Advances in power electronics using modular, scalable, and adaptable power electronics building blocks can builds economies of scale to help domestic suppliers grow while lowering costs.
September 10, 2026
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Advances in power electronics, also known as “solid-state” technologies, have led to countless innovations in consumer electronics, transportation, and industrial applications. The incredible speed and precise control enabled by power electronics also create enhanced opportunities for how electricity is generated, delivered, and managed.
Power electronics control and transform electricity to make it useful for modern digital technologies. For example, when you charge your phone or laptop, power electronics change the 120-volt alternating current (AC) power from the wall outlet into low-voltage direct current (DC) for its battery. It rapidly switches the current on and off so your device charges safely without getting too hot.
When used in the U.S. electricity grid, power electronics can regulate voltage and frequency or convert between AC and DC, allowing new energy resources to connect safely, stabilizing power flow during demand shifts, and reducing energy losses across transmission lines. Broader use of these technologies can help improve electricity affordability–by reducing transmission and distribution losses, even by just 1%, the U.S. could save more than $100 million per year.
As DOE’s front-line organization for advancing power electronics technology, the Office of Electricity (OE) will convene members of the domestic power electronics ecosystem through the Grid Power and Control Electronics (Grid PACE) consortium at its 2026 Annual Meeting on Sept. 23-24 in Washington, D.C. Through this event, Grid PACE aims to build a cohesive domestic ecosystem by aligning utility needs, equipment manufacturing capabilities, and federal investments.
Currently, grid power electronics are often tailor-made for a particular application or customer site, and new equipment vendors are rapidly entering the market. Variations in equipment designs and proprietary controls present challenges with interoperability, maintenance, and manufacturing scalability. OE’s Transformer Resilience and Advanced Components (TRAC) and Energy Storage Programs support innovations in converter designs, devices, modules, packaging, and passives. These programs leverage other DOE investments in semiconductor manufacturing and advancements for non-grid applications.
The U.S. relies heavily on imports for converters and inverters (93% in 2020), creating supply chain vulnerabilities and cybersecurity risks. Stronger alignment across the power electronics ecosystem is essential to building a reliable, secure grid.
To address this, OE’s Solid State Power Substation Technology Roadmap outlines a vision for common converter configurations using modular, scalable, and adaptable power electronics building blocks. This approach builds economies of scale, helping domestic suppliers grow while lowering costs. Accelerating these innovations requires advanced modeling and simulation tools, testbeds, and real-world demonstrations to showcase their value.
At the same time, surging load growth from data centers and electrification offers a prime opportunity to advance medium-voltage power electronics (up to 34.5 kV)—such as solid-state transformers (SSTs)—and strengthen America's grid supply chain.
Together, these efforts will help unlock the full potential of grid power electronics. Join OE at the Grid PACE Annual Meeting to help shape the future of the grid.
