Power Electronics

NREL is researching power electronics and control systems that enable seamless integration of renewable energy resources and microgrids with the grid while meeting stringent operational requirements.

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Capabilities

NREL supports advanced manufacturing through power electronics-related capabilities and projects.

Take a virtual 360-degree tour of the power electronic facilities on NREL's Colorado campuses!

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Grid-Integrated Electric Drive Analysis

NREL performed thermal management analysis and simulations on a high-performance, high-speed drive—developed by The Ohio State University—that can integrate with electric grids. NREL's research could significantly advance transformer-less drive technologies for a range of industries and motor applications.

A room with grey machinery in every corner.

Advancing Wide-Bandgap Power Modules

NREL's advanced modeling and experimental capabilities are being utilized by General Electric Aviation Systems, a subsidiary of GE, to improve the thermal performance and reliability of their wide bandgap power modules and highlight the impact of collaboration between industry and national laboratories.

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Oxide Electronic Devices

NREL leads a three-party partnership in developing oxide electronic devices for extreme operating environments, including high temperatures, corrosive atmospheres, and mechanical stresses. NREL is working alongside academia and industry partners to complete these efforts.

A translucent silicon wafer is at the foreground with a blurred background.

Silicon Carbide Wafer Manufacturing

NREL's advanced manufacturing researchers partner with industry and academia to improve the materials and processes used to manufacture silicon carbide wafers to simplify fabrication and reduce costs.

A small, red, square-like all-electric vehicle in front of a white building with grass in the foreground.

Thermo-Mechanical Analysis

NREL helps design, develop, fabricate, and validate wide-bandgap power electronics systems for all-electric vehicles John Deere Electronic Solutions in thermal design optimization and thermo-mechanical modeling of critical inverter components for wide-bandgap power electronics.

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Wide-Bandgap Device and Packaging Research

NREL researches thermal and reliability aspects of wide-bandgap-based metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors and packages/modules with graduate student fellows from Virginia Tech. Students under the U.S. Department of Energy traineeship are exposed to modeling techniques and help conduct laboratory research experiments to investigate power electronics packaging strategies.