Power Electronics: "What is it and why do we need it?"

Power electronics has come to encompass the use of semiconductor-based, switch-mode techniques to process and control electrical energy. Starting with the development of the mercury arc rectifier in the early 20th century power electronics has continued to revolutionise the way we generate, transport and use electricity. Today power electronics underpins all aspects of the electrical power food chain from the gigawatt scale international HVDC schemes to the tiny, high-efficiency converters which enable mobile electronics.

This lecture will explore the wonderful world of power electronics, its applications and where it may be going next.

Further Information

• Professor Stephen Finney, School of Engineering profile
• Professor Stephen Finney, Edinburgh Research Explorer
• Electronics and Electrical Engineering at the School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh
• Institute for Energy Systems (IES), School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh