Efficient use of energy and resources is one issue that we cannot avoid if we are to create an environmentally sustainable society. The active control of electrical power provided by power electronics technology holds one key to the efficient use of electrical energy. Many Fuji Electric Group products incorporate such technology.
The following discussion on the challenges and vision of the Fuji Electric Group for the future of power electronics technology featured several engineers from the Fuji Electric Group and Professor Eisuke Masada of Tokyo University of Science, who is an outside director of Fuji Electric Holdings.
More efficient energy usage through near-zero power losses
| Fujii: |
In power electronics equipment such as inverters and UPS, I think the challenge is to minimize power losses as far as possible to boost efficiency. This goal is linked both to energy conservation and to environmental protection. With the medium- and high-capacity UPS that we are currently developing, we have managed to improve the power electronics technology to the point where we can achieve extremely high levels of efficiency, of up to 97 98% or so. |
| Itoigawa: |
The key to reducing power losses even closer to zero is the performance of the IGBT (insulated gate bipolar transistor) power semiconductors that are contained in the converter. Therefore, we are closely watching the development progress. |
| Kakiki: |
In the year ended March 2006, the Fuji Electric Group launched a new type of converter called a matrix converter. The original IGBT modules developed by our division contributed to making the circuits more compact and that resulted in reduced power losses by up to a third more than previous equivalent products. We expect these new IGBT modules to open up a whole new range of possibilities within the field of power electronics. |
| Nakayama: |
At Fuji Electric Retail Systems, we have launched product showcases that are fitted with inverters. Using power electronics technology gives us more precise control over product chilling. Besides the benefits in terms of energy conservation, this also allows us to create a more pleasant environment inside the store. |
| Yamagata: |
Power electronics technology also plays a significant role in the social infrastructure products supplied by the Fuji Electric Group, such as water treatment systems and power generation equipment. I think that it is a critical element in making products that emphasize both quality and energy conservation. |
| Masada: |
Fuji Electric is widely acknowledged for the quality of its technology. The reliability of that quality is an important factor in Japan's social and industrial infrastructure. Above and beyond these considerations, however, I hope that Fuji Electric Group engineers can challenge product creation with a bold and adventurous mind. I believe that coming up with new proposals for products and technologies that address the unmet needs of customers should be a fascinating exercise whose main objective is to create novel and innovative products. |
| Itoigawa: |
Around the world, many people are trying to cut CO2 emissions and save energy in various ways. Since power electronics technology can adjust the amount of electrical energy supplied depending on the power load, I think that it has huge energy-saving potential in all types of electrical equipment, from inverter-equipped air conditioners to electric trains. I think that we need to promote the fact that Fuji Electric Group power electronics technology is eco-friendly. |
Environmental contribution from collaboration between Group companies
| Kakiki: |
If we look at the Fuji Electric Group as a whole, we have the entire range of power electronics technology, as well as distributed power sources such as solar cells and fuel cells. Together these could provide stable, efficient supplies of energy. |
| Nakayama: |
Collaborative efforts between Group companies could result in interesting development projects. For example, we could develop an energy-efficient vending machine that uses a fuel cell or solar cells for its power source. |
| Fujii: |
That's right. But to do that, I think that technicians and product developers within the Group need to be able to pool their wisdom crossfunctionally. We must cultivate a corporate culture of creating things together. |
| Yamagata: |
At Fuji Electric Systems, we are developing distributed power sources based on the concept of local-area production and consumption, using alternative and novel energy technologies for power generation and storage. Power conversion and energy usage efficiency are also vital in such applications, which will make power electronics technology essential in this area too. I believe that we can make a real contribution to society by continuing to develop and improve this technology. |
| Masada: |
The Japanese government is making progress with its third basic plan for science and technology, covering the years from 2006 to 2010. There is a three-part core strategy formulated for the energy sector, with the goals being to conserve energy, lower oil dependence and promote nuclear power. Power electronics technology is closely related to many of the core themes involved in terms of the need to improve production processes and to develop power storage technologies. Since we are in an age where governments are taking a strategic lead on these issues, now is the time for those engineers who are developing technology and front-line products to be creative with ideas that could benefit the environment. I hope we can transform such ideas into business reality quickly. |
Dialogue Participants
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| "Power electronics products will never be highly visible, but that's why we need to come up with new ideas in this field to appeal to society." |
"Creating sustainable power electronics products is a key theme for the Fuji Electric Group." |
"Fuji Electric is a company that can produce products with a vision. Through more collaboration on products and systems development, I hope that we can be globally competitive." |
Prof. Eisuke Masada
Tokyo University of Science (Outside director Fuji Electric Holdings Co., Ltd). |
Yoshihiko Yamagata
Power Electronics Technology Department, Kobe Plant Fuji Electric Systems Co., Ltd. |
Nobuo Itoigawa
Systems Equipment Business Division Fuji Electric FA Components & Systems Co., Ltd. |
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| "Historically Fuji Electric Group's business approach has been "static". Now we need to balance our attitude with more "dynamic" approach." |
"Looking for social needs and creating the products that turn such needs into reality. This is exactly the challenge that only manufacturers such as Fuji Electric can relish ." |
"I hope that we can contribute to a better society by improving the safety of power electronics equipment and by broadening the applications for such products." |
Hideaki Kakiki
Development Design Department, Matsumoto site
Fuji Hitachi Power Semiconductor Co., Ltd. |
Masaki Nakayama
No. 1 Product Planning Department, Product Planning Division Fuji Electric Retail Systems Co., Ltd. |
Mikisuke Fujii
Electronics Technology Laboratory Fuji Electric Advanced Technology Co., Ltd. |
What is power electronics technology?
Electrical energy, or power, can be expressed as voltage multiplied by current. Power electronics technology enables control of both the voltage and the current to actively adjust the energy used by an electrical device. Televisions, refrigerators and other electrical equipment all use some form of power electronics technology.
In broad terms, the technology has two possible roles. In those products such as inverters, this role is to control the rotation of a motor. In power supplies such as uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and related products, the technology's role is to ensure a high-quality supply of electricity to electrical machinery or other equipment. At the heart of this technology are devices called power semiconductors that control electrical energy.
