Efficient solutions for hybrid energy systems

Discover ST solutions in details.

Creating technology for a sustainable world by designing innovative products and solutions that power the world.

The system includes:

• Solar panels
• Solar micro-inverter
• Main inverter & distribution
• EV plug
• EV charger
• Battery charger
• Battery unit
• E-meter

Maximize system efficiency with ST technologies

ST offers thousands of reference designs and evaluation tools, providing system support from silicon to solution with analog and digital expertise.

Key components and functionalities include:

• AC / DC bidirectional converter
• Auxiliary power supply
• Connectivity
• Energy metering
• HMI
• Sensing
• Ref. design

AC / DC bidirectional converter

Components for AC/DC bidirectional converters:

• Power transistors: IGBT (600V-1200V), SiC MOSFET (650V/1200V)
• Signal conditioning: Operational amplifiers, comparators, current sensing amplifiers
• Driving stage: Galvanically isolated gate drivers
• Protections: 400W TVS protection device
• DC/DC: LDOS, ISO-Buck DC/DC
• Control unit: STM32 microcontroller, EEPROM memories
• Isolated I/F and ADC: 6 kV galvanic digital isolator, Delta-Sigma ADC

Auxiliary power supply

Supporting the complete power tree with VIPER family of integrated AC/DC converters (now with GaN), quasi-resonant and resonant converters (L6566/L6599), power factor correction controllers (L4985, L6563/4), PFC + Resonant combo-controllers, DC/DC controllers to 75V (L3751), and 40V Iso-Buck (L6983i).

Components include:

• Power transistors: Low power MOSFET (60V), MOSFET (1500V/1700V)
• Diodes: Ultrafast, Schottky, and FER diodes
• Power conversion: Buck DC-DC converters and controllers
• Controllers: Analog and digital AC/DC controllers, Synch rectification controller, CC/CV controller and references, Integrated AC/DC converters
• Signal conditioning: Operational amplifiers and comparators, Current sensing amplifiers
• Protections: TVS protections (400/600/1500W)
• LDOS: Broad portfolio of LDOS

Connectivity solutions

ST offers solutions for PLC, Wireless MCU, NFC tags & readers, and Transceivers & protections.

• PLC: Power line transceivers and modems, Hybrid PLC Sub-GHz modems
• Wireless MCU: STM32WB / WBA & BlueNRG SoC, STM32WB / WBA Multiprotocol SoC, SubGHz STM32WL SoC, S2-LP transceivers
• NFC tags & reader: Dynamic NFC tags & ESD protections, NFC readers EMVCo support
• Secure element: STSAFE authentication ICs
• Transceivers & protections: CAN transceivers, Filters & protections, RS232 & RS485 interfaces

Features include ST8500 Turnkey G3 and Prime PLC solutions, hybrid PLC / Sub-1 GHz mesh connectivity, Sub-1 GHz long range connectivity, 2.4 GHz mesh connectivity, secure infrastructure, NFC for simplified configuration, and fully supported ecosystems for development.

Metering – HMI – Sensing – Cooling

Solutions for metering, HMI, sensing, and cooling applications.

• Metrology and isolated I/F: Metering ICs up to 4ch, STISO620/1, ISOSD61 isolated digital interface & Delta-Sigma ADC
• Protections: Transil for ESD protection, EMI filters
• LED management: LED array drivers and boost current regulators, LED front panel controller
• Graphics: Advanced touchscreen graphic interfaces
• Motion & temperature: 3-axis vibration sensors and accelerometers, Infrared (IR) sensors, Digital & analog temperature sensors
• Cooling: Integrated motor controllers

Additional features include DSP based metrology ICs, digital isolators to 6kV, LED family of devices for display arrays & backlighting, machine learning capable sensing solutions, TouchGFX framework for advanced HMI development, and STSPIN family for smart fan and motor drives.

Our reference design: 15 kW, three-phase, three-level Active Front End (AFE) bidirectional PFC converter

This reference design offers high efficiency (>98%), high frequency operation (70 kHz), and passive components weight and size reduction. It features high performance with rated nominal voltages of 800 VDC / 400 VAC at 50 Hz, power factor control PF > 0.98 (AC to DC), THD < 5% (AC to DC), active and reactive power control (DC to AC), integrated grid connection solution (DC to AC), and VOUT_RIPPLE of 10 Vpp, IRIPPLE of 2.5 A. The STDES-PFCBIDIR is a key component.

The 3L T-type topology is intrinsically bidirectional with advantages like lower current ripple and lower voltage stress of components, leading to a lower price. However, it has a complex control scheme and higher complexity.

Our reference design: 25 kW, dual active bridge bidirectional power converter for EV charging and battery energy storage systems

This reference design, STDES-DABBIDIR, provides high efficiency (>98%) and high frequency operation (100 kHz). It features a modular approach for high flexibility in system development with AcePack 2 half bridge modules and a DPC (digital power conversion) firmware library architecture. High performance is achieved with an input voltage of 800 V (720-880 V), output voltage of 250-500 V, and output power of 25 kW (28 kW max).

The Dual Active Bridge (DAB) topology utilizes control units, current sensing, and signal conditioning for efficient power flow. It supports various voltage levels (600-1200V) and includes protection circuits.

Our reference design: GaN based solar micro-inverter for high density and efficiency

This custom GAN inverter, EVLMG1LPBRDR1, offers high efficiency (>97%) and high frequency operation (100 kHz). It features a GaN based power stage with integrated gate drivers and STM32 DPC (digital power conversion) firmware library architecture. High performance is demonstrated with a solar input voltage of 12-42 V (36VNom), output voltage of 120 VAC / 230 VAC, and output power of 300 W.

Our reference design: STPMS2, STISO621W and STM32F413RH based three-phase full shunt electricity meter evaluation board

This evaluation board, EVALSTPM-3PHISO, is compliant with EN 50470-x, IEC 62053-2x, and ANSI12.2x standards for AC watt meters. It provides 6 channels of voltage and current decimated samples at 200 µs intervals. The board enables active wideband, fundamental, reactive, and apparent power/energy calculation for each phase and cumulatively. It also features 6 kV galvanic isolation between phases with 8 mm creepage and clearance.

A complete ecosystem for platform development includes evaluation boards, firmware protocol packages, and physical design resources.

Our reference design: Complete hardware, software, and firmware tools for developing powerline and hybrid wireless solutions

This reference design provides certified Turn-key PLC and hybrid wireless solutions with programmable certified protocols (G3, PRIME...). The ST8500 serves as a PLC modem and PLC-RF hybrid protocol processor. The turn-key firmware selects RF Sub-1 GHz link or PLC link based on network quality conditions, utilizing 6LoWPAN and IPv6. A complete ecosystem for platform development includes evaluation boards, firmware protocol packages, application-specific software packages, and physical design resources.

Our reference design: 6 kW high voltage DC-DC converter for HV battery charging

This reference design, STDES-6KWHVDCDC, offers two variants: dual transformer for limited voltage and single transformer for wide output, using the same PCB to accommodate different magnetics. It features a unique patented control scheme for output voltages from 200–1000 V DC with a 12 A maximum limit. The converter operates with a 700-800 V DC input voltage range and achieves peak efficiency of 98% with super-junction silicon MOSFETs. It is a complete ST solution with analog and digital components and a comprehensive safety mechanism.

Our reference design: Battery management IC for 4 to 14 cells. Daisy chain up to 31 L9963E supporting high voltage batteries

This battery management IC evaluation board, EVAL-L9963E-MCU, supports Coulomb counter functionality for pack overcurrent detection and provides fully synchronized current and voltage samples with a 16-bit voltage measurement accuracy of ±2mV. It offers 2.66 Mbps isolated serial communication with a regenerative buffer and dual access ring, transformer-based isolation, and up to 4 analog inputs for NTC sensing plus PCB temperature sensing. The system boasts robust hot plug performance and is full ISO26262 Safety compliant, ASIL-D systems ready.

The system includes accurate I/V/T monitoring via configurable AFE, isolated transceiver for communication between HV/LV domains, a wide array of power management options (PMICs, System Basis Chips, LDOS), and a comprehensive and flexible system solution with a fully supported ecosystem for development.

Phase-Shifted FB (ZVS)

Topology properties include ZVS at the primary side, which is difficult at light loads, and easy synchronization/parallel operation with current sharing. Disadvantages include higher RMS current than FB LLC on primary switches, higher voltage stresses on output rectifiers, no Rectifier ZCS, and the need for an output inductor filter.

Phase-Shifted FB offers fixed frequency, PWM control variability, and low output ripple current with small capacitors.

ST BOM for Phase-Shifted FB includes:

• Power transistors: Si MOSFET (600V/650V/950V/1050V), SiC MOSFET (650V/1200V), Diodes (600V/650V, 1200V)
• Control unit: STM32G4, STM32F334, STM32F0/STM32F1/STM32G0 MCUs, M24XX/M95XX Memories (EEPROM)
• Signal conditioning / Current Sensing: Operational amplifiers, Current sensing amplifier, Comparator, 6 kV Isolated Sigma-Delta ADC
• Driving stage: STGAP2S/STGAP2HS, STGAP2SICS/STGAP2SICSN, STGAP2GS/STGAP2GSN, L69861/L69831, L6491
• Protections: TVS protection devices (SM4TY, SM6FY, SM30T)

E-Meter

The E-meter solutions feature hybrid powerline & Sub-1 GHz modem solutions, connectivity, energy metering, HMI, and sensing. ST has 165 million meters with ST inside, demonstrating leadership in power line communication and 30 years of experience in smart grids.