https://www.nedo.go.jp/news/press/AA5_101841.html

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has developed an intelligent power module that can significantly reduce the power consumption of the inverter circuit that drives the compressor of an air conditioner. This improvement was achieved by installing a high-performance SiC (silicon carbide) power semiconductor chip, which can contribute to more efficient operation of the air conditioner, in addition to the conventional Si (silicon) power semiconductor chip, in the power module for the first time in the industry, and optimizing the drive circuit design of the power semiconductor chip.

Calculations based on the operating conditions of air conditioners estimated from the operating characteristics of a prototype of this newly developed IPM confirmed that annual power consumption can be reduced by 41% compared to the compressor drive inverter circuit section of a conventional IPM equipped with only Si power semiconductor chips. The external dimensions of the newly developed IPM are the same as those of conventional Si power semiconductor chip-equipped products, making it easy to replace it with existing boards equipped with conventional IPMs.

As a result of this achievement, Mitsubishi Electric received the NEDO Energy Saving Technology Development Award*5 Chairman’s Award in fiscal 2024, which recognizes businesses that have achieved outstanding results in energy conservation.