NC State demonstrates megawatt-class solid-state transformer

North Carolina State University, in collaboration with the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and EPRI, has successfully demonstrated a megawatt-class solid-state transformer (SST) capable of handling up to 1 MW of power. This marks the first independently verified SST validated on a live utility distribution feeder.

Unlike conventional transformers that rely on manual assembly and designs dating back to the 1880s, SSTs utilize high-frequency semiconductor switching. This technology allows for mass manufacturing using materials like silicon carbide, offering a more scalable solution to the current shortage of custom-built industrial transformers.

Key advantages of the SST include higher efficiency and a smaller physical footprint. While conventional transformer-and-rectifier systems typically lose about 4% of power as heat, the SST can reduce these losses to approximately 2%. This increased efficiency and compact size make the technology particularly suitable for high-demand environments such as AI data centers and urban areas where space is limited.