The power grid and connected power producers, such as offshore wind farms, need reliable converters. Converters change electricity between different voltages and current types. The project develops better semiconductor components and methods to monitor the condition of the converters, so that failures can be predicted and prevented.
SINTEF Energi hosts one of the pilots in FLAGCHIP, where the developed converters will be tested at the National Smart Grid Laboratory in Trondheim. An AC/DC converter architecture for an offshore wind farm and substation will be simulated here (bidirectional high-voltage direct current (HVDC) network).
SINTEF Energi also leads the work on calculating the cost reductions resulting from the new semiconductor components and improved condition monitoring. A model for optimized maintenance of converters in an offshore wind farm will be developed. It uses information about the converters' condition, weather forecasts and risk of failure to find the best time for maintenance. We are also developing techno-economic models that show how costs and risks are distributed between wind farm owners and service providers, depending on the business model/contracts.