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Data Insights Innovation in power: multi-port power converters

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However, not all innovations are equal and nor do they follow a constant upward trend. Instead, their evolution takes the form of an S-shaped curve that reflects their typical lifecycle from early emergence to accelerating adoption, before finally stabilizing and reaching maturity.

Identifying where a particular innovation is on this journey, especially those that are in the emerging and accelerating stages, is essential for understanding their current level of adoption and the likely future trajectory and impact they will have.

45+ innovations will shape the power industry

According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which plots the S-curve for the power industry using innovation intensity models built on over 83,000 patents, there are 45+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.

Within the emerging innovation stage, variable speed gas turbines and HVDC transmission are the disruptive technologies that are in the early stages of application and should be tracked closely. Perovskite photoactive layering, multi-port power converters, and power distribution control system are some of the accelerating innovation areas, where adoption has been steadily increasing. Among maturing innovation areas are wind turbine gearbox and offshore wind turbine pre-assembly, which are now well established in the industry.

Innovation S-curve for the power industry

Multi-port power converters is a key innovation area in power

The main goal of a multi-port power converter is to connect various power sources with inputs and outputs through a single power converter to allow power flow between each port. Multi-port power converters are intended to eliminate redundant and superfluous power conversion stages as well as excess semiconductor switching devices that are commonly seen in traditional topologies. These devices are designed to provide high efficiency power conversion, while maximizing heat dissipation performance.

GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies. According to GlobalData, there are 290 companies, spanning technology vendors, established power companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of multi-port power converters.

Key players in multi-port power converters – a disruptive innovation in the power industry

‘Application diversity’ measures the number of applications identified for each patent. It broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.   

‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of countries each patent is registered in. It reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.  

Patent volumes related to multi-port power converters

Hitachi is one of the leading patent filers in multi-port power converters. Hitachi is a multi-national conglomerate with presence in information technology, electronics, power systems, social infrastructure, industrial systems, and construction machinery. The company manufactures and sells information and telecom systems, power systems, social infrastructure and industrial systems, construction machinery, electronic systems and equipment, automotive systems, and smart life and eco-friendly systems. Some other key patent filers in the multi-port power converter space include Siemens, LS Electric, and ABB.

In terms of application diversity, Midea Group leads the pack, while Eaton and SEMIKRON International stood in the second and third positions, respectively. By means of geographic reach, Eaton held the top position, followed by Illinois Tool Works and Mahle.

To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the power industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Power.

GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.

GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.