Power Loss Modelling and Performance Comparison of Three-Level GaN-Based Inverters Used for Electric Traction

Arjun Sujeeth; Angelo Di Cataldo; Luigi Danilo Tornello; Mario Pulvirenti; Luciano Salvo; Angelo Giuseppe Sciacca; Giacomo Scelba; Mario Cacciato

doi:10.3390/en17030595

Energies (Jan 2024)

Power Loss Modelling and Performance Comparison of Three-Level GaN-Based Inverters Used for Electric Traction

Arjun Sujeeth,
Angelo Di Cataldo,
Luigi Danilo Tornello,
Mario Pulvirenti,
Luciano Salvo,
Angelo Giuseppe Sciacca,
Giacomo Scelba,
Mario Cacciato

Affiliations

Arjun Sujeeth: STMicroelectronics, Stradale Primo Sole 50, 95121 Catania, Italy
Angelo Di Cataldo: Department of Electrical Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 64, 95123 Catania, Italy
Luigi Danilo Tornello: Department of Electrical Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 64, 95123 Catania, Italy
Mario Pulvirenti: STMicroelectronics, Stradale Primo Sole 50, 95121 Catania, Italy
Luciano Salvo: STMicroelectronics, Stradale Primo Sole 50, 95121 Catania, Italy
Angelo Giuseppe Sciacca: STMicroelectronics, Stradale Primo Sole 50, 95121 Catania, Italy
Giacomo Scelba: Department of Electrical Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 64, 95123 Catania, Italy
Mario Cacciato: Department of Electrical Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 64, 95123 Catania, Italy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/en17030595
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 17, no. 3
p. 595

Abstract

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The main aim of this work is to present a step-by-step procedure to model and analyze the power loss distribution of three-level Gallium Nitride (GaN) inverters. It has been applied to three distinct three-phase three-level voltage source inverters utilized in electric traction drives: Active Neutral Point Clamped, Neutral Point Clamped and T-Type Neutral Point Clamped. The proposed analytical power loss modelling, combined with an equivalent representation of the electrical machine proved to be a viable solution to achieve a time-saving and low computational burden simulation platform, leading to satisfying accurate results. This has been confirmed by comparing the results carried out from the simulations of a 110 kW permanent magnet synchronous motor drive and those determined by considering a simplified circuital representation based on the proposed analytical power loss modelling.

Published in Energies

ISSN: 1996-1073 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Technology
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/energies

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