Energy converters, also called energy converters or energy transformation devices, are devices that transform one form of energy into another. Some common types include:
- Electric generators: convert mechanical energy into electrical energy.
Examples include generators in power plants and portable generators.
- Transformers: convert electrical energy from one voltage to another, used primarily in electrical power distribution systems.
- Solar panels: convert solar energy into electrical energy using photovoltaic cells.
- Batteries: convert chemical energy into electrical energy.
- Wind turbines: convert the kinetic energy of wind into electrical energy.
Types of power converters include:
- AC-DC converters (rectifiers): convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC).
Used in power supplies for electronic devices.
- DC-AC Converters (Inverters): Convert direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC).
Common in renewable energy systems and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).
- DC-DC Converters: Change DC voltage levels, used in various applications such as adjusting voltage levels in power supplies and battery-powered devices.
- AC-AC converters: Change the frequency and voltage of alternating current, as in variable frequency drives for motors.
Energy transformation occurs in various forms, and there are several main types:
- Mechanical to electrical: conversion of mechanical energy (as in wind turbines) into electrical energy.
- Chemical to Electric: Conversion of chemical energy (as in batteries) into electrical energy.
- Thermal to electrical: conversion of thermal energy (as in thermoelectric generators) into electrical energy.
- From solar to electric: Conversion of solar energy into electrical energy (using photovoltaic panels).
- Electric to mechanical: conversion of electrical energy into mechanical energy (as in electric motors).
Commonly used converters include:
- Rectifiers: convert alternating current to direct current.
- Inverters: Convert DC to AC.
- Charge controllers: regulate voltage and current from renewable sources to batteries.
- DC-DC Converters: Adjust voltage levels in DC circuits.
- Frequency converters: Change the frequency of alternating current for specific applications.
Energy transfer can occur in many different ways, with these five examples illustrating different methods:
- Conduction: heat transfer by direct contact, such as a metal rod heated at one end.
- Convection: The transfer of heat by the movement of a fluid, such as boiling water where hot water rises and colder water sinks.
- Radiation: transfer of energy through electromagnetic waves, such as heat from the sun warming the Earth.
- Mechanical work: transfer of energy by applied force over a distance, such as lifting an object with a crane.
- Electric transmission: transfer of electrical energy via cables from power plants to homes and businesses.