Electric power consumption | smart and efficient

From smartphone to homes, in manufacturing and cars, we use electric power all day long. More than half of the world’s population uses the internet, mobile device data have been increasing massively within recent years. It’s obvious that there is an urgent need but also great potential for smart digital technologies to help reduce our energy consumption in all fields. The functional characteristics of innovative chips and sensors enable effective power management solutions – from electromobility and transport to communication and data centers, from industrial automation to smart buildings and consumer appliances.

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The potential for energy savings through digitalization and green mobility as well as in modern living with connected devices is much higher than expected. Along with the increased awareness of climate change and the need for energy-efficient solutions, innovative semiconductor technologies are becoming key facilitators. Chips and sensor systems enable innovative, sustainable and effective power management solutions – in electromobility, transport and communication, in data centers, production sites and buildings.

Infineon power semiconductors and integrated circuits (ICs) help reduce consumption and energy losses wherever electric power is used. They include chips and sensor systems that – in analogy to the human body – basically serve as the nerves efficiently transporting and managing information from our brain to our muscles.

And additionally, new materials support the energy efficiency efforts of the semiconductor industry. Power devices based on so-called wide-bandgap materials such as silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) enable higher power density and reduced switching losses.

Wide-Bandgap technology for energy efficient designs

Today approximately 90 percent of vehicle innovations in general are based on electronics. The electrification of vehicles is a key solution in saving energy, reducing CO₂ emissions and supporting a greener future. To date, 66 countries have announced the goal of 100% zero-emission vehicles or the phase-out of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by 2050. Infineon microelectronics enable clean, safe and smart cars in the electrification of vehicles, both by improving electrical power efficiency and by replacing hydraulic and mechanical solutions.

With a broad range of products and solutions Infineon helps navigate the transition from internal combustion engines to hybrid and electric drives. Infineon’s micro-electronics make an important contribution to emission-free driving, enabling the highest possible energy efficiency, i.e. higher energy efficiency in terms of range, shorter charging times and lower costs.

Achieve Zero CO₂: Making electromobility work with solutions from Infineon

Refrigerators can be real energy guzzlers if they have not been lucky enough to be inverterized. The motors of not inverterized appliances can’t regulate their speed, they always run at full power. Through digital inverterization, fridges consume only as much electricity as they actually need. They know precisely when and how much is required to run. This major step for energy saving relies on leading Infineon technology: the interaction and combination of sensors, microcontrollers and power semiconductors. As a positive side effect: An efficient refrigerator makes less noise and allows improved design options for manufacturer as less isolation material is needed.

Solutions for home appliances

Infineon offers a broad portfolio of power semiconductors and control ICs that enable energy efficiency to be optimized along the entire electrical energy chain. This includes silicon-based MOSFETs (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors) and IGBTs (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors) for both industrial and consumer applications. They help significantly reduce the energy losses that occur in most electronic devices, chargers and motors while consuming energy. New semiconductor materials are also gaining ground. Infineon is developing a complementary portfolio of power devices based on most efficient wide-bandgap materials such as SiC (silicon carbide) and GaN (gallium nitride).

Application overview