This makes them an ideal choice for a variety of green energy applications, including electric vehicles, renewable energy systems and power grids.
Compound semiconductors can also enhance the performance of energy storage systems and smart grids and will therefore play an important role in transitioning towards a more sustainable energy system.
The report identifies fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV), which use hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity for the vehicle’s electric motor, as the most promising area for compound semiconductors.
Power electronics components built using compound semiconductors can significantly improve the efficiency, reliability, and overall performance of the FCEV powertrain.
Hydrogen is considered a crucial element in decarbonising UK industry, promoting clean growth and enhancing the country’s long-term energy security.
The UK government’s Hydrogen Strategy sets out an approach to develop a thriving low carbon hydrogen sector in the UK to meet its ambition for 10GW of low carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030.