ROHM has announced that it will supply SiC-based power modules to the VENTURI Formula E team for the 2017-2018 FIA Formula E season (fourth season), the premier racing competition for electric vehicles, which begins in Hong Kong on December 2nd and 3rd. This module will further enhance the car's performance under competitive conditions.As a leading developer of SiC-based power devices, ROHM became VENTURI's official technology partner starting in Season 3, providing the world's most advanced SiC power devices for use in the inverter, the core of the electric vehicle's propulsion system.
The inverter for Season 4 integrates a SiC-based power module, making it 43% smaller and 6 kg lighter than the inverter used in Season 2.
Investor Comparison:
Formula E is an electric vehicle racing series organized by the FIA (International Automobile Federation) that began in 2014. The competition has expanded to cities around the world, including metropolises such as Hong Kong, Berlin, and New York, and advocates for an environmentally friendly approach that does not use fossil fuels. The key to victory in this racing series is for drivers to use energy as efficiently as possible, thus getting the most out of the stored energy. It is hoped that the technological advancements in Formula E can be transferred to mainstream electric vehicles in the future. Although this sporting event is still in its early stages, it already has the participation of several car manufacturers from around the world. Major automakers, including Japanese manufacturers, have already declared their intention to join the race.
For many years, ROHM has provided a diverse range of products, including power supply ICs and various control ICs, as well as specialized products such as power devices, shunt resistors, and other components for automotive applications. ROHM continues to lead the way in developing SiC-based power devices, which offer significantly reduced losses compared to conventional Si (silicon)-based devices. These power devices will be increasingly used in electric vehicle (EV) motors and inverters.
According to Franck Baldet, CTO of the VENTURI Formula E Team: “Formula E is the only motorsport event where the latest technological advancements in next-generation electric vehicles can be tested. We are very proud of our technical partnership with ROHM in the area of energy management, which is key to Formula E racing. In season four, with the adoption of an all-SiC power module, we have made a lightweight inverter a reality, requiring only a minimal amount of space. Thanks to the use of this latest technology, I expect we can drastically reduce our lap times, and I also hope we can continue to advance other technological revolutions through our partnership with ROHM.”.
Kazuhide Ino, Group General Manager of Power Device Production Headquarters, ROHM Co., Ltd., states: “ROHM has been supplying products for modern automobiles for many years, with quality as our main advantage. Currently, this is an area we would like to focus on, and semiconductor devices will certainly play a crucial role in today's hybrid and electric vehicles. The SiC-based power device we are supplying for the Formula E race car is one example. We already contributed SiC-SBDs in the third season last year (2016-2017), but this year we are offering SiC-based power modules that combine SiC SBDs and SiC MOSFETs. These modules will contribute to improving the vehicle's performance. I hope we can continue to contribute to society through the efficient conversion of energy across a wide range of industries and sectors, starting with electric vehicles.”.
The advantage of using SiC products:
The SiC-based power module used in the inverter of VENTURI's Formula E racing car achieves high performance thanks to the development of a new package with an improved internal structure and optimized thermal management. Compared to conventional IGBT modules with similar current ratings, this module reduces switching losses by 75% (at a chip temperature of 150°C). This contributes to the overall energy efficiency of the application. Furthermore, the ability to reduce the size of the inverter's peripheral components through the use of a higher switching frequency, along with the reduction in switching losses, also contributes to a more compact cooling system.
By using this all-SiC-based power module in the inverter (the core of the propulsion system), it is 43% smaller and 6 kg lighter than in the second season. Even compared to the previous inverter used in the third season, it is 30% smaller and 4 kg lighter.
