Date: 08/08/2011

Vivek Sharma of ST explains role of semiconductors in green energy

Vivek Sharma, Vice President, Greater China & South Asia- India Operations, ST Microelectronics explained in a recent event, how semiconductor devices can play a crucial role in providing green energy by meshing the energy sources and consuming devices in a smart way; called smart grid.

The devices include sensors to sense the power generation and power consumption parameters, power semiconductor devices to convert AC to DC, DC to AC, and one voltage level of AC/DC to other voltage level of AC/DC efficiently at an efficiency above 95%, communication devices to connect the mesh/grid, and the smart processors to process the data at different power levels based on the need.

The new devices supporting green energy should have extremely low on-resistance, and also they are moving to power efficient semiconductor materials such as GaN (Gallium Nitride) and SiC (Silicon Carbide).

55% of the world's generated electrical energy is consumed by motors, so motor-control electronics involve use of smart semiconductor devices. In electric automotives, the motor-control and the battery-management functions can be efficiently handled by smart chips and power semiconductor devices.

Another major saving can be achieved by reducing the standby power in consumer appliances. As per a study shared by Vivek, if the stand-by consumption is reduced < 1Watt, it is able to cut reduce Stand by consumption from 50TWh to 15TWh by 2020. Smart power MOSFETs and a smart processor play a role here.

The semiconductor in the form of LEDs can save huge energy in the lighting sector.

And most important is solar energy where the solar PV and the control and conversion of solar energy is 100% electronics, mainly semiconductor.

So it's the semiconductor material, which plays a huge role in both source and consumption in today's world of green and clean energy.