More than ever before, consumers are paying attention to energy ratings and showing a strong interest in alternative technologies such as hybrid vehicles, “green” white goods and LED lighting. In a “from the top down” approach, governments around the world are tightening electronic design criteria by enacting ever more stringent regulations — turning what used to be “nice to have” features into design imperatives. In addition to the ultimate prize of a more inhabitable planet, the green movement is also creating a cornucopia of electronic design opportunities in nascent applications such as solar and wind power, hybrid vehicles, and LED lighting. But green also means radically improving the efficiency of familiar applications such as motors, white goods, and appliances.

This paper focuses on energy efficiency advancements in three innovative areas: solar micro-inverters, LED street lighting, and battery management for hybrid automobiles.