Wide bandgap semiconductor opportunities in power electronics

Abstract

Wide bandgap (WBG) power electronics is a very small segment of power electronics market (1%) and about 0.05% of the total semiconductor market today. The U.S. has a strong foothold in both the silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) markets today, but there exists an increasing competition from Europe, Japan, and China. This work presents market, value chain and energy savings potential analyses for several major application areas: data centers (uninterruptable power supplies (UPS) and server power supply units (PSU), renewable power generation (Photovoltaic (PV)-solar and wind), motor drives, rail traction, and hybrid/electric vehicles. These application areas hold great opportunities for WBG, stemming from increased government efficiency standards and promoting of alternative energy generation and an existing strong supply chain. Major threats to U.S. WBG integration stem from the loss of government assistance, alternative energy saving technologies, and an increasing threat of foreign manufacturers.