20 kV Gallium Nitride pn Diode Electro-Magnetic Pulse Arrestor for Grid Reliability

Default ARPA-E Project Image

Program:
OPEN 2018
Award:
$6,456,500
Location:
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Status:
ALUMNI
Project Term:
07/11/2019 - 07/10/2023
Website:

Technology Description:

Sandia National Laboratories will develop a new device to prevent EMP damage to the power grid. The EMP arrestor will be comprised of diodes fabricated from the semiconductor gallium nitride (GaN), capable of responding on the ns timescale required to protect the grid against EMP threats. The diodes will be capable of blocking 20 kilovolts (kV), enabling a single device to protect distribution-level equipment on the grid. The team will focus on the epitaxial crystal growth of GaN layers and device design needed to achieve the 20 kV performance target. Extensive failure analysis and reliability testing will be conducted to ensure device robustness. At the end of the project, a prototype arrestor will be demonstrated to illustrate the feasibility of the technology to protect against catastrophic damage to grid equipment due to EMPs. In addition, the team will create a pilot production line to serve as a model for eventual commercial production.

Potential Impact:

This project will develop EMP devices for the high voltage and current levels required for grid applications.

Security:

The technology will protect the U.S. grid from catastrophic damage due to EMP events.

Environment:

This project could establish the viability of GaN for extreme-voltage applications for the grid and beyond, improving energy efficiency and reducing some of the harmful emissions created by coal-fired power plants.

Economy:

A pilot vertical GaN foundry will lay the foundation for volume manufacturing and decrease the cost of the EMP arrestor and vertical GaN devices generally.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Isik Kizilyalli
Project Contact:
Robert Kaplar
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
rjkapla@sandia.gov

Partners

Sonrisa Research, Inc.
US Naval Research Laboratory
EDYNX
Stanford University

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Release Date:
12/13/2017