Will European power project threaten the UK’s efforts?
The market for industrial power components is believed to be worth $130billion a year and to be growing at rates of in excess of 10%. The UK has a strong position in the sector and has the opportunity to reinforce its position.
This week sees the launch of Powerelectronics UK, a cross sectoral initiative designed to highlight the opportunities. It's been 18 months since a Government report identified power electronics as a UK strength. But the report also highlighted that the emergence of disruptive technologies [could] rapidly transform sectors of the market in which the UK has existing strengths. UK industry, it advised, needed to keep pace, even with incremental innovation.
It looks like competition may be building from Europe. The Enhanced Power Pilot Line project is bringing together 32 partners from six countries (the UK is not involved) to research and develop everything from materials to manufacturing.
It would be a shame if this project results in the kind of 'disruptive technology' of which the Government report warned.
