Consortium looks to develop semiconductor based circuit breakers
1 min read
A consortium including Infineon, Siemens and Airbus is to start work on developing a semiconductor based circuit breaker for DC power grids and other high power applications.
The NEST-DC project is aiming to develop a device capable of switching DC voltages of up to 1500V on and off as quickly and safely as possible. Amongst the topics on the agenda is the development of an over current blocking field effect transistor (OCB-FET), as well as new structure and connection technologies and switching topologies for OCB-FET based circuit breakers.
Electronic circuit breakers will allow the benefits of DC transmission to be applied more widely. Amongst the benefits claimed for the approach is a reduction of transmission losses and the ability to use regenerative energy more readily. Current solutions are electromechanical, which not only bring the risk of arcing, but are also slow, heavy and expensive.
The University of Bremen's Institute for Electrical Drives, Power Electronics and Devices will investigate and simulate semiconductor structures for use in the OCB-FETs, as well as undertaking static and dynamic measurement of the circuit breakers and testing of their thermal behaviour.
Siemens will concentrate on the structure and connection technologies of the circuit breakers, while E-T-A will define the requirements for industrial applications. Infineon, meanwhile, will contribute its power semiconductor expertise (pictured) and research power semiconductors intended for use in the OCB-FETs.
Airbus will define the requirements for aviation applications, research a suitable topology and develop a demonstrator, as well as carry out hardware tests.
The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research is supporting the project with funding of €2.3million.
