| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/M506874/1 |
| Title: |
Design, build and testing of a 50 kVA SiC BJT inverter as a building block for high-power HVDC inverters |
| Principal Investigator: |
McMahon, Professor RA |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Engineering |
| Organisation: |
University of Cambridge |
| Scheme: |
Technology Programme |
| Starts: |
01 September 2014 |
Ends: |
31 May 2016 |
Value (£): |
208,762
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
This project is a collaboration between Zagres Limited and Cambridge University Engineering Department (CUED) and
aims to study, prove and quantify the performance and economics of a newly developed Silicon Carbide Bipolar Junction
Transistor (SiC BJT) technology through building and testing a prototype 50 kVA SiC BJT inverter as a building block for
High 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 and
enhance reliability and efficiency of power electronics inverters. These benefits will contribute to reducing the cost of
energy 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 largescale
HVDC SiC-based inverters. The performance and benefits of the inverter will be assessed and compared to existing
commercial Si-based solutions. In addition, a thorough business plan and exploitation model will be developed to support
the follow-on commercialisation.
This project aims to prove and quantify the benefits and economics of the SiC BJT technology, on both device and
application levels, through the design and testing of a 50 kVA SiC BJT inverter as a building block for high-power HVDC
inverters 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 UK
economy and supported 20,000 jobs in 2013. However, only 40% of the lifetime costs of currently operational UK offshore
wind farms will be spent domestically, since most large-scale components are imported. This project supports the
exploitation 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 also
increase the UK content of the supply chain, hence bring economic benefits and create new jobs across the supply chain.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.cam.ac.uk |