SEMIKRON has won a billion euro contract to supply their innovative eMPack power modules to a German car manufacturer beginning in 2025. The platform features silicon carbide technology optimized with fully sintered Direct Pressed Die technology for optimal compactness and scalable functionality – creating highly compact yet reliable electric vehicle traction inverters.
EV traction inverters
EV powertrains rely heavily on traction inverters as essential components. Converting DC battery power to AC motor power, then back again for regenerative braking is what this component does best. Furthermore, its safety function includes temporarily shorting out motor phases during high-speed regenerative braking sessions to protect battery packs from being over-charged with power.
Inverters are complex circuits designed to interpret torque commands sent from a vehicle control unit (VCU) and safely control an e-motor based on those signals. Furthermore, in addition to electrical signals the inverter must correlate mechanical measurements such as speed, direction and acceleration with sensor signals for safe control.
Enhancing EV traction inverters can boost real-world performance and speed market acceptance. One major upgrade involves replacing insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBT) with silicon carbide (SiC) switches, which have significantly lower on-state resistance and switching losses; this increase efficiency and power density while decreasing weight and size of supporting components, increasing battery capacity, and expanding range.
ROHM offers SiC components for electric vehicle (EV) traction inverters that transform DC power from car batteries into AC power used to operate an electric motor. Their VE-Trac Direct SiC product family easily scales power output to meet hybrid and battery EV demand, according to ROHM. They utilize dual-side direct cooling technology which eliminates parasitic effects while offering industry leading process stability, plus they feature fully sintered bodies and use Semikron’s Direct Pressed Die (DPD) connection technology making them compact, scalable, and reliable components.
EV battery systems
An electric vehicle (EV) battery system consists of cells, modules and cooling systems to store energy for use by an electric motor. Additionally, there is an onboard charger as well as a power management system (BMS), which monitors its state in order to prevent overcharge or discharge that may damage it; additionally it ensures it doesn’t lose capacity over time.
An electric vehicle (EV) is powered by multiple lithium ion batteries connected by cell assemblies. Each cell features an anode and cathode with electrolyte between them to transport positively charged lithium ions between them; when powered on, these lithium ions travel between them producing electricity that powers its motor.
SEMIKRON has designed its eMPack power module platform using fourth-generation silicon carbide (SiC) technology from ST Microelectronics in order to address these needs for efficient and reliable EV battery operation. SiC MOSFETs found within this device serve as control power switching components within an EV inverter, making this an essential element of an EV battery system.
The upstream portion of EV battery supply chains can be particularly problematic, involving human rights abuses, mining activities and environmental degradation that compromise battery sustainability and affect global decarbonization efforts. To increase sustainability within this chain, several steps may be taken such as strengthening partnerships with other countries, improving mining regulations or increasing battery circularity.
EV chargers
EV chargers enable consumers to make the transition to electric vehicles by providing power for driving and charging their cars. There are three categories of chargers: Level 1, Level 2 and DC fast chargers; each category requires specific input voltage, power output and charging speed parameters that impact the cost and installation time of installation time of chargers. When choosing an EV charger it is important to opt for one with an ENERGY STAR label as this will guarantee safety, high efficiency performance.
ENERGY STAR certified chargers are more efficient than their non-certified counterparts, potentially saving businesses up to $3,000 yearly in operating costs. In addition, these products meet national safety standards and are tested by nationally-recognized labs; additionally they may qualify for rebates.
Semikron’s eMPack electric vehicle (EV) power modules utilize cutting-edge silicon carbide (SiC) technology for optimal efficiency and industry benchmark performance in more compact systems. They’re perfect for sustainable energy applications as well as industrial power-control devices requiring power control devices with voltage output between 100kW to 750KW; available as both 750 V and 1200 V platforms to service applications from 100 kW to 750 KW; with battery systems supporting 400 V to 800 V systems.
Employer installations of electric vehicle chargers in their workplace can boost employee satisfaction, promote adoption of EVs, and enable businesses to take advantage of various tax incentives and rebates – not to mention generate revenue with subscription-based or pay-per-charge services for parking lot installations; in addition, those equipped with chargers branded ENERGY STAR may help strengthen brand recognition among potential customers.
EV power management
Power management is a crucial aspect of an electric vehicle charging infrastructure, enabling you to charge multiple cars without exceeding your building’s electrical capacity and save money on utility bills while giving all customers an enjoyable charging experience.
EV Power Management systems utilize both software and hardware components to maximize the amount of energy your charging stations consume. The software utilizes algorithms and communication protocols to interact with utility systems, EV owners, and other components of the electric grid; while its hardware components include charging stations, power meters, and breaker trip units.
An EV power management system can also help your infrastructure plan around peak and off-peak charging hours, when EV drivers often pay more for power. Power management systems allow for efficient management during these peak charging hours by redirecting any unused energy to devices like laundromats that need it during this period.
Power management of an electric vehicle (EV) charging station can dramatically enhance its thermal performance and efficiency, as well as decrease its energy consumption. To make the switch easier and reduce consumption further, replace copper (Cu) alloys in power modules with nickel-titanium alloys such as Pyralux AP which has excellent dielectric thickness tolerance, low thermal expansion coefficient, flame retardancy rating compliance with UL 94-V0 rating as well as flame retardant properties.
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