The ECS industry is constantly moving, motivated by a knowledge driven global challenge, dealing with exceptionally complex systems but also complex components and manufacturing processes. The objectives in Power2Power aim to foster a holistic, digitized pilot line approach by accelerating the transition of ideas to innovations in the Power Electronic Components and Systems domain. In the course of this project, the international leadership of the European industry in this segment will be strengthened by means of a digitized pilot line approach along the supply chain located entirely in Europe; working together with multiple organizations, combining different disciplines and knowledge areas in the heterogeneous power-ECS environment. Only these comprehensive efforts will allow to reach a high-volume production of smart power electronics to change the market towards energy-efficient applications to meet the carbon dioxide reduction goals of the European Union (European Commission, 2018). Consequently, economic growth and tackling grand societal challenges “Energy” and “Mobility” lead to safeguarding meaningful jobs for European citizens.
Energy generation, energy conversion and smart actors are application domains where advanced high-voltage power semiconductor components primarily impact the path toward winning innovations. Advanced high voltage power semiconductor components are used wherever electrical power is generated, transmitted or used by the consumers and industry.
Silicon-based power solutions are well known since decades, however, the demand for highest energy efficiencies are growing. Based on new materials, like GaN and SiC, highest efficiencies have been shown recently, and production of those devices has started and will grow. However, Silicon-based power solutions will outperform new materials (SiC, GaN) for many more years in terms of cost-to-performance-ratio and reliability. Thus, the Silicon-based power solutions will keep innovating and growing the upcoming years.
Power2Power planned to enable innovations and create opportunities from possible disruptions by providing cost-effective high-power electronics components.
Throughout the project, the 43 partners from industry and research jointly developed novel power semiconductors with higher power density and energy efficiency. The project achieved significantly improved power semiconductor solutions for high voltages. These silicon-based IGBT solutions are also characterized by reliability and robustness, which are especially important in transport and (heavy) industrial applications, for example in battery systems and chargers for electric vehicles and high-speed drives, in power supply solutions for welding technology and for renewable energy storage in the grid. In the area of electro-mobility in particular, solutions developed by the Power2Power consortium enable a significant reduction in energy consumption and energy conversion. Through their joint efforts, the partners were able to develop novel solutions to strengthen the competitiveness of the European Power Electronics Industry.
