Mitsubishi and ITRI announce power partnership
Mitsubishi Electric has concluded a basic agreement with the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) in Taiwan, for a technical collaboration to develop high-voltage, high-current power conversion systems (PCSs) that use high-efficiency power semiconductors to convert electricity generated from renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power.
Under the agreement, Mitsubishi Electric’s advanced power semiconductor modules and Mitsubishi Electric Taiwan’s marketing capabilities will be combined with ITRI’s technology for efficiently converting high-voltage, high-current electricity.a
The goal is to jointly develop a megawatt-class PCS prototype equipped with the power semiconductor modules for demonstration testing. Through this initiative, Mitsubishi Electric and Mitsubishi Electric Taiwan aim to further expand their power semiconductor module business for PCSs by providing users with design information on PCSs that effectively utilise power semiconductor modules, as well as results obtained from the demonstration tests, as reference information.
ITRI, by providing design documents related to the construction of PCSs incorporating Mitsubishi Electric’s power semiconductor modules as well as results from the demonstration tests, as reference information to Taiwanese PCS manufacturers, aims to support product development by Taiwanese companies in related fields.
Going forward, Mitsubishi Electric and ITRI aim to contribute to the global green transformation (GX) by developing and expanding technology for the efficient conversion of electricity from renewable energy sources.
Jwu-Sheng Hu, executive VP, ITRI, said: “As Taiwan and the world actively pursue a transition to a decarbonised society, the composition of power sources is drastically changing. In the future, the power grid will not only need to accommodate the proliferation of renewable energy but also ensure stability, resilience, and reliability. Integrating green energy efficiently through next-generation power conversion technologies has become a critical challenge for supporting industrial development in the energy transition.
"Furthermore, this technological partnership combines ITRI’s system integration capabilities with Mitsubishi Electric’s power semiconductor technology, enabling a more efficient introduction of green energy into the power grid and supporting the development of advanced high-tech industries. This represents a significant step in Taiwan’s energy transition and further strengthens Taiwan’s role in the global green energy supply chain.”
Masayoshi Takemi, executive officer and group president, semiconductor & device at Mitsubishi Electric, said: “This collaboration is an important step in accelerating the social implementation of renewable energy. By combining our high-efficiency power semiconductor technology with ITRI’s expertise and strengths in system integration, we aim to innovate megawatt-class power conversion systems that incorporate Mitsubishi Electric power semiconductors and thereby contribute to the establishment of a sustainable energy society. Moving forward, Mitsubishi Electric will continue to promote ‘trade-on’ activities that balance solutions to social challenges with business growth through the global promotion of power semiconductor modules, striving towards the realisation of a sustainable society.”
