Energy | Technical articles

Whether you deliver energy through a pipeline or the smart grid, you’ll need components selected for performance and lifetime within harsh environments. Explore our resources to stay up to date with energy trends and technology.

The world's first 4 mOhm SiC JFET for circuit protection

Why your next relay or fuse could be a transistor

By Philip Ling - October 8, 2024

We now have semiconductor substrates that can handle extremely high voltages and currents. But do transistor-based switches still have a place in the high-power domain?

EV on a charger, with selection of Microchip OBC products

Making more efficient on-board chargers

By Philip Ling - October 8, 2024

The entire world is transitioning toward the electrification of everything, and the most impactful areas are where fossil fuels currently dominate.

AI takes on growing role in HVAC system efficiencies

July 24, 2023

In most countries, buildings account for about 40% of the total energy consumed. HVAC and lighting consume around half that amount. Fortunately, AI is already delivering improved energy efficiency in these systems.

EV Charging Series, Part 3: How V2G Benefits Drivers and Electricity Suppliers

By Harvey Wilson - June 19, 2023

Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) is the capability for EVs to send power from their batteries back to the main electricity grid. This can be hugely helpful in meeting demands on the grid, stabilising it, and dealing with the inconsistency of renewables.

How robust testing forms part of the SiC supply chain

October 11, 2022

In high reliability/availability applications, SiC semiconductors are seen as emerging technology. This article explains their benefits and how an end-to-end supply chain with robust testing makes SiC a safe design option.

Why should you consider a smart monitoring system for your diesel engine?

By Philip Ling - August 17, 2022

The IoT is changing the way we manage and maintain essential assets. Smart sensors, cloud-based analytics and remote management are coming together to increase productivity, efficiency and reliability.

How wide bandgap semiconductors are improving renewable energy design

August 12, 2022

While silicon served us admirably for half a century, engineers are turning to wide bandgap technologies such as silicon carbide and gallium nitride to increase converter/inverter efficiency as momentum to harness renewable energy increases.

Designing ultra-rapid DC EV chargers

July 13, 2022

If electric drivetrains are to replace internal combustion, particularly in larger vehicles, we need more high-speed DC charging capacity. This article examines six of the main design considerations.

Person paying for EV charging with a credit card

Defining security for the EV charging infrastructure

July 13, 2022

Drivers are demanding easy access to public EV charging points. Providers must meet this demand without sacrificing security for simplicity. Cybercriminals will find any security weaknesses, but the latest standards are here to help.

two buisiness people exchanging handshake with SiC icons overlayed

A closer look at SiC quality

June 27, 2022

Silicon carbide builds on established manufacturing methodologies but requires entirely new manufacturing processes. Increasing yield and reducing costs relies on imposing the highest quality at every stage.

Why you should care about SiC figures of merit

June 10, 2022

SiC semiconductors are becoming ubiquitous in power conversion equipment, particularly in the areas of EVs, solar and energy storage systems. This article reviews applications and explores the figures of merit that can be used to compare devices.

The environmental impact of electric vehicles

By Michael Pochmann - February 11, 2022

Vehicle electrification offers a huge opportunity for innovation

The ins and outs of vehicle-to-grid charging

By Harvey Wilson - February 11, 2022

A well-implemented V2G strategy could provide wins for drivers and power companies while reducing the carbon impact of both car and electricity usage.