Power Electronics, A First Course, 2nd Edition

PREFACE

Role of Power Electronics in Providing Sustainable Electric Energy

As discussed in the introductory chapter of this textbook, power electronics is an enabling technology for powering information technology and making factory automation feasible. In addition, power electronics has a crucial role to play in providing sustainable electric energy. Most scientists now believe that carbon-based fuels for energy production contribute to climate change, which is a serious threat facing human civilization. In the United States, the Department of Energy reports that approximately 40% of all the energy consumed is first converted into electricity. Potentially, use of electric and plug-in hybrid cars, high-speed rails, and so on, may increase this to even 60%. Therefore, it is essential that we generate electricity from renewable sources such as wind and solar, which at present represent only slightly over 4%, build the next-generation smarter and robust grid to utilize renewable resources often in remote locations, and use electricity in more energy-efficient ways. Undoubtedly, using electricity efficiently and generating it from renewable sources are the twin pillars of sustainability, and as described in this textbook, power electronic systems are a key to them both!

This textbook focuses on power electronic systems as one of the topics in an integrated electric energy systems curriculum consisting of power electronics, power systems, and electric machines and drives. This textbook ...