New 2.3 kV High-Current All-Silicon Carbide Module for Medium Voltage Power Conversion Applications

Abstract:
This paper presents a new high-current, all silicon carbide (SiC) multichip power module in the 2.3 kV voltage class. Packaged in the industry-standard 100 mm × 140 mm housing, the module is designed for applications with a 1500 V DC bus, such as renewable energy systems, including central inverters for wind and solar or hydrogen electrolyzers. The introduction of the 2.3 kV voltage class enables the use of a simplified two-level topology, offering improved efficiency compared to the use of either 1.2 kV devices in a three-level topology or 3.3 kV devices in a two-level topology. This paper emphasizes the module's key characteristics through an optimized double pulse testing platform and evaluates its electrothermal performance to demonstrate system-level benefits in megawatt-scale applications. A twolevel converter design targeting 1500 V DC applications is prototyped to validate the module's performance. Finally, a three-level active neutral-point clamped (ANPC) phase-leg prototype concept is presented to support applications with a DC bus up to 3000 V.