Breakthrough Power Module Slashes Energy Waste

Global electricity demand is surging due to data centers and manufacturing, pressuring power systems worldwide. NREL's new Ultra-Low Inductance Smart power module, ULIS, offers a promising solution by dramatically improving energy conversion efficiency. This silicon carbide technology achieves five times the energy density and takes up less space, resulting in smaller, lighter, and more energy-efficient equipment ideal for data centers, grids, and advanced vehicles.

The ULIS module significantly reduces parasitic inductance, enabling faster and more efficient switching of electrical current. This translates to extracting more value from existing energy supplies and making next-generation power converters more affordable and compact. Designed for reliability in extreme environments, ULIS can monitor its own condition, anticipating component failures, which is critical for high-risk applications like aviation and military operations.

ULIS features a radical, flat octagonal design that minimizes magnetic interference and simplifies manufacturing, lowering costs to hundreds of dollars per unit. It also utilizes flexible polymer materials for a thinner, lighter structure. This adaptable, modular design is available for licensing and poised to make a significant impact across various sectors, including the U.S. power grid, aviation, and future fusion energy systems.