Advanced Wide Band Gap-based Drive System for Concentrated Solar Power Plant

Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) systems are preferred in sunny and high-temperature weathers to collect the maximum possible amount of heat. The concept of CSP is to collect the solar beams and transfer thermal energy to a fluid that can be considered as a heat generator. This fluid can be used directly for thermal devices operation like chillers or indirectly for electricity generation and water desalination systems. Four different types of CSP are used nowadays; all are using a solar tracker to follow the sunbeams all over the year. The accuracy of reflecting these beams depends on the tracker drive system precision and the control system sensitivity. Recently, gallium nitrate (GAN) semiconductor technology has been used to implement power electronic converters (PECs) thanks to its low transition periods. The use of GAN semiconductors substantially reduces the losses and thermal stress for the PECs. Additionally, it allows a safe operation at higher temperature levels compared to traditional semiconductors. Although CSP plants have been used in the Middle East and North Africa using electrical drives based on traditional PECs, this is not considered a clear indication for its validity to be used in gulf countries because of the higher temperature and humidity levels. Therefore, a GAN-based converter is proposed for KSA's harsh weather conditions. This proposal aims to develop a GAN-based drive system of a CSP plant. A complete design and implementation for a GAN-based PEC is targeted to enhance the drive system efficiency and implement a variable frequency drive (VFD) suitable for the harsh weather conditions in the Kingdom. The prototype of the proposed VFD will be designed, implemented, and tested in KFUPM laboratories