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Google Challenge Results In Astoundingly Efficient Inverters
AmiMoJo writes: A few summers ago, Google and IEEE announced a one million dollar prize to build the most efficient and compact DC to AC inverter. It was called the Little Box Challenge, with the goal of a 2kW inverter with a power density greater than 50 Watts per cubic inch. Typical solar inverters have a density of about 5 W/cubic inch. Now the results are in, with the winners hitting 143 W/cubic inch using GaN transistors, and two other teams meeting Google's goal.
If you had read the challenge when it was proposed (or went to read the rules), the efficiency was required to be > 95%
. Produce a DCAC conversion efficiency of > 95%
From https://www.littleboxchallenge...
From the website https://www.littleboxchallenge.com/:
In brief, the other specifications are :
* Must be able to handle up to 2 kVA loads
* Must achieve a power density of equal to or greater than 50 W/in3
* Must be able to handle loads with power factors from 0.7–1, leading and lagging in an islanded mode
* Must be in a rectangular metal enclosure of no more than 40 in3
* Will be taking in 450 V DC power in series with a 10 O resistor
* Must output 240 V, 60 Hz AC single phase power
* Must have a total harmonic distortion + noise on both voltage and current of 5%
* Must have an input ripple current of 20%
* Must have an input ripple voltage of 3%
* Must have a DC-AC efficiency of greater than 95%
* Must maintain a temperature of no more than 60C during operation everywhere on the outside of the device that can be touched.
* Must conform to Electromagnetic Compliance standards as set out in FCC Part 15 B
* Can not use any external source of cooling (e.g. water) other than air
* Does not require galvanic isolation