Work

Comparative Electro-Thermal Evaluation of IGBT- and SiC MOSFET-Based Bidirectional DC-DC Converters for Supercapacitor Energy Storage Systems

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Bidirectional DC-DC converters are key interfaces between supercapacitor energy storage systems and DC networks in applications requiring rapid bidirectional power exchange, particularly regenerative braking and acceleration support. This paper presents a like-for-like comparison of IGBT- and SiC MOSFET-based implementations of the same 125 kW rated non-isolated bidirectional buck–boost converter platform. The novelty lies in a controlled system-level comparison in which the semiconductor technology is changed, while the converter architecture, control structure and operating conditions are retained, enabling the electro-thermal impact of the device technology to be assessed in both directions of power flow. Both semiconductor technologies are evaluated in buck and boost operation through analytical loss calculations, manufacturer-based electro-thermal simulations, and laboratory measurements. The laboratory measurements reached approximately 50 kW in buck mode and 38 kW in boost mode for both semiconductor implementations; the 125 kW results are analytical/manufacturer tool projections rather than rated-power experimental validation. The results obtained from the manufacturer tool simulations show that the relative benefit of SiC depends on both the switching frequency and power flow direction. In particular, the SiC implementation provides a substantially greater thermal margin in boost operation, while the buck-mode comparison reveals a frequency-dependent crossover for the selected devices. The partial-power experimental results support the electro-thermal trends observed in the analysis and simulations, particularly the reduced thermal stress of the SiC implementation. These results highlight the importance of considering both the switching frequency and power flow direction when selecting the semiconductor technology for high-power bidirectional supercapacitor converters.

Source: Electronics

DOI: 10.3390/electronics15204630

Authors: Gökhan Göçmen, Işık Çadırcı

Institution: Hacettepe University

Language: English

Topic: Advanced DC-DC Converters

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896