NoMIS Joins ARPA-E Project on High-Voltage SiC HVDC

Why It Matters

The project accelerates deployment of SiC‑based HVDC converters, boosting grid capacity and efficiency for emerging loads like data centers and offshore wind. Successful NPC‑PEBB modules could set a new industry standard, expanding U.S. transmission infrastructure and creating a market for high‑voltage SiC components.

Key Takeaways

• NoMIS joins $2.5 M ARPA‑E HVDC research consortium
• Project targets 6.6 kV/2.5 kA SiC NPC submodules
• 25 mΩ 3.3 kV MOSFET reduces losses, boosts efficiency
• NoMIS leads SiC device packaging and performance testing
• SiC modules promise smaller capacitors and higher power density

Pulse Analysis

The U.S. Department of Energy’s ARPA‑E DC‑GRIDS program is tackling a critical bottleneck in modern power systems: the need for high‑voltage, high‑efficiency converters that can move large amounts of electricity over long distances. Multi‑port, multi‑terminal HVDC (MT‑HVDC) architectures are essential for linking offshore wind farms, inter‑regional grids, and massive data‑center campuses. By funding a $2.5 million, three‑year research effort, ARPA‑E hopes to demonstrate SiC‑based NPC‑PEBB submodules that deliver higher voltage levels, fault‑blocking capability, and a 60 % reduction in capacitor size compared with legacy IGBT designs.

At the heart of the initiative is NoMIS Power’s 3.3 kV SiC MOSFET family, which includes 80 mΩ, 50 mΩ, and the soon‑to‑be‑released 25 mΩ devices. The ultra‑low on‑resistance of the 25 mΩ MOSFET translates directly into lower conduction losses, allowing converters to operate at higher efficiency and with greater thermal headroom at the 2.5 kA valve currents required for MT‑HVDC. NoMIS will manage device‑level packaging, electrical screening, and performance characterization, ensuring that the NPC‑PEBB submodules meet the stringent reliability standards demanded by utility‑scale projects.

If the consortium succeeds, the ripple effects could reshape the U.S. power landscape. Utilities such as Salt River Project and Minnesota Power stand to gain transmission capacity needed for the rapid electrification of industry and the integration of offshore wind resources. Meanwhile, data‑center operators will benefit from more compact, higher‑density power converters that reduce footprint and operating costs. By making its 3.3 kV SiC components available to other DC‑GRIDS teams and global developers, NoMIS positions itself as a key supplier in the emerging SiC‑HVDC market, accelerating the transition away from legacy IGBT platforms toward next‑generation, grid‑resilient infrastructure.