Design, build and testing of a 50 kVA SiC BJT inverter as a building block for high-power HVDC inverters

该项目是Zagres Limited和剑桥大学工程系(CUED)的合作项目，旨在通过构建和测试50 kVA的碳化硅双极结晶体管(SiCbJT)逆变器原型作为高压直流输电(HVDC)应用的积木，来研究、证明和量化新开发的碳化硅双极结晶体管(SiCbJT)技术的性能和经济性。与现有的硅基模块相比，碳化硅BJT功率模块技术具有更高的电压、频率和热额定值，可以显著减小体积，提高电力电子逆变器的可靠性和效率。这些好处将有助于降低海上可再生能源的能源成本。50kVA SIC BJT逆变器将是此类逆变器中的第一个，并将成为开发和工业化大型高压直流碳化硅逆变器的垫脚石。将评估逆变器的性能和效益，并将其与现有的商用硅基解决方案进行比较。此外，还将制定全面的商业计划和开发模式，以支持后续的商业化。该项目旨在通过设计和测试50 kVA的碳化硅BJT逆变器作为大功率高压直流逆变器的基础，以及对超高压10千伏的碳化硅BJT电力设备的设计评估，在设备和应用层面上证明和量化碳化硅BJT技术的好处和经济性。根据TSB的离岸可再生能源弹射数据，海上可再生产业在2013年为英国经济贡献了约10亿GB，并支持了20,000个工作岗位。然而，目前运营的英国离岸风电场只有40%的生命周期成本将在国内花费，因为大多数大型部件都是进口的。该项目支持开发一种新的高压直流输电技术，目前仅由西门子和ABB等非英国供应商提供。成功的项目成果商业化不仅将减少海上可再生能源的LCOE，还将增加供应链中的英国含量，从而为整个供应链带来经济效益和创造新的就业机会。

This project is a collaboration between Zagres Limited and Cambridge University Engineering Department (CUED) andaims to study, prove and quantify the performance and economics of a newly developed Silicon Carbide Bipolar JunctionTransistor (SiC BJT) technology through building and testing a prototype 50 kVA SiC BJT inverter as a building block forHigh Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission applications. The SiC BJT power module technology has voltage,frequency and thermal ratings substantially greater than existing Si-based modules, which can significantly reduce size andenhance reliability and efficiency of power electronics inverters. These benefits will contribute to reducing the cost ofenergy for offshore renewables.The 50 kVA SiC BJT inverter will be the first of its kind and will act as a stepping-stone to develop and industrialise largescaleHVDC SiC-based inverters. The performance and benefits of the inverter will be assessed and compared to existingcommercial Si-based solutions. In addition, a thorough business plan and exploitation model will be developed to supportthe follow-on commercialisation.This project aims to prove and quantify the benefits and economics of the SiC BJT technology, on both device andapplication levels, through the design and testing of a 50 kVA SiC BJT inverter as a building block for high-power HVDCinverters and design assessment of an ultra-high voltage 10 kV SiC BJT power device.According to TSB's Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, the offshore renewable industry contributed circa £1bn to the UKeconomy and supported 20,000 jobs in 2013. However, only 40% of the lifetime costs of currently operational UK offshorewind farms will be spent domestically, since most large-scale components are imported. This project supports theexploitation of a new HVDC technology, currently only supplied by non-UK suppliers, such as Siemens and ABB.Successful commercialisation of project outcomes will not only reduce the LCOE from offshore renewables, but will alsoincrease the UK content of the supply chain, hence bring economic benefits and create new jobs across the supply chain.