NoMIS Power Corporation has joined a three-year, $2.5 million U.S. Department of Energy ARPA-E DC-GRIDS program led by Michigan State University to develop next-generation high-voltage SiC-based modular converter technology for multi-terminal HVDC (MT-HVDC) systems.
The project focuses on creating Neutral Point Clamped Power Electronics Building Blocks (NPC-PEBBs) — standardized, vendor-agnostic submodules designed for scalable HVDC converter architectures used in grid modernization, AI data center power delivery, offshore wind integration, and long-distance transmission infrastructure.
At the core of the initiative is NoMIS Power’s expanding 3.3 kV SiC MOSFET portfolio, including its existing 80 mΩ device and upcoming 50 mΩ and 25 mΩ variants. The future 25 mΩ 3.3 kV MOSFET is particularly important for HVDC valve applications, where lower on-resistance directly improves efficiency, reduces conduction losses, and increases thermal headroom in high-current converter systems.
The consortium also includes Electric Power Research Institute, GE Grid Solutions, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, OPAL-RT Technologies, Salt River Project, and Minnesota Power.
The project reflects growing momentum behind solid-state HVDC infrastructure as electricity demand accelerates due to AI data centers, electrification, and renewable energy deployment. Compared with conventional silicon IGBT-based converter submodules, the SiC NPC-PEBB architecture promises higher voltage capability, full DC fault blocking, smaller capacitor requirements, and improved efficiency and power density.
Original – NoMIS Power