In this Sustainable Energy Seminar, Dr. Chirag Gupta, Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, will discuss the potential for advanced power electronics devices to greatly improve the efficiency of electric power generation, transportation, and consumption.

Abstract:  The surge in world-wide energy consumption boosted by the advent of new markets such as electric and autonomous vehicles, PV solar inverters, Internet of Things (IoT) etc. places a growing need for highly efficient power electronics for generation, transportation, and utilization of electricity. Silicon-based devices are most commonly used in traditional power electronics applications, however, devices based on wide band-gap (WBG) semiconductors, in particular Gallium Nitride (GaN), are expected to revolutionize power electronics. GaN devices promise to reduce losses, size, weight and cost of power conversion systems. Overall, over 10% reduction in global electric power consumption could be possible. In my lecture, I will provide an overview of these wide band-gap devices.

This event is offered both in-person at the Wisconsin Energy Institute and online through Zoom Webinar. If attending online, registration is required. Click here to register for this and all other webinars as part of the Sustainable Energy Seminar series in Fall 2022.