.gif)
.gif)
PowerLines by Linnea Brush
The End of Power Supplies? - Page 2
go to page: 1 2
I’ve also noticed that the term “power electronics” is increasingly being used instead of “power supplies.” Nobody is predicting the decline of power electronics, or making the suggestion to get rid of them. Even Darnell Group uses the term, “Smart Grid Electronics Forum” for its conference, since it is more inclusive. Fraunhofer agrees: Fischer says that, “Power electronics is an essential enabler for the smart grid and the change in energy policy.” Will power supplies simply become a sub-set of power electronics (if they’re not already)?
In some ways, these are all moot points. Even as people become disenchanted with power supplies, their focus is usually on existing markets. These markets will always be around, but they are not where future opportunities lie. New markets are opening up every day and are frequently off the radar. Several years ago, “smartphones” as a product category didn’t even exist. Now they are one of the biggest markets for power supply and battery makers. Distributed and co-generation technologies are slowly challenging traditional utility powering models, particularly with the impact of the smart grid.
This doesn’t even take into account “related” powering developments. Batteries may be odious, but I’m seeing more and more battery charging solutions, implying that we simply have to find ways to live with them. Even technologies that are meant to replace batteries (like energy harvesting) accept that batteries can “co-exist” with these newer solutions. Add battery management ICs into the mix, and you have more solutions than problems.
The desire to eliminate power supplies may have some noble intentions, but such extinction is premature and not very realistic. Like many things, power supplies have their ecological niche. Viewed one way, they do not cause problems; they solve them. They are also evolving. “Perfection” is still in the future, and they should not be relegated to the scrap heap just because they haven’t reached that point yet.
I have no doubt that the future dilemma will not be the elimination of power supplies, but understanding just how under-utilized they are. The explosion of new markets is certainly giving them a chance to show that.
More Information on the Web:
Smart Grid Electronics Forum
AC-DC Power Supply Reports
Distributed and Co-Generation Reports
go to page: 1 2
We would like to hear your comments on the topics discussed in this column. We welcome the opportunity to publish opposing opinions. Please email Jeff Shepard at jshepard@darnell.com.
White Papers
March 11, 2013
Power Modules for Charger Applications
Sponsored by Vincotech
February 27, 2013
The Adaptive Cell Converter Topology Enables Constant Efficiency Over Universal Input AC Line in Front-End, High-Density Power Factor Correction Applications
Sponsored by Vicor Corp.
February 27, 2013
From 48 V direct to Intel VR12.0: Saving "Big Data" $500,000 per datacenter, per year
Sponsored by Vicor Corp.
More White Papers
- Altera Acquires Enpirion for $140 Million, Forms Power Business Unit
- Ericsson Saves Board Space with Surface-Mount Digital Bus Converter
- SiC Modules, IGBTs and Super-Junction MOSFETs Introduced on Day One of PCIM
- SiC and GaN Again a Major Focus at PCIM Europe
- PowerbyProxi Joins Wireless Power Consortium
- Vincotech and Infineon Introduce New Packaging Options at PCIM Europe
- Bosch Claims First Sub-$450 240V EV Charging Station
- Eaton and CA Technologies Join to Deliver Infrastructure Management for Data Centers
- DOE Selects Consortium to Develop Next-Generation Batteries for Automobiles
- Dana Receives Grant from NRCan to Improve Thermal Management for EV Battery Packs
- Renesas Adds IGBT Drivers with Micro-Isolator for Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Inverters
- European Project Reports Achievements in Drive to Shape the Future of Power Microelectronics
- Bosch Claims First Sub-$450 240V EV Charging Station
- Vicor Reports Reduced Q1 Results – Anticipates a Brighter Future
- GE Opens $1.5 Million New Product Introduction Accelerator Lab
- Alpha and Omega Delivers "Lowest" On-Resistance in a DFN5x6 with 150V Power MOSFET
- ROHM Claims New Hybrid MOS Combines the Best Characteristics of MOSFETs and IGBTs
- SL Packs 60 Watts of Industrial-Grade AC-DC Power in Small and Robust Package
- 500W Full-Brick DC-DC Converter Optimized for Fuel Cell Applications
- Altera Acquires Enpirion for $140 Million, Forms Power Business Unit
- Green Building Power Forum 2010: Fujitsu Components America
- Darnell's Digital Power Forum 2009: CUI Incorporated
- Green Building Power Forum 2010: EMerge Alliance
- Green Building Power Forum 2010: Anderson Power Products
- Green Building Power Forum 2009: Independence Station
- Darnell's Digital Power Forum 2009: Coilcraft
- Darnell's Digital Power Forum 2009: Champs Technologies
- Darnell's Digital Power Forum 2009: EXAR Corporation
- Darnell's Digital Power Forum 2009: PMBus
- Darnell's Digital Power Forum 2009: Power Plaza
Design Features
October 22, 2012
Energy Efficiency with Class D Amplifier Modules
Class-D switching amplifiers are helping audio designers create personal multimedia devices and home audio/visual systems that demonstrate how compact and stylish equipment can also deliver high sound quality and high audio output power. The key to this breakthrough, providing freedom from the large and bulky boxes housing traditional audio products, lies in the class-D amplifier’s high energy efficiency, which is typically around 90%. This allows designers to reduce or eliminate heatsinks as well as using smaller-sized PCBs and smaller components such as transformers, connectors and power supplies.
Design Features
October 8, 2012
The Role of Hall Effect Sensors in Power Distribution Infrastructure
Power distribution units (PDUs) form an essential part of modern computing and data communications hardware. They provide multiple outputs for transferring electrical power with maximum efficiency, controlling the power capacity and safeguarding against the possible causes of supply interruption. With an ever increasing need from tech savvy consumers for higher data throughput and greater quantities of data storage capacity, as well as tough international legislation now governing CO&sub2; emissions, the demands being placed on these units are proving challenging for engineering teams to satisfy.
Product Focus
August 13, 2012
The Year in AC-DC Power Supply Technology
The past year witnessed significant new product releases, technological developments, and industry news related to the field of AC-DC Power Supply technology.