This episode explores the critical importance of film capacitors and aluminium electrolytic capacitors in current and future power electronic applications. Thomas Ebel highlights that innovations in the dielectric materials of metallized film capacitors, using nanotechnology and copolymers, will significantly improve power density. He also delves into advancements in polymer electrolytes and novel anodization processes, which promise to revolutionize the performance of polymer aluminium electrolytic capacitors.

More information can be found here: https://portal.findresearcher.sdu.dk/en/persons/ebel

This episode discusses special features, advantages and requirements of the new multilevel inverter technology compared to classical DC/AC converters. Nina Sorokina and Wolfgang Bliemetsrieder shed light on safety issues in the development of multilevel systems on the software side and the component selection for the hardware. In addition, they talk about the current state of the industry and the market for electronic airplanes.

More information can be found here: https://www.unibw.de/elapsed

Links to research results:

This episode discusses the efforts that need to be made to bring GaN power modules to market and the opportunities that new chip and packaging technologies offer. Dominik Koch confirms that GaN semiconductors can deliver better performance in various applications and performance classes. Last but not least, the characterization of GaN using calorimetric measurements and double pulse testing will be addressed, with both agreeing that this combination improves the accuracy of virtual prototyping and digital twins.

More information can be found here: https://www.ilh.uni-stuttgart.de/en/research/pe/

In the race to improve efficiency, the range of measurements for today's power electronics all need accuracy and reliability, starting from the shunt design, all the way to the data acquisition. Even in a world that is often driven by software developments, no measurement can be better than the measurement hardware.

In the Episode 10 of the PCIM Podcast, Jörg Latzel, Sales Manager at Yokogawa Germany, talks about the relevance of different measurement types for different test challenges, the attention to detail that ensures accuracy, and the importance of understanding the needs of real applications.

More information can be found here: www.tmi.yokogawa.com/de

Due to the future integration of GW electrolysis parks into the electricity grid, it is expected that these power-electronically coupled loads will be subject to stricter grid connection guidelines and will have to make an active contribution to system stability in the electricity grid. This requires a gradual further development of rectifier technology and its functionalities.

In episode 9 of "Sound on. Power on.", Prof. Dr. Marco Jung provides an insightful overview of the current status and challenges of power electronics in hydrogen mass production, while also offering a glimpse into the future.

In episode 8 of "Sound On. Power On.", Frank Osterwald talks about how research, industry, and society, and projects are effectively coordinated by the Society for Energy and Climate Protection Schleswig‐Holstein (also known by its German acronym as the EKSH).

From research into materials and components such as wide bandgap semiconductors, to how island microgrids show a way forward for the smart grids of the future.

Frank Osterwald also investigates how - with almost twice as much renewable generation capacity as can be used locally - green hydrogen is opening opportunities for energy storage, industrial applications, and transport, as well as cross-sector coupling to use the "waste" warmth from electrolysis for district heating.

More information can be found at the EKSH website and LinkedIn-Profile, as well as in this German-language report (MDVC-Opt).

To meet the needs of E-Mobility developers and testers, today's high-power, power supplies and loads have to be programmable and able to simulate different scenarios, as well as to provide measurement data to not just test, but also validate and qualify batteries and fuel cells.

If we view this also in the context of time-to-market (and total cost of ownership), the right (bi-directional) power supply can play a role by being scalable not just in power, but also in interaction: that is, reusing tests and programming effort while transitioning from development to prototypes, and from prototypes to production.

At the end of the life cycle, after being used in E-Mobility, degraded batteries may have a second life in domestic or grid-coupled storage – but they need to be thoroughly qualified. Bi-directional power supplies can help, again, in achieving this – or in deep discharging batteries and fuel cells for recycling.

In episode 7 of "Sound On. Power On.", Michael Himmels, Head of Product Management at EA Elektro-Automatik, talks about the role of power supplies, and how they continue to rise to emerging challenges.

More information on EA Elektro-Automatik can be found here.

The design and deployment of power converters are essential for the efficiency and smooth operation of modern smart grids.

In episode 6 of the "Sound On. Power on.", Prof. Dr.-Ing. Marco Liserre, Kiel University and the new host David Hegarty talk about the role of power converters in so many parts of the modern grid.

Widespread use means efficiency makes a huge difference. Modular topologies can be tweaked to push this efficiency and reduce the effects of passive components. Central to this achieving this potential is the use of digital twins, and power-hardware-in-the-loop to enable the synergetic design and prototyping of effective modulation and control – which apart from boosting efficiencies can also improve the handling of faults at the component and system levels.

While this has long been obvious for wind and photovoltaic generation, the spread of charging stations has also created new infrastructure challenges, where smart power converters can play an essential role in grid-forming and -management, contributing to the stability of the whole system.

More information can be found in the following:

Magnetic materials have a special role to play in opening the bottlenecks in achieving higher power densities, higher frequencies, and smaller and lighter components for electrical power supply systems.

This involves exploring new materials, new ways of combining materials, and new form factors. The results can stretch the specifications - such as frequencies up to the 10s of MHz - and reduce the challenges of cooling requirements, and skin and proximity effects, as well as the handling of resonant frequencies and the variety of fluxes in multifrequency components.

Listen to the fascinating conversation between Prof. Marco Jung and Prof. Peter Zacharias, Head of the Department for Electrical Power Supply Systems at Kassel University, in episode 5 of the"Sound On. Power On." podcast.

The efficiency of switch-mode power supplies impacts energy use, from the consumption of the smart-phones in our pockets, to the photovoltaics powering our grids. Pushing that efficiency beyond today's 98% has an important role to play in fighting climate change - and energy costs. While the last 40 years have brought many advances in semiconductors, there is an increasing need for investment to improve the capabilities and properties of magnetic materials too.

Prof. Marco Jung talks to Dr. Peter Wallmeier, Senior Director R&D at Delta Energy Systems, about the issues in episode 4 of the"Sound On. Power On." podcast.

They also discuss the important opportunity presented by the combination of reactive loading, renewable power sources and storage in alleviating the voltage and frequency deviations that result from the increasing stresses on our modern, complex and interconnected power grids.

More about PCIM Europe: https://pcim-europe.com