Power Electronics, a Key Technology for future more electrical energy systems

Today's energy systems are getting more electrical, as the growth of electrical energy demand is double the amount of primary energy growth in the next decades. Power Electronics will play a key role in this paradigm to more electrical energy systems with regards to the integration of the fast growing renewable energy sources, enabling higher energy efficiency in multiple applications including transportation and in supporting the limited AC grid infrastructure. With regards to energy efficiency we need to focus on efficient bulk power generation including the mandatory use of waste heat for district heating or process industries. In industrial processes efficiency improvements can be achieved with a major focus on pump and fan applications. With regards to transportation up to 30-50% fuel / energy consumption reduction can be achieved with the DC-link based power system to enable efficient hybrid and in the longer term pure electrical solutions in transportation. Renewables (Wind, Solar, ..) are important future contributors and solar power (photovoltaic or thermal) needs to be taken serious. They may develop much faster than expected. The integration of local and distant renewables sources can be efficiently done by means of power electronics over distances up to 3000 km.