onsemi and Sungrow Target 99.3% Efficiency in Utility-Scale BESS

onsemi and Sungrow are advancing utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) performance by integrating onsemi’s EliteSiC hybrid power module technology into Sungrow’s PowerTitan 3.0 energy storage platform. The solution targets high-power DC-AC conversion in grid-scale storage installations, improving inverter efficiency, increasing power density, and reducing energy losses as electricity demand grows with AI infrastructure, renewable energy deployment, and electrification.

The PowerTitan 3.0 platform incorporates onsemi’s high-density power integrated modules (PIMs), designed for advanced three-level inverter architectures. The SiC hybrid technology combines silicon carbide and silicon power devices to optimize power conversion performance, thermal characteristics, and system economics in high-power applications.

Compared with the previous-generation platform, the new architecture improves inverter-level efficiency by 0.4 percentage points, according to onsemi. It supports power conversion units rated up to 450 kW, enabling higher-power storage deployments while maintaining high conversion efficiency. Peak efficiency exceeds 99.3%, helping minimize losses when converting battery DC power to AC power for grid delivery.

The efficiency improvement is particularly significant in utility-scale installations, where small reductions in conversion losses can produce substantial cumulative energy savings. According to onsemi’s analysis, a 0.4% efficiency improvement could save more than 475 MWh annually in a 100 MW battery energy storage installation compared with the previous-generation module. These savings can increase the amount of energy available for delivery, reduce operating costs, and improve the overall economics of storage assets.

Beyond efficiency, the hybrid SiC architecture provides increased power density and improved thermal performance. These characteristics support high-power operation and enhanced overload capability, helping energy storage systems manage demanding operating conditions while maintaining reliability. Higher power density can also enable more compact system designs or greater conversion capacity within a given installation footprint.

The adoption follows an established strategic relationship between onsemi and Sungrow. The companies collaborated on platform development, system optimization, engineering validation, and qualification to meet the performance requirements of next-generation energy storage applications.

The technology addresses the growing need for efficient energy storage infrastructure as utilities balance rising electricity consumption with increased renewable generation. Higher-power and higher-voltage architectures, combined with improved conversion efficiency, can help operators maximize usable energy, reduce system losses, and improve the economics of grid-scale battery storage deployments.

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