INTRODUCTION

STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

This BCC report provides a comprehensive examination of the market for power electronics (PE) technologies, an "enabling infrastructure technology." This, because it is concerned with the efficient and precise control of electrical power by flowing it through silicon devices under microelectronic circuit control. PE devices are at the heart of many modern industrial and consumer end-use applications. They represent more than $21 billion per year in direct sales, with an estimated $570 billion of sales of other products by directly enabled power electronics.

Low-power transistors and, later, integrated circuits brought about the modern computer age, often termed the "first electronics revolution." A second revolution though, one that is the focus of this report, is now clearly in view. This is the revolution brought about by development of high-power semiconductor assemblies. These solid-state electronics, analogous to integrated circuits but operating at multimegawatt power levels, can convert electricity to a wide range of voltages, numbers of phases, and frequencies with minimal electrical losses and component wear. They enable control and tuning of all power circuits for maximum performance and cost-effectiveness, promising enhanced energy efficiency for the U.S. economy and flexible valued-added service offerings for electricity providers.

MATERIALS RESEARCH IS A KEY MARKET DRIVER

About four decades ago, it was the invention of thyristors, also known as silicon controlled rectifiers, that led to the emergence of power electronics applications and markets. Only now is the power electronics market really coming into its own as a hot growth prospect.

Future developments will be even more spectacular than those to date, although much of the research described in this report has clearly laid the groundwork. Applications of power electronics are still expanding in industry and, hence, even the term "power electronics" will have a much broader meaning in the 21^st century than it does at present. Previously, for example, materials limitations and device cost restricted the use of power electronics in utility transmission and distribution grids. However, advances in power semiconductors are resulting in technologies operational at the high voltages and power levels of utility systems. The physical characteristics of silicon, today's typical semiconductor material, necessitate complex, bulky, and costly assemblies to handle high-power flows. For example, to block 15 kV on a typical distribution line, five or six gate turnoff thyristors must be stacked in series.

Now, innovative silicon concepts and newly identified nonsilicon materials, including silicon carbide (SiC), diamond, and Group III nitrides, have led to new types of electronic devices that operate at much higher voltages and switching frequencies. The result is high-power systems with lower cost, greater reliability, and reduced size, weight, and cooling needs. Because these advanced systems hold potential for electricity providers to increase asset use, cut capital and O&M costs, and create new business opportunities, interest is strong. And for manufacturers, analysis suggests a market for high-power electronics worth billions over the next decade. Some key study goals in the report are solid-state inverters, electric vehicles, FACTS, thyristors, and IGBTs.

By increasing AC/DC conversion efficiency, advanced interconnection technologies also widen practical applications for fuel cells, photovoltaics, wind power, batteries, superconducting magnetic energy storage, adjustable speed drives, and power supplies. For example, improved drives and controls are essential for electric and hybrid vehicles to achieve the cost-performance level of today's autos with minimal environmental impact. Research in these areas is being conducted at a high level in collaboration with the U.S. government’s "Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles."

In the area of utility transmission and distribution, power electronic flexible AC transmission (FACTS) devices allow transmission grids to be operated with the flexibility that has become characteristic of low-power integrated circuits, thus increasing asset use by electricity providers. The capacity of existing lines can be doubled while improving system controllability and power quality. These low-maintenance, fast-switching technologies enhance distribution system performance, all but eliminate disturbances and outages, and enable value-added premium power services.

This report provides an up-to-date analysis of the pertinent technical and economic forces affecting the rate of market penetration of various power electronic-related devices and consulting services. The report provides market forecasts for each of the separate markets and technologies involved. Important statistical and analytical information is provided for markets, applications, industry structure and dynamics, major players, and technology developments.
 
 

CONTRIBUTION OF THE STUDY

This guide to power electronics markets is designed to benefit those companies already involved in the business either as end users of equipment or manufacturer/service providers as well as energy services companies, utility companies, and even burgeoning power marketer industry participants. This study highlights trends in PE product output, technical use in commercial products, and R&D. It also identifies current players and their major products and contributions within the context of the entire market. Specifically, the present and future markets for PE devices in the residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation sectors of the economy are evaluated.

METHODOLOGY

Market forecasts and historical data are presented for the PE devices discussed in this report for the seven-year period, 1998 to 2005. The study contains forecasts of PE product sales by major category, such as IGBTs, thyristors, ultracapacitors, solid-state inverters, and FACTS T&D applications.

INFORMATION SOURCES

Information for this report has evolved from a wide variety of sources, including interaction with companies active within the industry. Information gathered from telephone interviews and a comprehensive review of all the technical, patent and business literature available make this technical/marketing report unique in its global perspective of the PE industry and, hence, valuable to individuals in industry, government, academia, and R&D.

Sources include the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), various private corporations, American National Standards Institute (ANSI), American Public Power Association, Edison Electric Institute, Electrical Generating Systems Association, Electronic Industries Association (EIA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Inc. (IEEE), International Association of Electrical Inspectors, International Electrotechnical Commission, National Association of Electrical Distributors, National Association of Power Engineers, Inc., National Electrical Manufacturers Association, National Fire Protection Association, North American Electric Reliability Council, Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., as well as hundreds of business, trade, and technical journals and newsletters.

DISCLAIMER

The author and BCC assume no liability for the information, conclusions, or projections reported herein, or for their use. The developed information is intended to be as accurate as possible and of a professional nature. The author assumes no liability for any loss or damage as a result of any reliance on any of the material or any information presented. The information was as accurate as possible at press time. However, due to the rapidly changing nature of the business, information may become outdated.

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