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31 Oct 2024

Pioneering project will develop electronic systems based on new materials to drive smart grids

The Institute of Microelectronics of Barcelona (IMB-CNM-CSIC) is coordinating a new European project that aims to revolutionize the energy landscape and contribute to the European Union's green goals. It focuses on the deployment of new next-generation DC medium-voltage converters, more efficient than current AC converters, and essential for the integration of renewable energies.

Montaje de paneles solares, palas eólicas y red eléctrica sobre cielo azul y despejado. iStock

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The European SAFEPOWER project, funded by the Horizon Europe framework program, aims to revolutionize power distribution in the European Union by advancing medium voltage direct current (MVDC) grid technologies. Led by CSIC's Institute of Microelectronics of Barcelona (IMB-CNM-CSIC), it responds to the need for efficient, secure, flexible and affordable power distribution for renewable energy deployment as electrification becomes vital for decarbonization and reduced dependence on Russian fossil fuels (REpowerEU Plan).

“We address this pressing need by focusing on researching key technologies to deploy next-generation MVDC converters. These converters operate at medium voltage levels (1-35 kV) and are essential for integrating renewable energy sources, especially solar plants, across Europe,” explains Xavier Perpiñà, project coordinator and researcher in the Power Devices and Systems (PDS) group at IMB-CNM-CSIC. “Currently, not all of these technologies, such as medium-voltage power devices, are available in Europe or worldwide,” adds Perpiñà.

The initiative will lay the groundwork for establishing IMB-CNM-CSIC's leadership in the design and fabrication of gallium oxide transistors, the design of smart silicon carbide MOSFET transistors, and innovative chip-level electro-thermal analysis in power devices. Gallium oxide and silicon carbide are promising semiconductor materials in power applications because of their electrical properties, lower losses and reliability. Current converters are usually made of silicon.

Medium-voltage grids transfer power from high-voltage transformer stations to low-voltage transformer stations, which deliver the power to end consumers. This is possible because of voltage converters.

Currently, alternating current (AC), which is the most widespread, has significant energy losses over long distances, poorer storage and it is not compatible with modern electronic devices. Therefore, if renewable technologies are to be implemented, it is necessary to integrate systems based on direct current within the medium voltage, which will allow for a more efficient grid. 

Power electronics and new materials for more efficient converters

These technologies will address several key aspects: first, “we will study innovative Condition and Health Monitoring (C&HM) solutions, both online and offline, assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) to predict and prevent distribution outages.” Failure anticipation is one of the most explored aspects of electronics development in recent years, now assisted by artificial intelligence, as proper maintenance of components will result in a network with a longer service life. IMB-CNM-CSIC has been collaborating for years in initiatives to improve the value chain of components and their reliability.

Then, “we will investigate more efficient silicon carbide and gallium oxide devices and propose new architectures or converter designs with these technologies,” adds Perpiñà. With this development, components will be reduced in complexity to gain in reliability.

Improving the safety, reliability, resilience and affordability of converters will result in a more efficient power grid. The SAFEPOWER team thus seeks to “drive Europe's energy transition,” he concludes.

These solutions will provide a competitive advantage over non-EU power converter manufacturers. It will also be a crucial strategic advantage to ensure Europe's leadership in the energy market.

More reliable power converters for a greener Europe

SAFEPOWER, Safer and More Reliable WBG/UWBG-Based MVDC Power Converters, has a four-year duration and has just held its first project meeting at IMB-CNM-CSIC (October 24-25). Key players in European research and development are involved in all phases of the project (design, production, encapsulation...): Swansea University and University of Warwick in the UK; CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) and UTTOP in France; ISSP (Institute of Solid State Physics) in Latvia; Politecnico di Milano in Italy; and Clas-SiC and Power Electronics in Spain.

Picture below: Kick-off meeting with partners at IMB-CNM on 24 and 25th October. Author: Carles Mateu Mañé.

The initiative will lay the groundwork for establishing IMB-CNM's leadership in the design and fabrication of gallium oxide transistors, the design of smart silicon carbide MOSFET transistors, and innovative chip-level electro-thermal analysis in power devices.

SAFEPOWER project kickoff meeting with European partners, members of the Power Devices and Systems group and Xavier Perpiñà in the middle. Picture: Carles Mateu