Power electronics

Energy transition applications.

A new year begins, and at Norvento Enerxía we are excited to announce the main topic of our corporative blog: Power Electronics. This technological field, essential for the energy transition, will be our main focus of transmission of knowledge throughout the year.

Power Electronics is the heart of clean technologies, from integrating renewable sources into the grid to sustainable mobility and energy storage. Through articles, interviews and technical analysis, we will explore how this discipline is driving solutions to decarbonise our economy.

Power Electronics: Intelligence behind all energy

Power Electronics has become a key discipline for the global energy transition. From solar inverters that transform the sun energy into usable electricity, to fast charging systems for electric vehicles, this technology is essential for the integration of renewable energies and the electrification of various sectors. Throughout this year, we will explore its most relevant applications and the cutting-edge innovations that are redefining the energy sector. This journey will allow us to understand its impact on sectors such as transport, industry and energy storage, offering a complete picture of its role in energy sustainability.

As an example, in countries such as Denmark, a country with a largely centralised electricity infrastructure, more than 50% of electricity comes from renewable sources, thanks to advanced Power Electronics systems that optimise the conversion and distribution of wind energy, which is predominant in the country. On the other hand, the isolated communities, pilot projects of smart microgrids thanks to Power Electronics in some African countries have demonstrated how this technology can bring reliable electricity to remote territories, traditionally disconnected from the grid.

In the future, Power Electronics will continue to evolve with the development of more compact and efficient devices thanks to materials such as Silicon Carbide (SiC), which are already revolutionising the industry with their applications in ultra-fast electric vehicle chargers.

During 2025, in Norvento’s blog, we will explore the multiple applications that Power Electronics already has and those that will have in the near future, which will help us to understand its importance in the energy value chain, especially in the transition to renewables and the electrification of society. In the meantime, in this first entry of the year, we will offer a practical extract of some of them.

Long-distance energy transmission

Energy transmission over long distances, especially between regions with large renewable generation and consumption centres, requires innovative solutions. High Voltage Direct Current systems (HVDC), consisting of two Power Electronics converters, one at each end of the grid, are essential to reduce losses and improve grid stability in these situations.

A real example is the HVDC connection between Norway and Germany, which carries hydro and wind power across the North Sea. This system not only reduces losses, but also helps to balance fluctuations in renewable generation.

In the future, projects such as the European SuperGrid, consisting of offshore power and HVDC power transmission in an integrated European-wide energy distribution grid, promise to interconnect even more regions, creating a more integrated and efficient energy market.

Technologies for a new generation paradigm

Energy decentralisation is transforming how and where electricity is generated and consumed. Technologies such as residential photovoltaic systems and storage batteries, which rely on Power Electronics inverters to transform and manage the energy flows generated, allow users to not only consume energy, but also become producers, feeding surpluses into the grid.

A notable example is the microgrid system in California, which combines solar panels, batteries and digital management through Power Electronics for entire communities. These solutions not only increase resilience to power outages, it also reduces dependence on fossil fuels.

As technology costs fall, this trend is likely to expand quickly in rural and urban regions around the world.

Decarbonisation and sea power

Marine energy continues to be an energetic resource with enormous potential. Devices such as wave energy converters are capable of transforming the power of waves and currents into electricity.

In Portugal, the WaveRoller project is testing the viability of these systems on a commercial scale, with the goal of powering thousands of homes with clean energy from the sea.

Although it still faces challenges such as resistance to adverse conditions and high costs, marine energy promises to be a key pillar of the energy transition in coastal regions.

Electric vehicle storage and charging infrastructures

Catenaries, elements present in the urban and interurban transport system of many cities, represent an innovative solution to boost electric transport thanks to the opportunity they represent to recharge their batteries. It is a system already used in countries such as Sweden and Germany, which allows buses and trucks to recharge their batteries while in motion, reducing significantly the need to stop for charging.

Furthermore, the integration of catenaries with renewable storage stations for multiple uses, thanks again to the intervention of Power Electronics, demonstrates how traditional infrastructures can be adapted to meet decarbonisation targets.

In the future, we will see wider applications of these solutions in cities seeking to fully electrify their public transport.

Applications for improvement, maintenance and predictive generation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the way electricity grids operate, enabling more dynamic and efficient management. Tools such as digital twins, which virtually replicate electricity grids, are already being used to predict failures and optimise energy flow.

A real case in point is the use of AI by some electricity companies in Australia, which analyse consumption and generation patterns to adjust energy supply and demand in real time.

In combination with AI, Power Electronics will enable a future where electricity grids are fully smart, autonomous and resilient to extreme weather events or malfunctions.

A coexistence through Power Electronics

Green Hydrogen is revolutionising sectors such as heavy industry and mobility. Its production by electrolysis requires advanced power electronics systems to optimise the conversion of renewable electricity into hydrogen.

Projects such as the HyDeal Ambition in Europe are demonstrating how the combination of hydrogen and energy storage can meet the energy demands of industry and transport, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Over the long term, green hydrogen will be a key part of stabilising grids and providing clean energy at times of high demand.

Renewables and Power Electronics for Grid Stabilisation

The massive integration of renewables presents significant challenges for the stability of electricity grids. Technologies such as STATCOMs, or static synchronous balancers – Power Electronics devices that improve stability and control power quality in transmission and distribution systems – are being implemented in countries such as India to ensure a stable supply, even under extreme conditions.

In Japan, flow battery projects, or rechargeable batteries, allow large amounts of renewable energy to be stored, acting as a backup at times of high demand.

These technologies will be essential to build more secure and reliable grids in a renewables-driven world.

Looking at energy technology needs

The advancement of power electronics involves the production of materials such as Silicon Carbide (SiC). In applications for solar inverters and fast chargers, this material has been shown to improve efficiency up to 20% compared to its silicon-only predecessors. Currently, companies are already integrating these materials into their charging systems to offer ultra-fast charging times.

Securing the supply of these materials will be key to keeping pace with the global energy transition.

To conclude this first entry of the year, we can highlight that Power Electronics holds an enormously relevant place in the modern electricity system. Its role in the transition towards clean and sustainable sources is undeniable, and its applications will continue to expand as different technologies evolve. From power transmission to advanced storage, this discipline is positioned as a pillar of our energy future.

We invite you to continue discovering, throughout this Norvento 2025 blog and in a clear and detailed way, the innovations and applications of Power Electronics.

References

• European Commission – European SuperGrid Initiative.
• Orbital Marine Power – Wave Energy Projects Overview.
• Tesla – Next-Generation Charging Infrastructure.
• HyDeal Ambition – Hydrogen Projects in Europe.
• Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) – AI in Grid Management.
• WaveRoller – Marine Energy in Portugal.
• International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) – Renewables Integration in Grids.

Photo provided by Gianfranco Ciccolini.