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Details of Grant 

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:
Udrea, Professor F
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Engineering
Organisation: University of Cambridge
Scheme: Technology Programme
Starts: 01 September 2014 Ends: 31 May 2016 Value (£): 208,762
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Energy
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
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.
Key Findings
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Potential use in non-academic contexts
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Project URL:  
Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.cam.ac.uk