiency of the converter is extremely high (94÷96%). This paper presents comparison of Si and SiC parameters which are important for modern EV solutions. Paper presents also parameters of SiC traction inverter and auxiliary converter, designed and manufactured as state-of-the-art product for modern electric bus.

Bulletin of the Polish Academy of Sciences: Technical Sciences

“…Nowadays, silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFETs are commonly used in a wide range of power electronics converters where high switching frequency, high efficiency, and high power density are required [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. They proved to be reliable successors of silicon-based transistors in many applications, and currently, they are being used in large-scale projects like electric cars traction inverters [8,9], electric buses traction inverters [10,11], high power battery chargers [12][13][14], or new generation power electronics converters sets for locomotives [15]. As the converters operate at elevated switching frequencies, proper estimations of switching power losses are essential during the design and prototyping process.…”