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Sub-Nanosecond Power Electronics: A New Paradigm in Power Conversion

Objective

The adoption of electrical energy systems is rapidly increasing across critical sectors, including portable battery systems (phones, tablets or laptops), transportation (hybrid and electric vehicles), home climate control (heat pumps), and industrial processes, among others. Power electronics now processes up to 70% of all electrical energy, making it a cornerstone of the global transition toward cleaner and more efficient energy systems and a key enabler of renewable energy integration for a sustainable future. The growing adoption and rapid evolution of these technologies require innovative solutions to reduce energy waste, enhance efficiency, and improve compactness and performance, with switching frequency identified as one of the major limiting factors.
The SPEED project introduces a groundbreaking concept in power conversion: sub-nanosecond power electronics. By enabling switching transitions in the picosecond range—up to two orders of magnitude faster than current technologies—SPEED promises ultra-efficient, highly compact, and cost-effective designs that unlock new possibilities to radically improve power conversion in the aforementioned applications and to enable previously unattainable applications.
SPEED revolutionary vision is driven by a novel dynamic expert driving technology with an advanced multi-level holistic design, integration, and optimization process. This process comprises innovations in semiconductor device, topologies, control, and system-level design, addressing key challenges to overcome the frequency limitations of wide-bandgap power semiconductors. SPEED’s unique combination represents a major breakthrough, aiming to research on novel concepts and integrate cutting-edge advancements.
SPEED’s approach is expected to directly benefit existing technologies, enabling ultra-efficient (>99%) power conversion and ultra-high power density (>50 kW/l) applications.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Keywords

Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)

Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) ERC-2025-COG

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Host institution

UNIVERSIDAD DE ZARAGOZA
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 1 998 463,00
Address
CALLE PEDRO CERBUNA 12
50009 ZARAGOZA
Spain

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Region
Noreste Aragón Zaragoza
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 1 998 463,00

Beneficiaries (1)

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