Descrizione del progetto
Convertitori inediti adatti alle fonti di energia rinnovabile
Gli sforzi tesi alla transizione verso fonti di energia rinnovabile più ecologiche per mitigare i cambiamenti climatici hanno comportato numerose interruzioni alla rete elettrica non ancora correttamente predisposta. Tali sforzi hanno inoltre complicato l’adattamento alle nuove fonti energetiche e alle infrastrutture di ricarica per i veicoli elettrici. L’infrastruttura di ricarica a CC offre una soluzione possibile per accogliere le nuove fonti di energia. Tuttavia, ciò richiederebbe l’utilizzo di convertitori CC/CC efficienti, economici e compatti dalla bassa alla media tensione, ancora non disponibili. Il progetto FOR2ENSICS, finanziato dall’UE, propone di sviluppare questo tipo di convertitori avvalendosi di dispositivi di commutazione a tensione ultraelevata a base di carburo di silicio (SiC) e sviluppando e impiegando processi di produzione a basso costo, ma ad alta efficienza.
Obiettivo
Driven by the continued effort to combat the climate change and achieve carbon neutrality, the composition of the energy sources and consumers connected to the electrical grid is rapidly changing. An increasing amount of issues are being experienced by distribution system operators while trying to accommodate new systems like renewable energy sources or electric vehicles charging infrastructure. One of the possible solutions is to develop a DC distribution infrastructure, which is especially interesting as most of the new connections mentioned above are native DC sources and loads, respectively. This requires low cost, very efficient and compact DC/DC converters from LV (<1500V) up to MV (>10kV). However, currently no commercial solutions exist on the market. The aim of this project is to develop and demonstrate a commercial DC/DC converter prototype which can be introduced to the market within short timescale (<3 years) after completion of the project. To achieve such an ambitious target, the project team has decided to focus on the development of ultra- high voltage (UHV) SiC based switching devices which would allow for a remarkable simplification of the converter topology as well as a very compact design when coupled with high frequency operation. For this purpose, the project aims at the design, fabrication and testing of 15 kV SiC IGBTs modules. The choice of the device technology is based on previous studies, which point towards a break-even voltage between SiC MOSFET and SiC IGBT just above 10 kV. Highly relevant, both cost and environmental impact reduction of the fabrication processes will be targeted, using novel approaches for material growth and semiconductor processing. At the same time, another major target of the project is to understand reliability issues affecting different converter components such as UHV switching devices, passive components, and medium frequency transformer associated with high switching frequency and high voltage environment.
Campo scientifico
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energy
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectrical engineeringpower engineeringelectric power distribution
- social sciencessocial geographytransportelectric vehicles
- natural sciencesmathematicspure mathematicstopology
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesclimatologyclimatic changes
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
Argomento(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
HORIZON-IA - HORIZON Innovation ActionsCoordinatore
28006 Madrid
Spagna