Life Cycle Assessment as an Eco-Design Tool in Power Electronics: A Case Study of 1.2 kV Si IGBT vs SiC MOSFET Modules in Motor Drive Inverter
Year: 2025
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Power electronics are essential for efficient energy conversion. However, their production and operation come with an environmental cost, as they still contribute to emissions and resource depletion. This study aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of life cycle assessment (LCA) as an eco-design tool in power electronics by comparing the environmental impacts of 1.2 kV silicon integrated gate bipolar transistor (Si IGBT) and silicon carbide metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (SiC MOSFET) power modules in an industrial motor drive inverter application. Cradle-to-grave LCA is employed following the ISO 14040/14044 standards. Results indicate that while SiC MOSFET modules have higher manufacturing environmental costs, they lead to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and resource depletion over their lifespan due to their lower operational losses. Additionally, the study explores sustainability improvements through durability enhancements and baseplate modular design, showing that these circular economy measures can further mitigate environmental impacts if the logistics are well-handled. This research highlights the crucial role of LCA in assessing eco-design strategies, which offers actionable insights for industry stakeholders and policymakers seeking to promote sustainable practices in power electronics.
Authors: Mostafa Radwan, Hossein Sadegh Lafmejani, Mervi Paulasto-Kröckel, Joonas Leppänen, Vesa Vuorinen, Marko Hinkkanen
Institutions: Aalto University, University of Parma, ABB (Finland)
Language: English
Subfield: Environmental Engineering
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4416728665