2.3-MW Medium-Voltage, Three-Level Wind Energy Inverter Applying a Unique Bus Structure and 4.5-kV Si/SiC Hybrid Isolated Power Modules: Preprint

Jonathan Keller, William Erdman, David Grider, Edward VanBrunt

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

Abstract

A high-efficiency, 2.3-MW, medium-voltage, three-level inverter utilizing 4.5-kV Si/SiC (silicon carbide) hybrid modules for wind energy applications is discussed. The inverter addresses recent trends in siting the inverter within the base of multimegawatt turbine towers. A simplified split, three-layer laminated bus structure that maintains low parasitic inductances is introduced along with alow-voltage, high-current test method for determining these inductances. Feed-thru bushings, edge fill methods, and other design features of the laminated bus structure provide voltage isolation that is consistent with the 10.4-kV module isolation levels. Inverter efficiency improvement is a result of the (essential) elimination of the reverse recovery charge present in 4.5-kV Si PIN diodes,which can produce a significant reduction in diode turn-off losses as well as insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) turn-on losses. The hybrid modules are supplied in industry-standard 140 mm x 130 mm and 190 mm x 130 mm packages to demonstrate direct module substitution into existing inverter designs. A focus on laminated bus/capacitor-bank/module subassembly level switching performance ispresented.
Original languageAmerican English
Number of pages10
StatePublished - 2014
Event2015 IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference - Charlotte, North Carolina
Duration: 15 Mar 201519 Mar 2015

Conference

Conference2015 IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference
CityCharlotte, North Carolina
Period15/03/1519/03/15

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/CP-5000-63189

Keywords

  • efficiency
  • medium voltage
  • NREL
  • silicon carbide
  • three-level inverter
  • wind energy
  • wind turbine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of '2.3-MW Medium-Voltage, Three-Level Wind Energy Inverter Applying a Unique Bus Structure and 4.5-kV Si/SiC Hybrid Isolated Power Modules: Preprint'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this