Silicon Alps Cluster: Your gateway to the future of power electronics

An incredibly innovative and progressive segment of this industry is located in the Carinthia-Styria region, which is why the SILICON ALPS Cluster has established the „Area of Excellence Power Electronics“ to support companies, research institutes, and start-ups in this field and bring them to the forefront.

To optimally set up the Area from the outset and draw the community’s attention to the focal points of the relevant players, a core team group was established. This team plays a crucial role in promoting key technologies in the „Area of Excellence Power Electronics“ and their impact on the future. Additional emphasis is placed on education and further training on this topic, particularly in areas like electric vehicles, solar panels, and high-speed electronic devices. Competencies related to research findings and technological approaches, including silicon carbide and gallium nitride technologies, need to be transferred to companies to support their competitiveness.

The core team meets at regular intervals and coordinates with the Area Management on matters, project ideas, news, event dates, and content. The trend-scouting tool, Neptun, aids in facilitating the flow of information. This Area also aims for cooperative project developments.

Important trends
of the area

Power electronics is the technological foundation for our modern world. Energy efficiency, smart home applications, e-mobility, and renewable energy are just a few topics where the power electronics industry is driving the world towards sustainability and efficiency.

Energy Efficiency

This Area also aims for cooperative project developments, focusing on the control and conversion of electric power in various applications. Power electronics play a key role in the efficient conversion, control, and processing of electrical energy from the source to the consumer, particularly within the power grid and DC power systems. The energy-saving potential of power electronics in various applications primarily relates to intelligent power supplies and cost-effective, energy-efficient, and low-emission mobility solutions.

The estimated energy-saving potential achievable by introducing power electronics into systems is enormous, amounting to more than 25% of the current electricity consumption in Europe.

GaN & SiC

These materials have gained significant attention in the field of power electronics due to their exceptional properties. The wide bandgap of gallium nitride (GaN) and the high-temperature tolerance of silicon carbide (SiC) make them ideal candidates for various applications, from electric vehicles to renewable energy systems.

Integrated Power Modules

Several semiconductor components, such as MOSFETs, diodes, and gate drivers, are combined into a single package to form an integrated power module, crucial for the development of wide bandgap semiconductors like GaN and SiC. This allows for more compact designs, better temperature control, and increased reliability in high-performance applications, such as electric vehicles and solar panels. By integrating all these components into a single module, design and assembly processes are simplified, and system performance is maximized, contributing significantly to enhanced energy efficiency.

Our partners from Power Electronics area

Projects from the area

Projects

You have questions or want to participate
in one of our projects?

Contact

You have any questions?
Contact our area manager!

Benjamin Rammel, MSc MSc

Business Development & Innovation Manager

With my master’s studies in sustainable management & Industrial Ecology, I was always interested in companies combining ecological and economic development.

After working as a business developer for foreign subsidiaries of Carinthia’s largest energy supplier, my journey went towards self-employment. While co-founding a start-up, dealing with business development and sales, I obtained a trade license for management consulting to be able to provide companies with holistic support.

Since April 2022 I am part of the SILICON ALPS team as a Business Development and Innovation Manager, taking care of the Area of Excellence Power Electronics, start-up topics and the sustainability funding program Peak Performer in Carinthia.

“Good communication is the bridge between confusion and clarity. And I think there is no bridge that cannot be build.”

benjamin.rammel@silicon-alps.at

+43 664 92 80 429