A Semi-modular and SiC-based Smart Transformer

The Smart Transformer (ST) Demonstrator is a hardware prototype developed at Chair of Power Electronics of CAU Kiel, with the aim to demonstrate the high potential of such system, as well as the high performance of the architecture proposed by the research group. The Architecture is based on the modular concept and using a specific topology providing either high performance and economic advantages. Thus, it is very appealing for industry application. Among the several advantages of the modular concept, the easy maintenance is highlighted.

The ST demonstrator is a three-phase system and it connected a low voltage dc with value of 800V and a medium voltage ac with output voltage level of 2.6 kV line-to-line. Moreover, the system can process up to 100 kW of output power. In contrast with traditional scientific community, which normally has used only down-scaled prototypes to investigate this sort of system, the CAU Kiel has developed a realistic prototype considering all application requirements, overcoming most of the implementation challenges.