The adoption and application of DC microgrid is rising. The grid combines renewable energy, energy storage systems and end devices, enhancing energy conversion efficiency. It will see more application in EV charging.
DC microgrid sees less energy loss during the process of transporting current because it does not require conversion as an AC microgrid does.
A DC microgrid supporting EV charging encompasses renewable energy and battery energy storage systems. When the voltage on both sides of an EV and a charger increase, the operating current will become lower and the charging efficiency will improve. Therefore, the energy loss will reduce further.
Most EV batteries are 400-volt nowadays. More 800-volt batteries will arise as demand for more highly-efficient charging is growing. Since the power will remain at the same level, the current flows through the wires in a vehicle will reduce. The power loss will decrease accordingly.
As EV battery voltage is expected to increase from 400V to 800V, the operating voltage of chargers must be grown from 500V to anywhere between 920V and 1,000V. The situation will prompt the operating voltage of power semiconductor components to increase from anywhere between 650V and 750V to 1,200V. DIGITIMES Research estimated that 800V EVs will account for 15% of the market share in 2025.
Charging efficiency is on track to improve. As a result, the voltage of batteries and chargers is expected to grow. Power semiconductors will likely have to endure 1,700V to 2,200V in the future. A 1,000V to 1,200V vehicle electronics architecture (VEA) will probably arise three to five years from now.
Wide band gap semiconductors like SiC and GaN will be essential in the application of 1,000V VEA. STM has been a leading SiC developer with over 50% market share in industrial and automotive applications. Its power GaN component mostly supports servers, telecommunication and energy storage systems. STM plans to expand wide band gap semiconductor production in response to the need for ultra-voltage applications, energy conservation and efficiency optimization.
