Renewable energy is essential for achieving an All Electric Society, facilitating the critical transition from fossil fuels to sustainable sources.
Modern homes use solar panels, heat pumps, and battery energy storage systems. Passenger and cargo transportation are witnessing the growing adoption of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. Industry employs increasingly electric machinery and equipment, advanced energy storing systems and smart grids. At the heart of these advancements are efficient power semiconductors.
The Role of Semiconductors
Semiconductors are critical in the conversion, storage, and management of renewable energy. They improve the efficiency, reliability, and performance of renewable energy systems, minimise energy losses, and enable precise control over electrical currents and voltages within various system components. Moreover, new wide-bandgap semiconductor materials, such as silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN), offer superior performance compared to traditional silicon-based semiconductors, operating at higher temperatures, voltages, and frequencies.
1 Including UK; TWh – Terawatt hours; WBG – Wide-bandgap material; 2 Reference: gas and steampower plant from Kraftwerke Mainz-Wiesbaden (above-average capacity of 2.2 billion kilowatt-hours per year; annual report 2020); Source: PECTA – 2020; Agora – The European Power Sector in 2020; IHS; Borderstep Institute 2015; EEA
Important Semiconductor Types
Nexperia, as a leading manufacturer of essential semiconductors (MOSFETs, small-signal discretes, ESD protection and logic ICs), continues to expand its power portfolio at the forefront of renewable energy technology:
- IGBTs are the current standard in renewable energy systems due to their high efficiency, fast switching capabilities, and cost competitiveness. They play a crucial role in inverters for solar panels and wind turbines, converting direct current (DC) generated by these sources into alternating current (AC) suitable for grid use.
- GaN and SiC devices are operating at higher temperatures, voltages and frequencies. This makes them ideal for high-power applications, such as EV Charging stations and industrial energy systems. Their high efficiency reduces energy losses and enhances the overall performance of renewable energy systems. Although today mainly used in automotive applications such as traction inverters or the vehicle’s on-board charger (OBC), the technology is maturing and finding its way into industrial applications.
- MOSFETs are essential in power management and control systems. They are used in solar inverters, EV chargers, and energy storage systems to regulate the flow of electricity, ensuring efficient and stable operation. Their ability to handle high currents and voltages makes them indispensable in renewable energy applications.
- Diodes and transistors are essential for the rectification and amplification of electrical signals. Diodes are used in solar panels to prevent backflow of current, while transistors are used in power conversion and control circuits. Their reliability and efficiency are vital for the smooth operation of renewable energy systems.
- Power management ICs (integrated circuits) play a key role in monitoring, control, and communication within renewable energy systems. Analog ICs are used for signal processing and conditioning, while logic ICs handle digital control and communication tasks. These ICs ensure precise control and coordination of various components within renewable energy systems, enhancing their efficiency and reliability.
- Energy harvesting involves dedicated power management ICs (PMICs) to efficiently convert energy collected from ambient sources, such as light captured by photovoltaic cells into a rechargeable battery. They enable the development of self-powered and environmentally friendly electronic devices, helping mitigate the environmental impact of billions of batteries discarded each year.
Nexperia, a global semiconductor leader based in the Netherlands, employs over 14,000 people across Europe, Asia, and the US. Shipping 100B+ products annually, Nexperia drives innovation in automotive, industrial, and consumer electronics, and aims for carbon neutrality by 2035.