High-Frequency Transformer Design with Hollow Core for Solid State Transformer

Abstract

Solid-state transformer (SST) is one of the new technologies that has kept pace with the development of renewable energy sources such as the solar energy and wind turbines. The SST consists of a high-frequency (HF) transformer and power electronic converter at both ends of the HF transformer. Despite the high efficiency of the traditional transformers, is they are quite large in size and also very heavy. In order to reduce the size and weight of the transformers, SST is used as an alternative for the conventional transformer which also brings along other advantages. The type of core material, the type of wire used, and the method of winding the coils on the HF transformer core affects the core losses, copper losses, the cost, efficiency, and power density of the HF transformer. In this paper a new method has been proposed to form the core of the HF transformer used in SST where a hollow core is used, thus reducing the size and weight of the HF transformer along with the reduction in the core loss. The proposed core is designed using ANSYS Maxwell 3D software in addition to calculating the inductance matrix and the coupling coefficient. Finally, the proposed model of a high-frequency transformer was simulated using MATLAB Simulink software.