#United States #Albany #NoMIS Power #HVDC Technology #SiC MOSFETs

NoMIS Power Joins ARPA-E DC-GRIDS Consortium

NoMIS Power Corporation, a prominent player in advanced Silicon Carbide (SiC) power semiconductor technology, has recently announced its engagement as an industry partner within the DC-GRIDS consortium, a significant initiative backed by the U.S. government. This consortium aims to develop cutting-edge technology for high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems, with a focus on boosting the United States' transmission capacity to manage increasing electricity demands and integrate renewable energy sources.

Project Overview

The consortium initiative, which is funded with $2.5 million over three years and led by Michigan State University under the guidance of Dr. Omid Beik, seeks to develop Neutral Point Clamped Power Electronics Building Blocks (NPC-PEBBs). These are designed to provide plug-and-play submodules for modular valves in multiport multiterminal HVDC converters. NoMIS Power's significant contribution includes supplying its 3.3 kV SiC MOSFETs, which feature advancements aimed at improving efficiency and reducing losses.

The Importance of SiC Technology

The 3.3 kV MOSFETs from NoMIS Power, available in variants including the anticipated 25 mΩ device, are positioned to play a vital role. These power semiconductors are pivotal in achieving lower conduction losses and higher efficiency across the HVDC architecture. With the increasing reliance on renewable resources and power from data centers, robust HVDC systems are paramount for future energy demands. NoMIS Power's products, particularly the upcoming 25 mΩ device, are engineered to meet the challenges posed by such innovations in energy management.

Consortium Collaboration

The consortium comprises various organizations, including NoMIS Power, EPRI, OPAL-RT Technologies, GE Grid Solutions, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Salt River Project, and Minnesota Power. Such diverse collaboration is aimed at enhancing HVDC technology, which is vital for long-distance power transmission and modernizing the electrical grid to support sustainable practices.

NoMIS Power’s SiC portfolio will directly serve the consortium's goals, where the NPC-PEBB submodules will be developed using NoMIS' U.S.-designed technologies. The integration of these devices in HVDC converters will result in a three-level 6.6 kV output, capable of delivering significant improvements over traditional silicon-based solutions, including efficiency and reliability enhancements.

Future Impact on Energy Infrastructure

The DC-GRIDS project is a strategic effort to bolster the U.S. electrical grid, ensuring it can support future energy requirements through advanced HVDC solutions. As the world increasingly shifts towards renewable energy sources, NoMIS Power's materials and systems are critical for constructing a more resilient and efficient energy infrastructure. The project signifies a substantial shift for NoMIS as it commits to enhancing SiC device-level packaging and coordination within the assembly and performance testing of these technologies.

Dr. Adam Morgan, Co-Founder and CEO of NoMIS Power, commented on the company's pivotal role, stating, "MT-HVDC is foundational to the future of the U.S. grid, and our 3.3 kV SiC portfolio is purpose-built for exactly this class of application. We're proud to support Dr. Beik and the Michigan State-led team with U.S.-designed SiC MOSFETs, modules, and packaging expertise."

Conclusion

Through its involvement in the DC-GRIDS initiative, NoMIS Power is asserting its leadership position in the semiconductor market, enabling transformational advancements in HVDC technology. The intersection of innovative semiconductor design and effective energy management strategies is essential for navigating future energy challenges, and NoMIS is at the forefront of these developments. As they continue to roll out their cutting-edge SiC products, advancing the capability and stability of the electrical grid becomes an achievable goal.