Estimation of Energy-Saving Potential Using Commercial SiC Power Converters

• Published in: Energies (Basel) Vol. 17; no. 18; p. 4570
• Main Authors: Spejo, Lucas Barroso, Thekemuriyil, Tanya, Minamisawa, Renato Amaral
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01-09-2024
• Subjects: Computer centers; Cooling; Cost control; device application; Efficiency; Electric vehicles; Energy conservation; Energy consumption; Energy efficiency; Energy industry; Energy management systems; Energy use; HVAC; Investigations; Power converters; Power electronics; power losses; R&D; Research & development; Semiconductors; Silicon; Silicon carbide; silicon carbide (SiC); Technology application; Temperature
• ISSN: 1996-1073; 1996-1073
• DOI: 10.3390/en17184570

This study evaluates the annual global energy-savings potential of various power electronics applications utilizing commercial silicon carbide (SiC) wide bandgap (WBG)-based power converters. As the first analysis to focus on real market products, our findings reveal that SiC-based converters offer significant energy-saving potential across all examined applications. Additionally, given the substantial yearly growth in installing photovoltaic (PV) systems and electric vehicle (EV) chargers, we project a considerable future energy-saving potential. This research underscores the importance of SiC technology in enhancing energy efficiency and supports its broader adoption in power electronics to achieve global energy savings.