‘Power’ your pocket

A brief on power electronics

Power electronics is the application of solidstate electronics for the control and conversion of electric power. The task of power electronics is to process and control the electric energy flow by supplying voltages and currents in a form optimally suited for user loads.
Power conversion systems can be categorised based on the type of the input and output power: AC-to-DC (rectifier), DC-to-AC (inverter), DC-to-DC (converter) and AC-to-AC (converter).

While DC-DC converters are used in most mobile devices, AC-DC converters are used when an electronic device (computer, television, etc) is connected to the mains. AC-AC converters are used to change either the voltage level or the frequency (like for international power adaptors and light dimmers). DC-AC converters, on the other hand, are used primarily in UPS or emergency lighting systems.

India’s power story

Let’s delve a little deeper into India’s growth story. Power electronics is very important in the industrial, energy and automotive sectors, among others. As these sectors grow in India, so do the jobs that require training in power electronics. With large investments pouring in from private-sector players like Tata Power, Sterlite Industries (India), Jindal India Thermal Power and Lanco Infratech, power is likely to become one of the largest job-generating sectors in coming years.

According to Dr Bhaskar Bhattacharya, dean-school of engineering, Sharda University, “Many new nuclear power generation plants have been scheduled to start construction. In addition, the manufacturing industry is picking up steam. So electrical equipment is a new area where power electronics engineers are needed.”

He adds, “India is catching up with the West in electrical equipment usage. So for the next few decades, growth will be more than the supply of qualified power electronics engineers.”

Power electronics is a dynamic sector. It is becoming popular owing to its presence, usage and overlap with many other sectors
Many multinational companies in the electronics industry have leveraged India’s manpower advantage to grow in the domestic market as well as source products and services from India. There is a great demand for highly talented workforce, especially for design and engineering services, with good communication skills in technical and management fields. India’s capabilities in IT and engineering make it an attractive destination for sourcing engineering services such as R&D and design.
Power game

The power sector comprises a wide range of firms from fairly large companies to small and medium-scale businesses. Hence this industry requires professionals with varied skillsets to cater to product design and development, project engineering, product management, marketing and sales. The companies in this sector also look for professionals having a superior understanding of electronics, instrumentation, electrical, mechanical and power engineering.

The power sector offers huge opportunities for engineering professionals with multidisciplinary interests such as magnetics and mechanics. Technically satisfying careers can also be pursued in the fields of technical marketing, design engineering, project management, and integration and servicing.