Power Electronics — Historical Perspective and My Experience [History]

Power electronics is a technology that deals with the conversion and control of electrical power with high-efficiency switching mode electronic devices for applications such as dc and ac power supplies, electrochemical processes, heating and lighting control, electronic welding, power line volt-ampere reactive (VAR) and harmonic compensators, high-voltage dc (HVdc) systems, flexible ac transmission systems, photovoltaic and fuel cell power conversion, high-frequency (HF) heating, and motor drives. We can define the 21st century as the golden age of power electronics applications after the technology evolution stabilized in the latter part of the past century with major innovations.