Light Load Ecient Silicon Power Converters Based on Wide Bandgap Circuit Extensions

Markus Makoschitz, Sumanta Biswas

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

A power electronics converter is generally designed for a specific load condition. However, depending on the applications and its mission profiles, the operating load conditions can be distinctly lower than the specified ones (PV cell under shading conditions, etc.). During this light load condition, the efficiency diminishes considerably, especially if Si-IGBT devices are considered within the power circuit. This study explains a light-load circuit extension based on wide-bandgap (WBG, silicon carbide and gallium nitride) material, which can improve the light-load efficiency and transient response of the conventional IGBT-based active rectifiers and inverter. Such an additional circuit extension is, in general, associated with additional cost. Numerous factors, such as the power electronics application itself, mission profiles, converter power rating and sizing of passive components, etc., can shift the break-even point of the upgraded power electronics system in terms of time. Therefore, a profound investigation of the relevant areas of interest is required in advance to ensure the most efficient amortization of the additional incurred costs of the applied circuitry. A 125 kW 3-phase six-switch inverter is discussed to highlight relevant effects in light-load operation that must be considered for final product design.
Original languageEnglish
Article number4730
Number of pages21
JournalApplied Sciences (Switzerland)
Volume10.2020
Issue number14
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 9 Jul 2020
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright: © 2020 by the authors.

Keywords

  • AC/DC
  • DC/AC
  • Efficiency
  • Power electronics
  • Wide bandgap

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