High Current Module and Technologies Optimised for HVDC

这项研究将研究先进的电力半导体模块设计在提高电压源型高压直流输电换流站的效率和容量方面所起的作用。高压直流输电越来越多地用于整合可再生能源和跨国输电，这推动了高压直流输电技术的发展。在欧洲，目前有20多个高压直流输电方案正在规划和建设中，其中大多数将采用新的基于IGBT的电压源换流器(VSC)技术。新型多电平变流器的发展极大地提高了VSC变流器的直流工作电压，改善了其性能。尽管有这些显著的进步，但仍有强大的驱动因素来提高容量和效率。到目前为止，多电平高压直流输电通常使用最初设计用于其他应用的高压电力半导体模块。按照预计的部署速度，VSC-HVDC很可能成为高压电力的关键市场之一。这一潜在市场的规模证明了开发一种新的功率半导体开关的合理性，该开关是专门围绕多电平VSC转换器的需求而设计的。这种电源开关将是大容量多器件模块和相关智能栅极驱动器的组合，可以优化多电平VSC系统中的模块性能。有人提出，这种技术可以在降低成本的情况下在转换器容量和效率方面提供显著的收益。

The proposed research will investigate the role that advanced power semiconductor module design can play in improving the efficiency and increasing the capacity of Voltage Source, HVDC converters. Growing use of HVDC for integration of renewable energy sources and transnational electricity transmission is driving development HVDC technologies. Within Europe there are over 20 HVDC schemes currently planned and under construction most of which will employ new IGBT based Voltage Source Converter (VSC) technology. The development of new multi-level converters greatly raised DC operating voltages in VSC converters and improved their performance.Despite these significant advances, there are still strong drivers to raise both capacity and efficiency. To date multi-level HVDC typically utilises high voltage power semiconductor modules originally designed for other applications. At projected deployment rates, VSC-HVDC is likely to become one of the key markets for high voltage power. The size of this potential market justifies the development of a new power semiconductor switch, specifically designed around the needs of multi-level VSC converters. Such a power switch will be a composite of high capacity multi-device module and an associated intelligent gate drive which can optimise module performance in multi-level VSC systems. It is proposed that such techniques can provide significant gains in both converter capacities and efficiency at a reduced cost.