What Are the Application Areas of Solid-State Transformers? A Complete Guide

Solid-state transformers (SST) offer high efficiency, reliability, and flexibility, making them suitable for a wide range of applications:

• Power Systems: In the upgrade and replacement of traditional transformers, solid-state transformers show significant development potential and market prospects. SSTs enable efficient, stable power conversion along with intelligent control and management, helping to enhance the reliability, adaptability, and intelligence of power systems.

• Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations: SSTs enable efficient and precise power conversion and control, and are increasingly used in EV battery charging technologies. With fast response, smooth control of vehicle peak power, and the ability to support power feedback, SSTs are expected to become a key technology in future EV charging.

• High-Speed Trains: SSTs can be used in the traction power systems of high-speed trains, providing efficient and reliable power conversion, transformer control, and rapid response to dynamic load changes. They offer advantages in improving train performance, cooling efficiency, and weight management.

• Renewable Energy: In power generation systems such as solar and wind, SSTs enable efficient and reliable power conversion and control. This improves the reliability and grid integration of renewable energy, helping to address challenges related to connecting renewables to the grid.

Data Centers

• Medium-voltage power supply and facility-level DC distribution based on SSTs

• Replacing conventional AC distribution with facility-level DC distribution to reduce losses and improve reliability

Offshore Wind Power

• AC step-up and isolation via high-frequency transformers within SSTs

• Compact, high-efficiency offshore substations equipped with SSTs enable long-distance HVDC transmission

Subsea Grids

• Platform-free or float-free DC power transmission using SSTs

• Compact, weight-optimized SST configurations enable longer-distance subsea operations

Power-to-Gas

• SST configurations utilizing surplus wind/solar energy for electrolysis and hydrogen storage

• Compact SST designs ideal for converting high-power AC to low-voltage DC

Smart Grids and EV Charging

• SST configurations for DC microgrids

• Higher efficiency and lower cost by eliminating low-voltage DC conversion

• SST-based bidirectional medium-voltage interfaces

• Establish energy hubs for efficient energy management, peak shaving, and grid stabilization

Aircraft and Naval Vessel Electrification

• Superconducting power distribution systems for electric aircraft propulsion using SSTs

• Compact, weight-optimized SSTs offer design flexibility in power transmission

• Marine DC power distribution based on SSTs

• SST-enabled DC distribution can improve energy efficiency by up to 20%

In summary, solid-state transformers are applicable in power systems, EV charging stations, high-speed trains, renewable energy generation, and beyond, demonstrating broad application prospects and significant market potential.