Keynote Speech

Power Electronics - Its Impact on Energy and Environment

Prof. Bimal K. Bose
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
The University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN 37996-2100, USA
Tel- (865) 974-8398
Fax: (865) 974-5483
E-mail: bbose@utk.edu
 

Abstract: Energy has been the life-blood for continuing progress of human civilization. Since the beginning of industrial revolution around two centuries ago, the global energy consumption has increased dramatically to accelerate our living standard, particularly in the industrialized nations. Par-capita energy consumption, particularly in electrical form, has been a barometer of a nation’s economic prosperity. Today, the major portion of world’s electrical energy is generated by fossil fuel and nuclear power plants. Fossil fuels have limited resources, and are expected to last no more than two hundred years. Besides, burning of fossil fuels creates environmental pollution problems that causes global warming. Global warming, at present, is a very serious concern in our society because of its disastrous consequences in the long run. The nuclear energy is free from environmental pollution, but it has safety and waste disposal problems. The challenge before us: How can we continuously improve our living standard, but at the same time, maintain cleaner and safer environment? Increasing emphasis on renewable energy sources, to some extent, solve the above problems, but conservation of energy with more efficient use of electricity is the definite way to mitigate these problems. Power electronics can play a major role in global energy conservation in addition to its traditional role in industrial automation and energy systems.
The presentation will begin with a broad introduction of energy generation, depletion of fuel resources, environmental pollution and energy conservation scenarios. There will be particular emphasis on global warming problem. The important role of power electronics in energy conservation will be reviewed in broad perspective. The application examples will include wind energy, photovoltaic, fuel cell and hybrid vehicles.

Brief Biography of the Speaker:
Dr. Bimal K. Bose has held the position of Condra Chair of Excellence (Endowed Chair) in Power Electronics at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville since 1987, where he was responsible for teaching and research program in power electronics and motor drives. Concurrently, he served as Distinguished Scientist (1989-2000) and Chief Scientist (1987-1989) of EPRI-Power Electronics Applications Center, Knoxville,TN. Prior to this, he was a Research Engineer in the GE Corporate R & D Center (now GE Global Research Center), Schenectady, NY, for 11 years (1976-1987), an Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, for five years (1971-1976), and a faculty member at Bengal Engineering and Science University for 11 years (1960-1971). He is specialized in power electronics and motor drives, specially including power converters, PWM techniques, microcomputer/DSP control, electric/hybrid vehicle drives, renewable energy systems, and artificial intelligence (expert system, fuzzy logic and neural network) applications in power electronics and motor drives. He has been power electronics consultant in a large number of industries. He holds a Honorary Professorship in Shanghai University (1991), China University of Mining and Technology (1995), X’ian Mining University (1998) , Huazhong University of Science and Technology (2002), and Honorary Adviser of Beijing Power Electronics R & D Center (1990). He has authored around 200 papers and holds 21 U.S. patents. He has authored/edited seven books in power electronics: Power Electronics and Motor Drives – Advances and Trends (Academic Press, 2006), Modern Power Electronics and AC Drives (Prentice-Hall, 2002), Power Electronics and AC Drives (Prentice-Hall, 1986), Power Electronics and Variable Frequency Drives (Wiley/IEEE Press, 1997), Modern Power Electronics (IEEE Press, 1992), Microcomputer Control of Power Electronics and Drives (IEEE Press, 1997), and Adjustable Speed AC Drive Systems (IEEE Press, 1981). He has given tutorials, keynote addresses and invited seminars extensively throughout the world.
Dr. Bose has served as a Distinguished Lecturer of IEEE in both the IAS and IES, and is now Vice-Chair of the IAS Distinguished Lecturer Program. Currently, he is a member of IEEE USA Energy Policy. He is a recipient of a number of awards, including IEEE Power Electronics Society Newell Award (2005), IEEE Millennium Medal (2000), IEEE Meritorius Achievement Award in Continuing Education (1997), IEEE Lamme Gold Medal (1996), IEEE-IES Eugene Mittelmann Award (for lifetime achievement in power electronics and motor drives) (1994), IEEE Region 3 Outstanding Engineer Award (1994), IEEE-IAS Outstanding Achievement Award (1993), Calcutta University Mouat Gold Medal (1970), GE Silver Patent Medal (1986), GE Publication Award (1985), and a number of IEEE prize paper awards. He also received the Distinguished Alumnus Award (2006) from Bengal Engineering and Science University.