Power conversion system

Power conversion systems (PCS) are intermediary devices between the storage element, such as large banks of (DC) batteries, and the (AC) power grid

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Overview

At the heart of every successful Energy Storage System (ESS) lies the Power Conversion System (PCS). Acting as the vital link between large DC battery banks and the AC grid, the PCS manages bidirectional power flow, converts energy efficiently, and ensures seamless integration with grid requirements. Its role is essential for maintaining stability, optimizing performance, and enabling advanced functionalities like grid-forming capabilities.

Benefits

  • Full Coverage: 1000–2000 V+ DC Link
  • Flexible Topologies: 100–400 kW, 1 MW+
  • Optimized Packaging: Air & Liquid
  • CoolSiC™ Advantage: 50% Loss Cut
  • High Performance: Diode & Overload
  • Robust & Reliable: .XT Tech, 175°C
  • Best-in-Class SiC: CoolSiC™ Trench

Block diagram

About

Power Conversion Systems (PCS) in Battery Energy Storage Solutions

Power Conversion Systems (PCS) are the critical interface between battery energy storage systems (BESS) and the electrical grid. They manage the bidirectional flow of energy, converting alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) to charge batteries, and vice versa, enabling stored energy to be fed back into the grid when needed. This conversion process ensures efficient energy management, grid stability, and optimal battery performance.

Infineon’s semiconductor solutions empower PCS designs with high efficiency, improved power density, and reliability. Whether you're developing residential, commercial, or utility-scale energy storage systems, Infineon provides the building blocks for scalable and future-proof systems

Depending on deployment, systems are categorized as Behind-the-Meter (BTM), focusing on consumer-side use like self-consumption and backup, or Front-of-the-Meter (FTM), serving grid-level needs such as frequency regulation and energy shifting—each with distinct design and performance requirements.

Explore the block diagram and detailed content on this page to discover how Infineon supports your ESS design goals. 

BTM Power Conversion Systems and Offering
  • PCS topologies <10 kW: Infineon portfolio support full residential system solutions with the highest efficiency and power density. More information and recommendations.
  • PCS topologies 10 kW to 125 kW: Are often connected directly with PV and therefore use a hybrid inverter approach. More information and recommendations.
  • PCS topologies for Commercial & Industrial BESS: C&I BESS are usually 1000 V DC and 380 V to 415 V 3ph AC. The PCS system is a bidirectional inverter. PCS with 100kW+ are generally not hybrid (no direct DC input from solar). Popular PCS sizes in C&I application  range from 20kW up to 250kW. Infineon’s recommend power products range from IGBT discretes to SiC discretes and modules. For 2lvl and NPC 2 (outer switches) are rated 1200-1700V and for NPC 1 & ANPC topologies 950V-1200V. Recommended medium power modules are in the EasyPack and EconoPACK™ family, mainly developed for single module solution design. For increased efficiency and footprint optimization CoolSiC™ Easy modules are recommended. 
FTM Power Conversion Systems and Offering
  • PCS topologies for Utility BESS use 1500 V DC battery systems and 3ph AC up to 690 V, connected to 10–35 kV MV grids via low-frequency transformers. Topologies range from 2-lvl SiC to 3-lvl IGBT to SiC Hybrid with voltage ratings of 2000 V (2-lvl) and 1200 V (3-lvl). Based on modularization and integration, several subtypes are common
  • String PCS 100-430 kW: Each rack in a container connects to a dedicated, often integrated inverter. Single-module IGBT and SiC solutions dominate; power density and efficiency are key due to 20 ft container space limits. Recommended product families are Easy, Econopack, EconoDUAL3, 62mm all available with IGBT and SiC technology.
  • Monolithic Central PCS >1 MW: A single high-power inverter converts AC/DC using single or few paralleled high-current modules (>500 A). Recommended: PrimePACK™ 3+  and/or IHM/IHV modules for 3-lvl; high-performance 2-lvl with XHP™ 2 using CoolSiC™ (2300–3300 V).
  • Modular Central PCS >1 MW: Central inverter built from paralleled submodules (500 kW–1.5 MW). Submodules use paralleled power modules to scale power. Uses medium-power baseplate modules like EconoDUAL3 or 62mm in 2lvl and 3lvl topologies. 
Cascaded Topologies and Offering

Cascaded systems represent innovative approaches to further integrate adjacent systems into BESS. 

  • LV cascaded solutions aim to further modularize the string PCS for power conversion at battery module or cell level. Thus, offering more precise control, increased inverter efficiency and increased battery lifetime mainly in the BTM segment for residential to commercial and even up to smaller utility systems. Typically, a single 60 V module features a H-bridge configuration and is cascaded up to 220-240V per phase. Recommended solutions are ~100 V N-channel power MOSFETs in various standard and performance optimized packages (e.g. SuperSO8)
  • HV cascade solutions aim to remove the LF transformer to directly connect to MV grid and are therefore mainly targeting FTM installations. Depending on the approach modules like Easy C series or EconoDUAL as well as bipolar device can be considered.
System solutions beyond power

For efficient and reliable function of the PCS Infineon offers solutions beyond power:

Power Conversion Systems (PCS) in Battery Energy Storage Solutions

Power Conversion Systems (PCS) are the critical interface between battery energy storage systems (BESS) and the electrical grid. They manage the bidirectional flow of energy, converting alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) to charge batteries, and vice versa, enabling stored energy to be fed back into the grid when needed. This conversion process ensures efficient energy management, grid stability, and optimal battery performance.

Infineon’s semiconductor solutions empower PCS designs with high efficiency, improved power density, and reliability. Whether you're developing residential, commercial, or utility-scale energy storage systems, Infineon provides the building blocks for scalable and future-proof systems

Depending on deployment, systems are categorized as Behind-the-Meter (BTM), focusing on consumer-side use like self-consumption and backup, or Front-of-the-Meter (FTM), serving grid-level needs such as frequency regulation and energy shifting—each with distinct design and performance requirements.

Explore the block diagram and detailed content on this page to discover how Infineon supports your ESS design goals. 

BTM Power Conversion Systems and Offering
  • PCS topologies <10 kW: Infineon portfolio support full residential system solutions with the highest efficiency and power density. More information and recommendations.
  • PCS topologies 10 kW to 125 kW: Are often connected directly with PV and therefore use a hybrid inverter approach. More information and recommendations.
  • PCS topologies for Commercial & Industrial BESS: C&I BESS are usually 1000 V DC and 380 V to 415 V 3ph AC. The PCS system is a bidirectional inverter. PCS with 100kW+ are generally not hybrid (no direct DC input from solar). Popular PCS sizes in C&I application  range from 20kW up to 250kW. Infineon’s recommend power products range from IGBT discretes to SiC discretes and modules. For 2lvl and NPC 2 (outer switches) are rated 1200-1700V and for NPC 1 & ANPC topologies 950V-1200V. Recommended medium power modules are in the EasyPack and EconoPACK™ family, mainly developed for single module solution design. For increased efficiency and footprint optimization CoolSiC™ Easy modules are recommended. 

FTM Power Conversion Systems and Offering
  • PCS topologies for Utility BESS use 1500 V DC battery systems and 3ph AC up to 690 V, connected to 10–35 kV MV grids via low-frequency transformers. Topologies range from 2-lvl SiC to 3-lvl IGBT to SiC Hybrid with voltage ratings of 2000 V (2-lvl) and 1200 V (3-lvl). Based on modularization and integration, several subtypes are common
  • String PCS 100-430 kW: Each rack in a container connects to a dedicated, often integrated inverter. Single-module IGBT and SiC solutions dominate; power density and efficiency are key due to 20 ft container space limits. Recommended product families are Easy, Econopack, EconoDUAL3, 62mm all available with IGBT and SiC technology.
  • Monolithic Central PCS >1 MW: A single high-power inverter converts AC/DC using single or few paralleled high-current modules (>500 A). Recommended: PrimePACK™ 3+  and/or IHM/IHV modules for 3-lvl; high-performance 2-lvl with XHP™ 2 using CoolSiC™ (2300–3300 V).
  • Modular Central PCS >1 MW: Central inverter built from paralleled submodules (500 kW–1.5 MW). Submodules use paralleled power modules to scale power. Uses medium-power baseplate modules like EconoDUAL3 or 62mm in 2lvl and 3lvl topologies. 

Cascaded Topologies and Offering

Cascaded systems represent innovative approaches to further integrate adjacent systems into BESS. 

  • LV cascaded solutions aim to further modularize the string PCS for power conversion at battery module or cell level. Thus, offering more precise control, increased inverter efficiency and increased battery lifetime mainly in the BTM segment for residential to commercial and even up to smaller utility systems. Typically, a single 60 V module features a H-bridge configuration and is cascaded up to 220-240V per phase. Recommended solutions are ~100 V N-channel power MOSFETs in various standard and performance optimized packages (e.g. SuperSO8)
  • HV cascade solutions aim to remove the LF transformer to directly connect to MV grid and are therefore mainly targeting FTM installations. Depending on the approach modules like Easy C series or EconoDUAL as well as bipolar device can be considered.

System solutions beyond power

For efficient and reliable function of the PCS Infineon offers solutions beyond power:

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Partner solutions

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