The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers’ (IEEE) Power Electronics Society has announced the launch of the Little Box Challenge, a competition presented by Google and the IEEE, to design a much smaller but higher-power density inverter.
The IEEE says the Little Box Challenge is designed to spur innovation that can drive a 10x or greater reduction in the size of power inverters, devices that convert electricity from direct current into alternating current. These technology advancements can lead to higher efficiency, increased reliability, and lower energy costs. For example, the organization explains, a smaller inverter could help create low-cost microgrids in remote parts of the world, or allow people to keep the lights on during a blackout via their electric car’s battery.
“We are very pleased to present this important initiative together with Google to encourage innovation. By participating in this challenge, members of industry and academia can play a pivotal role in a technological innovation that could have a major impact on the world,” said IEEE PELS President Don Tan.
As part of the competition, individuals selected by IEEE and Google will judge the submissions, technical approach, and final tests of the entrant devices and select a winner. The competition runs through 2015. Visit www.littleboxchallenge.com.