Advanced Features in Sophisticated Inverter Design Supporting MW-Applications

Inhalt:
Handling power in a megawatt regime is a common, yet challenging task. Projects like offshore wind farms, remote solar arrays or the German Energiewende require robust, reliable and efficient power electronics. Considering off-the shelf components, this is difficult to implement. Though standardized components to handle this power level are available, protection and control methods need to be implemented according to the application’s requirements. A holistic approach combining power electronic components, measurement equipment, sophisticated microcontrollers and protection methods especially focusing on a junction temperature determination is desired, not eliminating the degree of freedom to adapt the system to individual requirements. The present paper deals with the subject of designing a flexible, modular, self-protecting power stage to support this approach and demonstrates how these goals are achieved in the MIPAQ(TM) Pro intelligent power module.