Addressing Energy Efficiency with HVAC Modernization

Data centers are undergoing major disruptions with AI hardware proliferation as new processor technology is released and power consumption at the xPU increases dramatically. The conventional power distribution architecture needs to be modified to manage this increase. This discussion explores the intense power demand in these data centers, the higher-voltage DC bus required to meet the challenge, and how the Renesas power portfolio can help designers better address the demands on their systems. 

Power electronics is driving major shifts like EV powertrains, AI data centers, and industrial electrification—but module performance and reliability also hinge on “behind-the-scenes” materials. Critical elements like die attach, encapsulants, and thermal interface materials can determine whether a power module withstands years of thermal cycling, high current, and harsh operating conditions. On PowerUP, you’ll be joined by Burcak Conley (Head of Application Engineering for North America & Europe at Henkel) to discuss what’s driving demand and how packaging materials are evolving to meet higher thermal and reliability needs. You’ll also explore where Henkel sees the biggest opportunities ahead in this space.

In the new AI world, reality, usefulness and human characteristics blend causing real technology challenges – especially in robots. They’ve become perceptive. They think. Robots act and engage with humans and the real world around them using predictive intelligence. With the aging population, labor shortages, and increasing labor costs, these traits are becoming increasingly useful as we search to find new ways to automate things, increase productivity, and improve services. In this podcast, we’ll explore the path of physicalizing AI in robotics with the help of hardware and software tools. We’ll also discuss the benefits and challenges of creating robots as the lines between digital intelligence and physical reality blurs.  

HVAC systems are notoriously power hungry, contribution to a major portion of household electricity expenses. Modernizing these systems with wireless connectivity to enable smart remote monitoring and control is key to reducing energy usage. Furthermore, smart HVAC units can be integrated with both local energy grids to reduce energy costs and the broader smart home wireless ecosystem to encourage interoperability

In today's podcast we will discuss how Renesas' GaN offering supports the requirements of different power applications, across sectors such as AI Infrastructure, Solar OBC and DC/DC in Electric vehicles. The power conversion within each of these sectors is shifting towards more power dense, efficient, modular, and intelligent power architectures, with trends toward high-voltage buses, bidirectional energy flow, and fewer conversion stages. Today’s focus will be infrastructure, renewable energy, with a discussion of how the wide-bandgap gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductor can be a key enabling technology to drive these system-level improvements . 

Today’s discussion is on one of the most important transformations happening in the automotive industry: the shift from traditional 12-volt electrical systems to modern 48-volt architectures. For decades, 12V has been the backbone of vehicle electronics, but with the rise of electrification, ADAS, infotainment, and software-defined cars, the industry is moving toward more powerful and efficient solutions.To help us explore this exciting transition, I’m pleased to introduce our guest, Madison Ecklund, Systems Manager in the Automotive Body Electronics and Lighting Systems team at Texas Instruments. Madison brings deep expertise in automotive power management and system design, and is responsible for Zone Control Modules and Power Distribution Boxes. She holds an Electrical Engineering degree from Vanderbilt University. She has experience in EMI/EMC compliance, 48V low voltage architectures, and automotive ethernet in-vehicle network evolution.

Robotics is moving quickly — from drones that deliver packages to humanoids and cobots designed to work safely alongside people. The design of systems is getting more complicated because each type of robot has its own needs for power, safety, and efficiency. We talk to Hirohisa Hori, Senior Manager, Power System Marketing at Renesas Electronics about how these problems are being solved. We look at the different ways that robots charge and use batteries, the difference between 48V and 400V motor drives, and why functional safety is becoming more important even outside of cars. We also look at the evolving landscape of communication protocols inside and outside robots, and why GaN technology is starting to play a central role in next-generation motor control.

As electrification expands across sectors like solar energy, electric vehicles, and smart grids, the focus is shifting toward architectures that are more efficient, more compact, and more intelligent. Trends like fewer conversion stages, higher voltage buses, and bidirectional energy flow are reshaping the design landscape. In this conversation, we speak with Marco Ruggeri, Senior Manager of the Power System Architecture Team and Pietro Scalia, the Head of System Application and Marketing for Power , both of Renesas Electronics. They share insights into Renesas’ single-stage, bidirectional GaN-based microinverter and how it could redefine the future of energy conversion and distributed power systems.

The demand for greater efficiency, density, and reliability in power delivery is driving semiconductor innovation as artificial intelligence reshapes data centers. Renesas Electronics is leveraging its expertise and expanding GaN portfolio to adapt to these changes. In this podcast, Pietro Scalia, Senior Director of Power System Marketing and Architecture at Renesas, discusses the move to AI-optimized infrastructure, the critical role of GaN in data centers and high-reliability environments, and the requirements for broader adoption across automotive, industrial, and consumer markets. We also touch on important architectural decisions and dependability.

Welcome to today’s podcast, where we explore the dynamic world of Industrial MCUs with Marijana Vukicevic, Marketing Director for Industrial MCU at Infineon.Today’s episode is brought to you by our sponsor, Infineon.Today, it’s a pleasure to have a special guest, Marijana Vukicevic, joining us to discuss the evolving role of microcontrollers (MCUs) in high-performance motor control and power conversion applications.As industries shift from analog to digital power systems, MCUs are at the heart of enabling higher efficiency, faster switching, and real-time processing—critical for applications like robotics, industrial automation, and high-density power supplies for data centers. With switching frequencies increasing from 200 kHz to 600 kHz and beyond, the demand for ultra-fast, well-architected microcontrollers is greater than ever.In this episode, we’ll explore how Infineon’s MCUs are addressing these challenges, particularly in robotics and AI-powered motor control. We’ll also dive into the role of GaN-based power systems, the increasing power demands of server racks, and what the future of MCU architecture looks like for next-generation embedded systems.