Applications of Power Electronics

Power Electronics has penetrated almost all fields. This trend is always ever-increasing, especially with the present trends and tools of new devices and integrated designs of power semiconductor devices and controllers. The study of Power electronics involves the processing of electric power for various uses and also provides a wide range of applications ranging from a few watts to megawatts. The ease of manufacturing has also led to the availability of these devices in a vast range of ratings and gradually has appeared in high voltage.

The day is not far when all of the electrical energy in the world will pass through power electronics systems. Power electronics components and systems allow stakeholders to develop more energy-efficient power electronic systems that make important contributions to reducing global energy consumption and emissions. Every day average of 15 billion kilowatts per hour of power which is more than 85 % of power generated is converted or processed by some other power electronic appliances.

What is Power Electronics?

It comes under the category of electrical engineering which deals with the operations of high voltages (V) and currents (I) to deliver power (P = V . I ) which supports a variety of global needs. Precise control and efficiency are the main important characteristics of power electronics applications. The study of Power electronics is multidisciplinary and involves semiconductors, control systems, electromagnetic devices, electrical motors, and so on.

Applications of Power Electronics

The applications of Power electronics range from household electronics to space applications in which these areas all need reliable and continuous electrical power with desired specifications the main thing here to note is Power supply by using power semiconductor that switches and control any mechanisms to any other form by supplying a controlled power it falls under the law of conservation of energy.

• E-mobility: It is one of the fastest-growing technologies used in fast-charging stations and vehicles at the interface between the battery and the motor. Today vehicle power electronics uses silicon-based semiconductors which contains a maximum of wide band gap semiconductor used to withstand high amount of temperature it can decrease the system cost by decreasing the requirement for complex thermal management systems and it can also regulate the power flow of vehicle.
• Transformers: In transformers,there are two types such as step-up transformer and step-down transformer which consists of voltage levels in power electronic circuits. They act as energy storage systems. The power transformers are the main components of the isolated DC-DC power converters with high voltage gain.
• Inverters: This component in power electronics is used to convert DC power to AC power and they are used in applications such as AC power supplies, UPS, and so on.
• Industrial control systems: To improve the control of the speed and torque of electric appliances, it regulates the power supply and improves the systems performance for example rolling mills, cement mills, compressors, textile mills, etc.
• Power transmission and its distribution: For to prevent power losses in any areas or parts, Power distribution and transmission are used to regulate voltage levels which improves the system efficiency and operation of overall performance.
• Lightning systems: To regulate the voltage levels, control and manipulating brightness, and manage the proper power supply of the lighting systems and their operations.
• Energy storing factor: When it comes to energy storage devices such as flywheels, batteries ensure efficient and stable power conversion. It has been the most challenging and most complex issue for electrical industries or any other industrial applications. It helps to reduce capital expenditures when used as a resource in any utility sector.
• Renewable source of energy: Power electronics are mainly used in solar panels, wind turbines, and geothermal resources which need power conditioning systems, improve grid integrations and conversions phenomena occur in order to be usable and efficient (user friendly). For example consider solar cells which generate DC power, to obtain AC power here we use power electronic converter is used.
• Electronic gadgets: Well if we just look around ourselves we will be surrounded with PCs, mobile phones, regulators, AC, vacuum cleaners, etc ., which are considered as one of the power electronics applications.
• Military and Airspace: These areas have been undergoing rigorous research for decades for example power drive controls, landing gear and defensive aids systems (DAS) systems, flight communications and control, avionics, signal systems processing for military radars use processing power electronics which helps to reduce heat and improve the performance and efficiency.

For good performance and size requirements in aircraft and defense advanced semiconductors such as (SiC) silicon carbide are being developed especially for this purpose to meet those requirements.

Despite these applications, power electronics has proven to be a critical technology in many areas, and efforts are ongoing to overcome and address these challenges to improve the performance, efficiency, and reliability of power electronics components and systems.

In the Future, Power electronics is expected to be driven by the growth of renewable energy, the development of smart grid technologies the main thing here is the integration of Artificial intelligence and machine learning will impact many things and play a significant role and by making them more accessible and cost-effective. In summary, power electronics play a crucial role in all aspects.

Conclusion

Well in this article we have gone through power electronics which is a combination of power circuits mixed with the low-level of signal electronic circuits to meet those ever fluctuating electric power demands. From a simple regulator in your home to the traction type circuits in various industries, we can able to find a wide range of applications of power electronics in every field. With some current trends in renewable energy. power electronics is not only the present but also the future of electrical and electronics engineering across the globe.

FAQs on Applications of Power Electronics

Q.1: Give some examples of Power electronics.

Answer:

• Inverters.
• Transformers.
• Power semiconductors.
• Inductors and Capacitors.

Q.2: What is a Power diode?

Answer:

It is an diode consists of two terminals which is anode and cathode and consist of two layers P and N, and is used in Power electronics circuit. It performs an crucial function and it can be utilized as a rectifier in converted circuits, voltage regulation circuit, etc.

Q.3: What type of power electronics devices are used in E-vehicles?

Answer:

Power electronic components includes such as Inverters, DC/DC converters, and chargers.

Q.4: What are the three major components of electrical power systems?

Answer:

1. Generation unit.
2. Transmission unit.
3. Distribution unit.