Social impact of power semiconductor devices (Invited Paper)

Silicon IGBTs are now used in all the major sectors of our economy including transportation, consumer, lighting, industrial, medical, and renewable energy generation. The improved efficiency derived from IGBT-based automotive electronic ignition systems, adjustable speed motor drives, and compact fluorescent lamps has reduced gasoline consumption by over 1 Trillion gallons and electricity consumption by over 50,000 Terra-Watt-Hours. The social impact includes consumer cost savings of more than $15 Trillion and carbon dioxide emission reduction by over 75 Trillion pounds.