Development of SiC Based High Power Density Industry Drives

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Electric motors are everywhere and they consume over half of the electricity generated globally. Variable speed drives are essential to increase the efficiency and decrease the energy consumption of electric motors. Demand is intense for these drives, especially for medium power applications in manufacturing, commercial buildings, and municipal infrastructure. Existing commercial motor drives, which use silicon-based devices, have reached the limit of converter system efficiency and power density and are not well suited for high speed operation. In this project, researchers from the University of Alberta and engineers from Rockwell Automation Canada will work together to develop the next generation of industrial drives based on silicon carbide (SiC). These new SiC based drives will meet the ever increasing demands for higher efficiency, higher power density, smaller size, and high reliability. Developing the next generation of electric drives is of critical importance, not only in traditional applications such as industrial motors and heating/air conditioning, but also in new applications in electrical vehicles, aerospace, and marine industries.