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ZeroAvia’s initial test results for their 200kW SiC electric aviation inverter

February 04, 2024

ZeroAvia, a company specializing in zero-emission aviation, has announced the successful completion of its initial testing campaign for its 200kW continuous power inverter design.

The inverter has been operating at 230 kW from 800 Volts of direct current (Vdc), with a power density of over 20 kW/kg.

Over the past two years, ZeroAvia has developed its silicon carbide inverters, incorporating several innovations in semiconductor module designs, gate driver designs, phase circuit modularity, and manufacturability. The company has also integrated advanced thermal management technologies to ensure reliable high performance at altitude and successful engine compartment location. The inverters have been developed in single (225kw peak / 200kw continuous) and dual (450kw peak / 400kw continuous) configurations.

ZeroAvia’s core inverter technology will be used across all engine sizes, starting with the 600kW ZA600 engine for 9-19 seat aircraft. It will later be integrated into the HyperCore motor, a modular 900kW electric motor designed to be stacked in series in ZA2000, the company’s engine variant for 40-80 seat regional turboprops.

With ZA600 certification efforts underway in the US and UK, this validation of a key engine component is a significant milestone for ZeroAvia. The company plans to complete certification by the end of 2025. The ZeroAvia inverter represents a significant improvement in specific power performance for power electronics devices.