Fraunhofer Institute for Silicon TechnologyFraunhofer ISIT launches a new competence centre for power electronics in Schleswig-Holstein
Itzehoe, 14 April 2008 – The Fraunhofer Institute for Silicon Technology (ISIT) has established a regional network for power electronics in Schleswig-Holstein. The €6 million power electronics project is being funded in equal thirds by the State of Schleswig-Holstein, the Fraunhofer Society and several industrial companies based in Schleswig-Holstein. These companies – ESW (Jenoptik), Danfoss, Jungheinrich and Vishay – are primarily contributing their system expertise and specifications for future power electronic circuits. The Universities of Applied Sciences in Kiel and Heide, as well as Christian Albrecht University in Kiel, are participating in the network as academic institutions, contributing their specialist knowledge. The project is officially launched today with the presentation of the state government’s grant notification by Dietrich Austermann, Minister for Economic Affairs, to Dr Wolfgang Windbracke, Director of Fraunhofer ISIT and initiator of the project. The network now brings together the strong expertise in power electronics that already exists within the state.
As a first concrete application, a flagship project will develop new energy-efficient inverter concepts. Inverters are at the heart of power electronics systems; their use in controlling motors, pumps and other equipment can lead to energy savings of more than 30 per cent. The aim of the network is not only to develop converters with significantly reduced power losses, but also to develop innovative products for power electronics, thereby boosting competitiveness and creating new jobs in the medium term. This network will enable Fraunhofer ISIT to secure further projects from industry and the public sector that go beyond the main theme. The network is open to further partners. “Over the course of the three-year project phase, other industries in Schleswig-Holstein for which power electronics is of great importance may also participate, such as companies active in the field of renewable energy,” explains Dr Wolfgang Windbracke.
The Power Electronics Competence Centre highlights a current socio-technological trend. “Against the backdrop of an increasingly intense debate on energy in Germany, power electronics is becoming significantly more important, particularly when one considers that 40 per cent of total energy demand is met through the use of electrical energy. Using this energy more efficiently is one of the main tasks for future power electronics,” said Dietrich Austermann, Minister for Economic Affairs.