Workshop

Medium voltage power electronics are advancing rapidly, with significant improvements in power semiconductor devices and new applications emerging. Medium voltage converters, primarily used in variable speed motor drives, are seeing new applications that could expand the market. The semiconductor industry is already responding to these changes. For instance, a new class of 2.2 kV SiC MOSFETs was introduced two years ago for photovoltaic (PV) applications, capable of handling system voltages up to 1500 VDC. This is just the beginning of PV developments. The isolation voltage of commercial PV modules is currently being increased to 2 kV, in line with standards in the USA and China. Research is also ongoing into 3 kV PV strings with glass-glass modules. Similar technological advancements are being made in wind power and utility-scale battery energy storage systems. Another emerging application is long-distance transport, where battery-powered electric trucks are gaining attention. This trend is supported by the European expansion plan for high-performance charging stations, which are set to be installed every 50 km along European motorways over the next 10-15 years. These stations will have an electrical power range of 8-30 MVA, comparable to the average demand of a small town.

Low-voltage systems are insufficient for handling this power. The trend towards higher power levels is also evident in other applications driven by electrification due to the energy transition and increased overall power demands. This workshop will focus on upcoming medium voltage applications and the latest technologies that enable efficient and compact medium-voltage converter systems.