I recently read that
Toyota and Denso are working on silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors, more efficient than silicon, to reduce how much energy is wasted by the inverters in hybrid cars.
Quote:
Through use of SiC power semiconductors, Toyota aims to improve hybrid vehicle (HV) fuel efficiency by 10 percent [...] SiC power semiconductors have low power loss when switching on and off, allowing for efficient current flow even at higher frequencies.
[...]
PCUs play an important role in hybrids and other vehicles with an electrified powertrain: they supply electrical power from the battery to the motor to control vehicle speed, and also send electricity generated during deceleration to the battery for storage. However, PCUs account for approximately 25 percent of the total electrical power loss in HVs, with an estimated 20 percent of the total loss associated with the power semiconductors alone. Therefore, a key way to improve fuel efficiency is to improve power semiconductor efficiency, specifically by reducing resistance experienced by the passing current.
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I am wondering if this technology can also be used to improve the efficiency of inverters used for RE, for example solar and wind?