ENODA Power Electronics Stack Tested at Power Networks Demonstration Centre (PNDC)
Last week PNDC featured the testing of ENODA’s prototype silicon carbide-based power electronics stack in their lastest case study.
PNDC are committed to advancing electricity, heat and transport systems.
PNDC tested a prototype silicon carbide-based power electronics stack, designed in collaboration with Mersen, a global expert in electrical power and advanced materials for high-tech industries.
ENODA’s silicon carbide-based power electronics stack is one of the key sub systems in the market ready Enoda PRIME® Exchanger.
The Enoda PRIME® Exchanger is a dynamic power flow hardware technology, which can automate and enhance power quality in low-voltage systems.
Testing provided valuable analytics related to design boundaries.
Read the full case study here:
The Evolving Energy Sector
The energy sector is constantly advancing, with increasing encouragement from governments to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This poses significant challenges to the functionality of the energy grid. ENODA have created a modern power system, that will provide support for the integration of sustainable energy sources.
Case Study Aims
The aim of the study was to accelerate the advancement of a novel, dynamic power flow technology and ultimately support the shift to a renewable energy system.
Key Outcomes
The collaboration between PNDC provided ENODA with valuable analytics related to design boundaries, contributing to the optimisation of the Enoda PRIME® Exchanger’s overall performance.
Performance Validation: The prototype operated as expected at high power levels, proving its ability to withstand demanding conditions.
Thermal analysis: Testing allowed the team to examine the prototype’s thermal features, ensuring effective heat management.
Loss Breakdown: The study provided insight into the breakdown of losses, identifying areas for system optimisation.
Dynamic Switching Optimisation: The team addressed dynamic switching characteristics, highlighting areas for fine-tuning to enhance ability and performance.
ENODA’s Principal of Power Electronics, Hitesh Dhokiya commented:
“The successful validation of one of our critical subsystems was enabled by PNDC’s comprehensive expertise in test infrastructure design, advanced test and measurement methodologies and precise execution in accordance with ENODA’s defined specifications.
We were able to verify boundary conditions under different scenarios. The success of this project will enable us to have more analytics related to the design margins in the power electronics stack and enhance the overall performance level of the Enoda® PRIME Exchanger, without compromising reliability.
The core team members at ENODA included: Dr. Haleema Qamar, Dr. Lydia Sands, Mr. Maheshkumar Baria and Mr. Jonathan Collett. They all expressed how knowledgeable and cooperative the PNDC team were; not only during the test setup phase, but also during the test execution phase.”
PNDC’s Senior R&D Engineer, Allan Downie noted:
“This project marks another successful step in our ongoing collaboration with ENODA, supporting the development of innovative technologies that accelerate the journey to Net Zero. By leveraging PNDC’s advanced test infrastructure and representative environment, we were able to evaluate and validate the performance of ENODA’s silicon carbide-based power electronics stack. We look forward to continuing our partnership with ENODA as they continue to deliver high-performance solutions for the future energy system.”
Enoda Prime® Exchanger
The Enoda PRIME® Exchanger is a dynamic power flow hardware technology, which can automate and enhance power quality in low-voltage systems. It can balance three phases; removing damaging harmonics, correcting power factor, and providing decarbonised frequency services at scale.
Power Networks Demonstration Centre (PNDC)
As one of the University of Strathclyde’s industry-facing innovation centres, PNDC conducts cutting-edge research, testing, and demonstration of energy systems within controlled environments. They are committed to advancing electricity, heat, and transport systems that support the transition to net zero emissions, driving sustainable prosperity