A high availability energy router
Super-HEART is an innovation project funded by the European commission (EIC) and which targets the development of a high-availability power converter for multi-source integration, for applications that are critical and have high downtime costs.
Electrification of society is reaching mission critical applications. However, power electronics (PE) devices are prone to failure, and high availability is usually ensured using redundancy – which is expensive and bulky. In the meantime, PE allows hybrid (AC & DC) electric distribution, which is key to integration of renewable power sources and use of hydrogen as energy carrier. Multi-source integration, including renewable generators and energy storage, is furthermore required to ensure continuity of operation, whilst compensating the limited dynamics of power sources like fuel cells and filtering out disturbances carried by the grid. With Super-HEART, Fraunhofer ISIT, Kiel University, and Trinity College Dublin, target the development of a high availability power converter for multi-source energy integration, for applications that require continuous operation. Data centers, net-zero energy buildings, DC-industry, and heavy-duty e-mobility are the primary target applications.
The project is addressing technical (development of super-capacitors and power electronics) development, as well as aspects related to commercialization (e.g., market and competitor analysis), together with commercialization-related technical developments (e.g., standards, certifications).