Super-HEART targets the development of a high availability power converter for multi-source integration, for applications that are critical and have high downtime-costs. The project is based on the results of the HEART and U-HEART projects conducted by the Chair of Power Electrics of Kiel University, combined with developments towards high power and high density super-capacitors, from the Functional Nanomaterial Chair (Prof. Adelung) of Kiel University and Trinity College Dublin (Prof. Nicolosi). The project is supported by Fraunhofer ISIT.[read more].

Power electronics (PE) is spreading through society, including in mission critical applications. However, power electronic devices are prone to failure, and high availability is usually ensured using redundancy – which is an expensive and bulky paradigm. In the meantime, PE allows hybrid (AC & DC) electric distribution, which is key to integration of renewable energy sources and storage, such as solar power and use of hydrogen as an energy vector. However, power sources like fuel cells have limited dynamics and the network can carry disturbances, which can affect the loads.
With Super-HEART, we will build an energy hub connecting power sources and load, and being able to deliver clean uninterrupted power in the 100 kW-range. To this end, we will develop a multi-port modular converter with fault ride-through capability and minimum redundancy. This will be ensured using fault-tolerance strategies already demonstrated in the ERC Proof of Concept Project U-HEART, protected by a patent [1], improved by the integration of super-capacitors to allow using reliable and low-cost mechanical switches to isolate the faulty parts. Super-HEART will use super-capacitors also for compensating disturbances and the low dynamics of hydrogen-based storage. However, commercial super-capacitors have power and energy densities too low to be practically considered here. Therefore, high performance and environment friendly super-capacitors previously developed by project partners will be further optimised in the frame of Super-HEART and embedded in the converter by optimal multiphysics codesign. 
Ultimately, a fully integrated power converter with embedded super-capacitors with availability, power density, cost, and losses, 20% better than state-of-the-art will have been developed, with reduced environmental impact. It will be ready for qualification and have undergone field tests. Potential clients and partners for the development and distribution will have been found.