Power Electronics | Master's specialisation

Improve energy conversion and storage efficiency in electronics, catering to the automotive, aerospace, and maritime industries, and beyond.

Power electronics is the muscle of electronic systems. It enables vital functions like converting solar energy into electricity and powering everyday electronic devices, such as screens, cameras, and mobile phones. However, the increasing energy demand poses serious environmental challenges, notably the rise in CO2 emissions. The energy transition relies on advances in power electronics and this offers you a unique opportunity to make an impact. Consider, for example, designing a more efficient and reliable energy storage system for an electric vehicle or a high-voltage grid. What about exploring ways to generate electricity from sustainable sources, such as solar and wind power? If you are interested in the possibilities of improving power conversion and energy storage, the specialisation in Power Electronics is right for you.

What is Power Electronics?

This specialisation focuses on power conversion and energy storage. You will dive into circuit theory and power electronic circuits, such as inverters and other converter technologies. Furthermore, you will explore semiconductor devices based on materials like silicon carbide and gallium nitride, which not only boost converter performance but also reduce size, weight, and response time. You will learn about different aspects of system configuration and energy storage, ranging from the system level to the physical components. For example, you will explore strategies to optimise battery efficiency while reducing the size. Moreover, you will learn to convert diverse energy sources like solar power into usable electrical energy.

Examples of courses you will follow within this specialisation:

Discover the inner workings of switch-mode circuits that convert power between different DC levels or between AC and DC in the course Power Electronics Converters.
In the course Energy Conversion: People, Planet, Prosperity, you will learn how power electronic systems are used in electric transportation and off-grid systems, among other applications.
Learn to mitigate possible unwanted electromagnetic interference in electronic systems in the course Electromagnetic Compatibility.

Thanks to our collaboration with the Twente Centre for Advanced Battery Technology, ASML, Philips, Thales, NXP, Collins Aerospace Ireland, and the Maritime Research Institute Netherlands you will have the unique opportunity to collaborate with and learn from industry experts. You will work on real-world challenges. Consider designing a novel multi-level flying capacitor converter for MRI applications or investigating innovative bidirectional switches for battery charging. Additionally, you will have access to our dedicated labs for electromagnetic compatibility analysis and battery testing.

What will you learn?

As a graduate of the Master's in Electrical Engineering with a specialisation in Power Electronics, you have acquired specific scientific knowledge, skills, and values that will help you in your future career.

Knowledge
After completing this Master’s specialisation, you:
- have a solid knowledge of energy conversion in electronic systems and familiar physical systems;
- have an understanding of the various components used in power electronic systems, such as power semiconductor devices and passives;
- understand unwanted electromagnetic phenomena, interferences, and coupling.
Skills
After successfully finishing this Master’s specialisation, you:
- can design or develop groundbreaking power electronic systems for energy conversion and energy storage;
- can select appropriate and reliable building blocks including circuits and components for specific applications;
- can find possible interference mitigation measures in electronic systems.
Values
After completing this Master’s specialisation, you:
- understand how the design of a power system can minimise energy waste and have a positive environmental impact;
- understand the importance of analysing integrated circuits and exploring semiconductor devices to solve complex power conversion challenges;
- value multidisciplinary approaches to sustainability issues.

Other Master’s

Is this specialisation not exactly what you are looking for? Maybe one of the other specialisations suits you better. You can also find out more about related master’s at the University of Twente:

Master’s in Sustainable Energy Technology

Courses & research