Comprehensive design optimization of a wind power converter using SiC technology

This paper proposes the joint electro-magnetic and electro-thermal design optimization of a three-phase two-level voltage-source inverter, referring to the specific operational conditions of wind power conversion applications. The reference power level is 12 kW and the devices have a nominal voltage rating of 1.2 kV, typical values of small-scale wind turbines. Novel silicon carbide (SiC) devices are used to enable higher switching frequencies and operational temperatures, yielding in turn higher power density, without penalty on efficiency. Specifically, with relevance to commercial products, the paper focuses on the salient features of SiC and discusses their impact on system performance, elaborating on the associated bespoke design needs to yield optimum results in terms of inverter performance and power density, both volumetric and gravimetric. The study is of relevance primarily to on-ground systems, but also includes novel insight and results of straightforward spin-off transfer to a number of transport applications, including upcoming hybrid and fully electric naval and avionic applications.