SiC4GRID is a 42-month EU-funded project gathering partners from the complete value chain of SiC-based converters collaborating to tackle current obstacles to the technologies' market uptake. SiC4GRID thus aims for an optimised integrated SiC-based technology composed of three-fold innovations in terms of hardware, software and IoT.

A generic design optimization framework for an optimal system architecture in three renewables use case scenarios has been recently developed by the project partners. In particular, wind and solar energy applications in MVDC/HVDC systems are considered, and their cost, efficiency and lifetime have been optimized in function of different topologies.

The system architecture has been considered in terms of power electronics converters' topologies, modularity and ratings, all utilizing SiC-based modules. Medium-fidelity analytical modelling of the system components has been considered to conduct performance assessment. Also, sensitivity analyses have been performed to observe the influence of the different system parameters and specific converter topologies on the optimization.

This design optimization framework aims at providing a comprehensive tool for system operators, energy providers and technology manufacturers to find the best system topology in function of their cost and performance objectives. These actors have been directly involved in the development of the tool for relevant feedback. A graphical user interface is currently under development for seamless usage of the tool.