o Silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductor technology has made it possible to break the record in Europe
Last October, the multi-energy company Repsol unveiled the most powerful charging station in Europe, located at the Ugaldebieta service station on the A-8 motorway as it passes through the town of Abanto-Zierbena (Bizkaia, Spain). This is the second ultra-rapid charging station that Repsol has put into operation and it features 4 charging outlets, each with a rated power of 400 kW. This project was carried out in partnership by Ibil and Ingeteam and was put into service for Repsol.You can find more news on this topic in our blog, so click here to learn more!
SiC technology These ultra-rapid chargers are based on silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors. Mikel Zabaleta, in charge of the development of these high-power chargers, gives us a few details on their operation: "They are 10 to 15 times faster", yet this speed also has its drawbacks. Electromagnetic disturbances, overvoltages and resonances are just some of the factors considered in the product design and development. As a result, measures were applied to avoid these problems and to mitigate any potential issues.
The operation of silicon carbide switches is similar to that of conventional silicon ones, however, thanks to SiC, it is possible to reduce switching times: "This speed of operation results in fewer losses and also a reduction in component size", Zabaleta points out.
The implementation of SiC technology in commercial equipment (with industrial requirements) is a first of its kind, at a global level. The in-depth study of the impact of SiC technology, by the team led by Mikel Zabaleta, was key to the design optimization.
Do you have any questions? Do not hesitate to contact us, we will be happy to help you. 'SiC is the material of the near future' SiC technology makes it possible to increase the efficiency of our EV chargers, which is vital for ultra-rapid chargers, given the extremely high power handling capacity. SiC makes it possible to implement technological innovations in the charger, directed at reducing the volume required: "A high-frequency insulation that reduces the size of the transformer by several orders of magnitude". The energy density achieved through the use of SiC is impossible to obtain with conventional silicon semiconductors, thus allowing for more compact chargers with a high design conten.
Backgrounds Ultra-rapid EV chargers are available with power ratings from 150 to 350 kW. Our innovative charger is capable of charging at up to 400 kW, positioning it as the most powerful charger in Europe.
Irrespective of the maximum power output of the charger, the final charging power is determined by the car itself. At present, few vehicles are able to charge at 400 kW, but the number is expected to grow in the future. Therefore, this charger is not only ready to charge today's electric vehicles but also those of tomorrow.
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