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Conventional, wide-bandgap, and hybrid power converters: A comprehensive review

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  • Suthar, Anvi N.
  • Venkataramanaiah, J.
  • Suresh, Y.

Abstract

This review delves into cutting-edge wide band gap (WBG) technology, a third-generation switching device, exploring its fundamental properties and system-level applications. Emphasizing silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) materials, the review highlights their superior energy efficiency in power electronic converters compared to traditional silicon (Si) materials. WBG-based converters achieve higher efficiency and reducing energy losses as compared to Si-based converters. These devices operate effectively at higher switching frequencies and reducing passive component size in direct current (DC) - alternating current (AC) applications at higher cost. Thereby, this study identifies hybrid converters combining Si and WBG switches as cost-effective solutions, achieving efficiency gains of higher percentages over fully Si-based designs. The review presents a parametric comparison among traditional, fully WBG-based, and hybrid converters, examining various aspects such as switching frequency, blocking voltages, losses, efficiency, reliability, cost, thermal constraints and device count which remain essential for the broader adoption in various applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Suthar, Anvi N. & Venkataramanaiah, J. & Suresh, Y., 2025. "Conventional, wide-bandgap, and hybrid power converters: A comprehensive review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 213(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:213:y:2025:i:c:s1364032125000929
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2025.115419
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Amit Kumar & Milad Moradpour & Michele Losito & Wulf-Toke Franke & Suganthi Ramasamy & Roberto Baccoli & Gianluca Gatto, 2022. "Wide Band Gap Devices and Their Application in Power Electronics," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-26, December.
    2. Olcay Bay & Manh Tuan Tran & Mohamed El Baghdadi & Sajib Chakraborty & Omar Hegazy, 2023. "A Comprehensive Review of GaN-Based Bi-directional On-Board Charger Topologies and Modulation Methods," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-45, April.
    3. Ingilala Jagadeesh & Vairavasundaram Indragandhi, 2022. "Comparative Study of DC-DC Converters for Solar PV with Microgrid Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-21, October.
    4. Zhang, Guidong & Li, Zhong & Zhang, Bo & Halang, Wolfgang A., 2018. "Power electronics converters: Past, present and future," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P2), pages 2028-2044.
    5. Omar Sarwar Chaudhary & Mouloud Denaï & Shady S. Refaat & Georgios Pissanidis, 2023. "Technology and Applications of Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Materials: Current State and Future Trends," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-27, September.
    6. Yalin Wang & Yi Ding & Yi Yin, 2022. "Reliability of Wide Band Gap Power Electronic Semiconductor and Packaging: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-23, September.
    7. Alberto Castellazzi & Emre Gurpinar & Zhenyu Wang & Abdallah Suliman Hussein & Pablo Garcia Fernandez, 2019. "Impact of Wide-Bandgap Technology on Renewable Energy and Smart-Grid Power Conversion Applications Including Storage," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-14, November.
    8. Chunyang Gu & Pat Wheeler & Alberto Castellazzi & Alan J. Watson & Francis Effah, 2017. "Semiconductor Devices in Solid-State/Hybrid Circuit Breakers: Current Status and Future Trends," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-25, April.
    9. Pawel Szczesniak, 2019. "Challenges and Design Requirements for Industrial Applications of AC/AC Power Converters without DC-Link," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-18, April.
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