Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Language

eng

Format of Original

6 p.

Publication Date

10-19-2014

Publisher

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

Source Publication

2014 International Conference on Renewable Energy Research and Application (ICRERA)

Source ISSN

978-1-4799-3795-0

Abstract

The rapid development of renewable energy systems (RES), especially photovoltaic (PV) energy and wind energy, poses increasing requirements for highpower, low-loss, fast-switching, and reliable semiconductor devices to improve system power capacity, efficiency, power density and reliability. The recent commercialization of wide bandgap (WBG) devices, specifically Silicon Carbide (SiC) and Gallium Nitride (GaN) devices, provides very promising opportunities for meeting such requirements with their attractive features of high voltage blocking capability, ultra-low switching losses, fast switching speed, and high allowable operating temperatures. This paper analyzed the performance benefits and application challenges of using SiC or GaN devices in both PV and wind energy conversion systems. Solutions to these challenges of using WBG devices in various RES were reviewed and proposed, and the benefits of using such emerging devices were confirmed in simulation based on a 250 kW commercial-scale PV inverter and a 250 kW doubly fed induction generator wind turbine system.

Comments

Published version. Published as part of the 2014 International Conference on Renewable Energy Research and Application (ICRERA): 749-754. DOI. © 2014 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Used with permission.

This material is declared a work of the U.S. Government and is not subject to copyright protection in the United States. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

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