The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) of the United Nations has given its stamp of approval to an energy-efficient one-charger-fits-all new mobile phone solution. The announcement comes as ITU lobbies hard to have the essential role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) recognized in the draft Copenhagen Agreement as a key part of the solution towards mitigating climate change.

Brian L. Halla, Chairman and CEO of National Semiconductor Corp., addressed the role of electronics in creating more energy-efficient systems, optimizing renewable energy sources and enabling smarter energy storage systems. He delivered his comments in a keynote speech, "A World Racing to Be Green," at the Nikkei Green Device 2009 Forum in Yokohama, Japan.

Though these are the latest events, the importance of power electronics had been gaining momentum for some time. In 2006, Bill Weihl, Energy Czar at Google, along with Urs Hoelzle, wrote about high-efficiency power supplies for home computers and servers. Considering Google is a search engine company that primarily derives its revenue from advertising, and not through energy efficiency-based products, one can surmise that the importance of power electronics was becoming pervasive.

However, these events are just not happening at the corporate periphery, but every day in modern life. Power electronics is playing an important role in our homes (with emerging solar roofs), our cars (through emerging electric and hybrid vehicles) and through modern appliances, computers and mobile phones. Power electronics has become an important part of our everyday modern life and is expected to play an even bigger role in the future through acquisition of new energy efficient products/applications.

There are new opportunities in data centers, renewable energy generation, LED lighting applications, DC buildings, to name a few. In data centers, Emerson Electric, as the largest company in the power electronics market, holds the advantage as it is capable of providing a complete and total solution from embedded power supplies and UPSs to the entire powering architecture. This is one of the unique power electronics companies that have such an array of products and technical expertise.

Renewable energy is the promising and emerging field that has spawned a number of new and successful companies. SMA Solar Technology, a Germany-based company, is expected to pass a billion dollar mark in this industry during 2009, showing growth, while most traditional power electronics companies have shown a decline. Among traditional power supply companies Power-One has entered this market with gusto and has increased its presence during this downturn. In addition, Delta Electronics, one of the largest embedded power supply companies, has moved aggressively into renewable energy market. LED lighting is another emerging and promising market that offers wide and varied application opportunities. And the list of new opportunities can go on.

In the end, one asks, what does this new paradigm mean to me? Will these new seemingly endless opportunities benefit me and my company in the long run? Or are these just hypothetical, theoretical presumptions which look good on paper, create excitement in discussion groups but are unachievable in real life. The scope of power electronics is changing and significant opportunities await for those companies willing to explore and invest in these new frontiers and take advantage of in this expansive new paradigm. The opportunities need to be explored diligently or they may fall outside the natural progression of a company or the industry.

The views expressed in this article are solely of Mohan Mankikar's alone. They do not represent view of PSMA. Mohan Mankikar has been a part of the power supply industry for over twenty years, has been an active member of PSMA since its founding, and has been on the Board of PSMA and currently acts as an advisor.

Provided by Mohan Mankikar, President, Micro-Tech Consultants

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