The future of electronic power processing and conversion

At a workshop held on the Aeolian Islands in Sicily during May 2004 a group of academic and industry engineers from all over the world discussed the medium-and long-term future of power electronics and its applications in specific areas. The following main issues were identified and discussed. --The demand is not for power electronic solutions but for system integration of electronic power processing. A more multidisciplinary approach is needed. --We will witness a proliferation of energy storage in systems. The technology is in place and the improvement in system performance makes it worthwhile. --A large penetration of power electronics into power systems will happen within the next 25-30 years. The main transmission grid will not be affected. The power electronics development will be in distributed generation and in the loads. --The success of the integrated starter/generator, hybrid or electric cars depends on political decisions more than on technological advances. However, the success of a recent Japanese hybrid car and the cost of oil could trigger the critical momentum for large-scale use of power electronics in automotive applications. --We are moving toward standardized power supply building blocks for computers and other applications. The main push is for lower cost, and production technology becomes the important issue. --Demands for improved performance in a diversity of applications will stimulate R&D in power electronics in future. Intelligent control and energy management will come easily. Thermal and passive component integration is equally important and will require attention.