The future of electronic power processing and conversion

At a workshop held on the Aeolian Islands in Sicily during May 2004 a group of academic and industry engineers from all over the world discussed the medium- and long-term future of power electronics and its applications in specific areas. The following main issues were identified and discussed. The demand is not for power electronic solutions but for system integration of electronic power processing. A more multidisciplinary approach is needed. We will witness a proliferation of energy storage in systems. The technology is in place and the improvement in system performance makes it worthwhile. A large penetration of power electronics into power systems will happen within the next 25-30 years. The main transmission grid will not be affected. The power electronics development will be in distributed generation and in the loads. The success of the integrated starter/generator (ISG), hybrid, or electric cars depends on political decisions more than on technological advances. However, the success of a recent Japanese hybrid car and the cost of oil could trigger the critical momentum for large-scale use of power electronics in automotive applications. We are moving toward standardized power supply building blocks for computers and other applications. The main push is for lower cost, and production technology becomes the important issue. Demands for improved performance in a diversity of applications will stimulate R&D in power electronics in the future. Intelligent control and energy management will come easily. Thermal and passive component integration is equally important and will require attention.