User:DlBall

Dr. Jih-Sheng (Jason) Lai
The pioneer researcher of power electronics, based at Virginia Tech.

Power electronics devices convert electricity to present-use standards, such as 120volts AC and 240volts AC (such as in US homes). Power electronics are a critical factor to renewable energy efficiency and low first cost. An example of power electronics: a home-based solar power array creates DC electricity which varies in voltage and current based on sunlight intensity. This DC power must be converted to a steady form, or standard, which can be used in the house. United States homes use 120VAC and 240VAC and have requirements of current (measured in amps, or amperes). An inverter changes DC into AC.

Intelligent power electronics are DSP-based (digital signal processing), meaning an embedded microcontroller monitors the power coming from the renewable source (in this example, solar), and ideally supplies a steady-state output of 120volts AC (60Hz),or 240volts AC (60Hz) for use in the home.