High-Frequency Inverter for Hybrid Vehicles

This project focuses on developing a wide-bandgap semiconductor-based, three-phase voltage source inverter for high-frequency electromechanical energy conversion in next-generation hybrid vehicles. With the aim to reduce CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030, the research explores the use of GaN HEMTs in power converters for efficient energy conversion. The objectives include designing and testing a GaN-based VSI circuit, developing a power filter, and fabricating a prototype for Hybrid Electric Vehicle applications.

• Inverter
• Wide-bandgap Semiconductor
• Hybrid Vehicles
• Energy Conversion
• GaN HEMTs

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1. Project Title: Wide-Bandgap-Semiconductor-Based, Three-Phase Voltage Source Inverter for High Frequency Electromechanical Energy Conversion in next generation hybrid vehicles Ph.D. in Electrical, Materials and Nanotechnology Engineering (EMNE) 37th cycle Ph.D. Student: Rahul Kumar Advisor: Prof. Giulio De Donato Rome, 14/01/2022

2. Introduction and Motivation This research project is going to be developed within the framework of a Joint-PhD agreement in Automotive (Sapienza University of Rome and McMaster University, Canada). Recently, The EU Commission has proposed two projects: 1. Europe on the Move 2. Driving Clean Mobility. The major target is the reduction of CO2 emissions at least by 30% by the end of 2030. It is a well-known fact that fossil fuels transportation is major contributor of carbon. Thus, the EU Commission is looking to develop new means of transportation (such as EVs). The main focus will be on Light Duty Vehicles (LDVs) as they contribute upto 15 % of carbon emissions across the Europe. EVs are the vehicles which are supplied through power converters, batteries, etc. The higher rotational speed and volume are among the major concerns of LDVs. The basic idea is relatively simple: for a given power, the electric machine volume becomes smaller as the rotational speed increases. High speeds invariably lead to high electrical supply frequencies and, consequently, ultra-high switching frequencies, i.e., greater than 100 kHz. Titolo: Wide-bandgap-semiconductor-based, three-phase voltage source inverter for high frequency electromechanical energy conversion in next generation hybrid vehicles Data: 14-01-2022 Pagina 2

3. Literature Review Ultra-high switching frequency power converters using wide bandgap semiconductors has many advantages. WBG converters can operate at higher voltages, frequencies, and temperatures. Two main types of wide bandgap semiconductors are used for power conversion applications. 1. Silicon Carbide 2. Gallium Nitride. Owing to characterstics of faster switching capability, low switching losses, and better thermal characterstics, GaN HEMTs is widely used. For power conversion applications. Thus, GaN HEMTs in a three-phase voltage source inverter structure will be investigated. Fig-1: Silicon Carbide and Gallium Nitride (SiC and GaN) Titolo:Wide-bandgap-semiconductor-based, three-phase voltage source inverter for high frequency electromechanical energy conversion in next generation hybrid Data: 14-01-2022 Pagina 3

4. Problem Statement and Objectives Problem Statement This idea has been recently reported in the literature, however no commercial GaN-based three- phase inverters are available yet . Thus, a significant amount of research still needs to be performed to fully understand the benefits and underlying limitations of using such high switching frequency converters to drive electric motors. The effects of the high dV/dt caused by the switching on the cables, on the motor windings and on the inverter itself will also be investigated. Due to higher switching losses and possibilty of transistor failure due to faster switching transients, power filters will also be a focus of this research. Research Objectives The major objective of this research is to investigate the performance of wideband gap based 3 phase voltage source inverter for Hybrid Electric Vehicle applications. The other objectives are as follows: To design a GaN based 3-phase VSI circuit and simulate it using ALTIUM software. To design a power filter that will be verified via simulation. To develope a prototype of proposed circuit and verify it with simulation results. To test and fabricate the designed circuit. Titolo:Wide-bandgap-semiconductor-based, three-phase voltage source inverter for high frequency electromechanical energy conversion in next generation hybrid Data: 14-01-2022 Pagina 4

5. Research Activities (Sapienza Italy) TIME Activity (1stYear) Status Current (In process) Courses (Self Study) Electric Circuits Electric Machines (Transformers, AC & DC machines) Power Electronics (Fundamentals of AC drives and Power Electronics) Jan-Aug 2022 Analyzing the state of the art of traction inverters using WBGSs. Learning ALTIUM software. Simulating Inverters using PSIM/Pspice. Analyzing GaN and SiC MOSFETS. Course on Electromagnetic Compatibility (Prof. Alessio Tamburrano) The major target is to cover all the courses and learn circuit simulating software for the analyses purpose. Future work Sep-Dec 2022 Titolo:Wide-bandgap-semiconductor-based, three-phase voltage source inverter for high frequency electromechanical energy conversion in next generation hybrid Data: 14-01-2022 Pagina 5

6. Research Activities (Sapienza Italy) TIME Activities (2ndYear) Preliminary design of traction inverter. Designing the control system on the inverter with particular attention to the cooling system. 6 months of internship at Lucchi Electromeccanica based in Rimini Italy. Writing a research paper (initial focus on conference paper). Attending European Ph.D. school. Status Future Work Jan-Dec 2023 The major target will be to have a preliminary design of traction inverter with specifications of power, voltage, current, etc.,. Also, to write at least one conference paper. Titolo:Wide-bandgap-semiconductor-based, three-phase voltage source inverter for high frequency electromechanical energy conversion in next generation hybrid Data: 14-01-2022 Pagina 6

7. Research Activities (McMaster Canada) TIME Activities (3rdand 4thYear) Building, testing, and fabrication of Inverter. Journal Paper publications (IEEE journals) Thesis writing Status Future Work Jan 2024-Dec 2025 The major target will be to complete the research by designing and fabricating the proposed model. Also, the focus will be to publish a journal paper and complete the thesis writing as well. Titolo:Wide-bandgap-semiconductor-based, three-phase voltage source inverter for high frequency electromechanical energy conversion in next generation hybrid Data: 14-01-2022 Pagina 7

8. Thankyou Titolo:Wide-bandgap-semiconductor-based, three-phase voltage source inverter for high frequency electromechanical energy conversion in next generation hybrid Data: 14-01-2022 Pagina 8