While the pandemic continues to raise concerns, especially for the electronics industry, it could also be seen as a new opportunity for wide-bandgap semiconductors, which are less affected than traditional semiconductors.
The year 2021 saw many companies put the pillars in place to secure semiconductor quality and efficiency to meet the demands of a new energy industry, as well as scale the manufacturing stream to make up for component shortages. While the pandemic continues to raise concerns, especially for the electronics industry, it could also be seen as a new opportunity for wide-bandgap semiconductors, which are less affected than traditional semiconductors.
The year 2022 will be critical for green development and the fight against climate change. The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy will accelerate in the next year, with a strong demand for long-life energy-storage systems and an advanced semiconductor ecosystem for the next generation of power solutions. Advancements in fusion energy will allow us to think outside the box in the distant future, when energy need will still be vital. Andrew Holland, CEO of the Fusion Industry Association, said that getting to the point when a fusion reaction produces more energy than it consumes is akin to finding the Holy Grail of energy.
The time has come to replace fossil fuels with carbon-neutral energy generated by renewable sources, including wind, solar, and hydroelectric power, therefore assisting in the fight against global warming. The next few years will be crucial for the survival of the planet. Making the switch to green energy is now more important than ever.
Technology gives us all the resources to implement renewable energy, but the question, as pointed out by Hassane El-Khoury, CEO, president, and member of the board of directors at onsemi, is with what mindset we will use it and how we will reduce waste and consumption.
We live in a world where it is vital to address these issues. The first step is to acknowledge that this is essential, that it is the correct thing to do, and that we will take action. That means considering and promoting our climate mission’s awareness and impact. What compromises will we have to make? What about their long-term viability?
Electric mobility is a crucial driver of the energy revolution, and it is predicted to boost demand for renewable-energy–generated power. As a result, the demand for power-system flexibility is rapidly increasing. As the smart grid and renewable energy become more prevalent, energy storage will become increasingly important in the sector. Many technologies will find a place for backup and time-shifting applications as energy-storage prices decline. According to Tsung-Tsong Wu, Taiwan’s Minister of Science and Technology and deputy convener of the Executive Yuan’s Board of Science and Technology, “There is no question that the future of the chip and related smart sensors will lead to even more electronic and less mechanical automobiles.”
The resources on this earth are scarce, and we must all contribute by living in a connected world. That is why, as a result of the different interviews I’ve conducted, I’ve learned that when we think about the future, we must all integrate and engage. Technology, nature, and society must all be connected. “Teamwork is the ability to work together towards a common vision.” All of this involves innovation, which is defined as learning to do something better than you did the day before. Thus, every improvement, no matter how small, counts as innovation. A good example of innovation is changing the way we operate. “Doing your best today is the best preparation for tomorrow.” Everyone’s involvement is needed for innovation. If you can innovate, you can go to a problem, confront it, and then fix it, and no matter what the difficulties are in five years, we’ll be able to accomplish that and be ready for future climate-change challenges. The most important thing is to connect what you’ve learned to what you’re doing, which means appreciating your job, learning something new every day, and then putting it into practice. And, as Steve Jobs put it, “your work will take up a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is doing a job you consider amazing.” And the only way to do a great job is to enjoy it. The key to change is to devote all of your energy to building the new rather than fighting the old.
The adoption of open-source platforms will accelerate the technology paradigm shift. We live on a planet that is “immersed” in untapped energy, and we are still trying to figure out (even though we have made great efforts) how to make the most of it. The sun is the only safe source of energy. The 4-billion-year–old star that heats and illuminates our planet and determines the life cycles of all organisms on Earth is also an infinite source of energy. We need to focus on new business models, new design tools, and market regulation that can increase investment. Only by investing in research will it be possible to continue to reduce energy costs, improve the performance of energy systems, and invest in systems that integrate renewable energy sources. Innovation must also play its part: It is vital to bring to light and develop new technologies that will help us move away from coal in a reasonable timeframe. The hope is that we will continue to invest in new renewable technologies that will give us a more sustainable future.
We all need to feel a part in the fight against climate change. One of the first steps is to save energy. It is insufficient for governments and nations to implement energy conversion programs that gradually shift away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy sources.
Efforts to improve energy efficiency and save energy are critical, and each of us has a responsibility to play in these areas.One of the most difficult tasks we face is adapting to climate change.
Every company, government, and individual must contribute because the choices we make now will shape our world in 50 or 100 years.
