This solution is a converter designed using silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors. This emerging material in the sector improves upon the performance of conventional components, offering features such as higher switching speeds and greater thermal conductivity—key factors for achieving greater efficiency in these types of devices. Converters are crucial elements for the operation of a railway system, as they transform electrical energy into the power that drives a train's motors.
The development was carried out within the framework of the European Roll2Rail project, which began in 2015 and concludes this coming October. The public-private partnership Shift2Rail, dedicated to coordinating major modernization initiatives in the European rail industry, spearheaded this project under the European Union's Horizon 2020 program.
Roll2Rail has received funding of 16 million euros and, in addition to CAF Power & Automation and IK4-IKERLAN, some thirty companies, technology centers and leading universities in the railway sector at the European level have participated.
Development of a prototype:
The potential offered by SiC technology has been demonstrated thanks to a full-scale prototype developed in collaboration by both entities, which addresses the new needs of rail transport, such as weight reduction and energy efficiency in trains.
The use of silicon carbide in traction equipment has made it possible to reduce the volume and weight of the power core, as well as that of the magnetic components. Furthermore, it improves the energy efficiency of conventional conversion systems by reducing electrical losses during conversion.
Applications in diverse sectors:
IK4-IKERLAN has been working for years on next-generation converters based on silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductors for various applications. This project, therefore, has the potential to open new avenues beyond the railway sector.
“This technology is not only applicable to train traction systems, but also to all converters where efficiency and system size play a crucial role, such as the new generation of electric vehicles, the industrial sector, and the renewable energy sector,” explains Rujas.
In this regard, the technology center in Arrasate-Mondragón is collaborating with leading companies such as the elevator systems manufacturer Orona on the development of more efficient elevator converters.
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