Energy

As engineers continuously increase the power to density ratio and require new efficiency standards, the design of today's power supplies is being driven in an innovative way. Meeting these requirements requires significant technology advancements in system architecture, improvements in devices and materials, increased topology optimization for thermal management, and packaging design enhancements for miniaturization.

Proper operational reliability is dependent on having clean and reliable power rails to adequately run necessary internal systems. End-use applications may vary widely from medical imaging to welding equipment. However, the need for proper conversion of source supply power to their respective voltage and current requirements is a shared necessity.

Renewable Energy

Alternative energy applications require components and devices that can operate efficiently while serving the need for sustainable energy sources. Solar power, hydroelectric energy, geothermal power, wind energy—these are just a few alternative energy sources where the equipment used demands the best in electronic components to operate efficiently.

At TTI, you can find the right parts for your alternative energy applications from world-class suppliers like Amphenol, KEMET, Molex and more. Additionally, TTI has partnered with top experts, reporting on the latest industry trends to keep customers like you informed on alternative energy developments.

Applications for Renewable Energy

Solar
Wind
Hydroelectrical
Geothermal
Biomass

Storage

Factors such as the growing renewable energy sector, supportive government policies, plans for energy storage systems (ESS) and the improvement of energy storage economics are expected to be the major drivers for the energy storage market in the coming years. The residential sector is expected to dominate the energy storage market as the usage of energy storage systems is gaining on account of a growing need to offset the power blackouts, which result from growth in power demand from the existing power infrastructure.

The successful adoption and utilization of the next generation of battery-equipped products rely on new technologies to continue evolving. A smart battery management system (BMS) is one of the essential components to those products. Not only does a BMS measure the state of batteries accurately but also ensures safe operation and prolongs battery life during charging and discharging. The accurate estimation of the state of charge of an energy source using batteries is a very challenging task because each battery technology has its unique profiles based on time-variance, non-linear charging, and discharging.

Each BMS is designed and used to manage all control and command operations of the battery pack and energy transfer from the battery pack to the powertrain or load. It also equalizes the energy drawn from and added to individual cells, while diagnosing, evaluating, and reporting faults. ESS technology is still a prominent challenge for many industries such as residential storage systems. A well-designed BMS helps provide safe operating conditions that are essential for all applications.

Applications for Storage

Battery Management
UPS Systems
Residential Energy Storage

Inverters

An inverter changes direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). Circuits that perform the opposite function, converting AC to DC, are called rectifiers. Power inverters are primarily used in electrical power applications where high currents and high voltages are present.

Both input and output voltage can vary depending on the specific application. Input voltages typically range from 12V (vehicle battery system), up to 400V for photovoltaic solar panels, or even higher for high-voltage direct-current power transmission systems. Inverters are used to run machines, equipment, as well as other residential and commercial electrical appliances. Unlike traditional generators, the inverter is usually smaller, lighter, and saves more energy.

Applications for inverters include providing a source of household power for electrical equipment in RVs, cars, work trucks, and boats. Inverters/Chargers are used to provide backup AC power in an emergency, such as a power outage or for remote work sites. Medical-grade inverters/chargers are used in healthcare environments and ambulances. Grid-tied inverters are designed to feed into the electric power distribution system.

Applications for Inverters