A revolutionary partial power converter technology, designed to optimize energy efficiency in complex electrical systems, has been granted a patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. This groundbreaking innovation was developed by researchers at the Advanced Center for Electrical and Electronic Engineering (AC3E).

The team behind this technology includes Dr. Samir Kouro, the Center’s principal investigator, along with Dr. Hugues Renaudineau, Dr. Sebastian Rivera, and Dr. Freddy Flores.

For years, these converters have been a focus of research at AC3E. They are designed to process only a fraction of the total power within an electrical system, which significantly reduces losses, costs, and equipment volume. This makes them more efficient and immensely valuable for the global energy transition.

“This newly patented technology is unique because it features semiconductor reconfiguration systems that allow for voltage and current control in circuits interconnecting direct current systems,” explained Dr. Samir Kouro. “They play a key role in optimizing the power of photovoltaic systems, thereby maximizing generated energy.”

This patent highlights how academic research is leading to applied innovations with the potential to impact both society and industry. The potential commercialization of this technology will enable national and international companies to utilize smaller, more efficient, and more cost-effective converters.

“This achievement reflects the quality of work being done in universities and research centers across Chile, and demonstrates how research and development can generate a real impact on the national economy,” stated Dr. Kouro. “Our country possesses the human capital and capabilities to generate high-impact knowledge and technology that can contribute to diversifying the national economy, making it more competitive internationally.”