Fast Acting Solid State Silicon Carbide (SiC) based Fault Current Limiters for Electrical Distribution Systems Navy SBIR FY2006.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2006.2 Topic No.: N06-134 Topic Title: Fast Acting Solid State Silicon Carbide (SiC) based Fault Current Limiters for Electrical Distribution Systems Proposal No.: N062-134-0113 Firm: Arkansas Power Electronics International, Inc. 535 W. Research Center Blvd., Suite 209 Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701-7174 Contact: Roberto Schupbach Phone: (479) 443-5759 Web Site: www.apei.net Abstract: This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project seeks to develop and prove the feasibility of realizing high-voltage, high-power density Solid-State Fault Current Limiter (SSFCL) technology utilizing Silicon Carbide (SiC) thyristors. The proposed fault current detection and limitation technology will be more efficient, have a higher power density, and be more cost effective for US Navy applications. For this project, Arkansas Power Electronics International, Inc. (APEI, Inc.), with expertise in SiC-based power electronics systems and SiC power packaging, will partner with the congressionally funded University of Arkansas' National Center for Reliable Electric Power Transmission (NCREPT), with expertise in the design and testing of transmission and distribution components / systems (such as SSFCLs). APEI, Inc. will prove the feasibility of the proposed concept and design through the successful demonstration of an SSFCL hardware prototype by the conclusion of Phase I. The work in Phase I will first concentrate on the packaging and characterization of 1kV/36A SiC thyristors, followed by the design, building, and testing of an SSFCL prototype using the SiC thyristors. In Phase II, APEI, Inc. will focus on extending the power rating of the SSFCL to 15kV/1kA by utilizing 5.2kV/100A SiC thyristors. Benefits: The customers for the specific technology being developed in this SBIR program will be the US Navy and the power generation and power distribution industry. The customers for SiC power electronic products are those requiring high performance systems such as: military electronics (e.g., ships, aircraft, rockets, military weapons' platforms, combat vehicles, etc), aerospace (e.g., satellites, spacecraft, commercial airplanes, etc.), automotive (e.g., electric and hybrid-electric vehicles and subcomponents of more-electric vehicles), and petroleum and gas exploration (e.g., down-hole drilling, exploration logging tools, etc.). Hence, customers for this technology in the short-term are: (a) Federal government (US military and NASA), (b) energy conglomerates and exploration (Siemens, Halliburton, Conoco, Oyo Geo Space), and (c) defense contractors (Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Lockheed-Martin, Raytheon, etc.) who provide a path to sell technology for government systems. Potential customers of this technology within the mid to long term include industrial and consumer motor manufacturers (Baldor Motors & Drives), power transmission and distribution industry (ConEd), electric or hybrid-electric vehicle manufacturers (Nissan, GM, Toyota, Ford), and consumer electronics manufacturers (Sony, Motorola, LG, Yamaha, Pioneer). ConEd has provided a support letter indicating their belief that developing this technology could revolutionize the power industry. Return