Power electronics is a branch of electrical engineering that deals with the conversion, control, and conditioning of electric power. In short, power electronics find applications in the generation, transmission, distribution, utilization, and control of electric power. There has been extensive use of power electronics in almost every field where electrical energy is involved. The purpose of this article is to provide you with real-life applications of power electronics in detail.
Application of Power Electronics
Listed below are some of the power electronics applications in different fields.
Applications of power electronics in home appliances
Home appliances are one of the most important devices in any home. Not only do they make our lives easier, but they also add value to our homes. From the oven that can cook up a storm or the washing machine that can get your clothes clean and dry, home appliances make our lives a lot easier. Not to mention, they can add comfort and convenience to our lives by making our kitchens and bathrooms more functional. All this is possible with the help of power electronic devices. Here are some of the applications of power electronics in home appliances.
- Induction Cooktop
- Microwave oven
- Televisions (LCD, LED)
- Vacuum cleaner
- Food warmer trays
- Lighting
- Battery chargers
- Air-conditioner
- Electric-door openers
- Refrigerators
- Fans
- Uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
- Emergency lights
- Food mixer
- Dryers
- Fan regulator
- Electric blanket
- Home Inverter
- Computer
- Light dimmer
- Space heating
Applications of power electronics in aerospace
Power electronics are a key enabling technology in the aerospace industry. Power electronic devices can be used to regulate voltage, convert power from AC to DC or vice versa, etc. In order for power electronics to be used in aerospace applications, they must meet stringent safety standards and regulations. Some of the applications of power electronics in aerospace are:
- Space exploration robot power system
- Satellite power system
- Space vehicle power system
- Aircraft power system
- Space shuttles
Applications of power electronics in automobiles, and transportation sector
There is also a large amount of use of power electronics in the automotive and transportation industry. Some of the uses of power electronic devices are the following.
- Auxiliary electric supply system
- Battery management system
- Electric vehicle charging system
- Electric vehicle drivetrain
- Electric power steering
- Fork-lifts
- Maglev
- Trolleys
- Electric Locomotive
- Motor drives
- Modern traction systems
- Subways
- Ships
- Hybrid electric vehicles
Applications of power electronics in industries
Power electronics are used in a number of industries including aerospace and defense, automation and control, automotive, consumer appliances, lighting, etc. Some of the applications of power electronics in industries are found in
- UPS
- Rolling mills
- Drive trains
- Elevators
- Electromagnet
- Arc furnaces, Induction furnaces
- Cement mills
- Emergency power systems
- Pumps
- Fan/Blower
- Industrial LASERs
- Excavators
- Construction machinery
- Welding
- Robot
- Compressors
- Lighting
- Textile mills
- Induction heating
The aerospace industry uses power electronics for the operation of aircraft.
The automotive industry uses power electronics to control the flow of current to electric motors which are then converted into rotational energy to drive the wheels.
The consumer appliances industry uses power electronics for the operation of household items such as refrigerators, televisions, etc.
The lighting industry uses power electronics for controlling light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in order to create various colors and intensities.
Applications of power electronics in medical field
Power electronics is a rapidly developing field with many applications in different industries such as automotive, aerospace, and medical. In the medical field, power electronic devices are used in various hospital equipment and power supply system. Some of the applications of power electronics in medical field are found in
- Power supply to various monitoring systems
- LASER supply
- Fitness machine
- MRI scanner
Applications of power electronics in defence sector
The defence sector is one of the sectors that are most benefiting from power electronics. The applications of power electronics in the military are many. Some applications of power electronics in defence sector include:
- Unmanned vehicles
- Drones
- Several other equipment of defence
Applications of power electronics in power utility
Power electronics is an essential part of the power utility. It is used in various applications such as power conversion and conditioning, voltage regulation, voltage stabilization, harmonic mitigation, etc. Some of the applications of power electronics in power utility are found in
- HVDC converters
- Static circuit breakers
- Static VAR compensation (SVC)
- Power factor correctors
- STATCOM
- Smart grids
- FACTS
- Fuel cells
- Energy storage systems
- Induced-draft fans and boiler
- Feed water pumps
Applications of power electronics in telecommunication sector
Power electronics are a key component in the telecommunication sector. Power electronic devices can be found in almost all telecommunication sectors. Some applications include:
- Wireless communication
- Mobile
- Power supply for transmitter and receiver
Applications of power electronics in renewable energy systems
There is a growing use of power electronics in the generation of renewable energy. Power electronics are used in renewable energy systems such as solar farms, wind farms, and hydroelectric plants. These power electronic devices help in the conversion of power into a form that can be transferred over long distances at high voltages without losing much energy through wires. Some applications of power electronics in renewable energy systems are in the:
- Solar PV systems
- Wind farms
- Hydroelectric power plants
Application of power electronics in power system
The power system is an interconnected network for distributing electricity from generators to end users. Power electronics is used in power systems to convert electric power from one form to another. It is also used to control the flow of power by regulating voltage and current. The application of power electronics in power systems is found in
- Power supply stability
- Power system harmonics control
- Power transmission
- Power generation
Final thoughts
Power electronics technologies play an important role in modern society. In the past few years, the demand for such devices has grown rapidly, due to their application in power distribution networks and their use in various fields such as electric vehicles, renewable energy, railways, and wind turbines.
Power electronics is spread in a wide number of applications such as aerospace, home appliances, domestic and theater lighting, industrial, commercial, medical, games and entertainment, power utility systems, telecommunication, transportation, renewable energy, automobiles, railway systems, HVDC transmission, etc.
