Trends in switch-mode power supplies – how far we've come

The efficiency of switch-mode power supplies impacts energy use,
from the consumption of the smart-phones in our pockets, to the
photovoltaics powering our grids. Pushing that efficiency beyond
today's 98% has an important role to play in fighting climate
change - and energy costs. While the last 40 years have brought
many advances in semiconductors, there is an increasing need for
investment to improve the capabilities and properties of magnetic
materials too. Prof. Marco Jung talks to Dr. Peter Wallmeier,
Senior Director R&D at Delta Energy Systems, about the issues
in episode 4 of the"Sound On. Power On." podcast. They also discuss
the important opportunity presented by the combination of reactive
loading, renewable power sources and storage in alleviating the
voltage and frequency deviations that result from the increasing
stresses on our modern, complex and interconnected power grids.