Professor Bantval Jayant Baliga, the creator of this technology, became one of the winners of the Millennium Technology Prize in 2024 for his innovation. This small transistor, known as a power transistor, has significantly reduced energy consumption in various industries, including KONE elevators.
What is an IGBT?
As a fundamental innovation in energy management and efficiency, power transistor technology has played a vital role in reducing electricity consumption and supporting renewable energy. This small chip, first designed by Professor Baliga in the 1980s, has had a wide-ranging impact on industries ranging from elevators and electric vehicles to clean energy systems.
A major breakthrough in elevator energy efficiency
The power transistor was invented by Professor Baliga in the 1980s and has since had a significant impact on reducing electricity consumption worldwide. This innovation, which has become a key standard in various industries, is now used in KONE elevator variable frequency drives.
This technology has reduced the energy consumption of elevators from more than 10 kWh in the 1990s to less than 3 kWh. This achievement was achieved by combining power transistor-based drives with KONE EcoDisc® technology and the use of LED lighting and standby mode.
The key role of the power transistor (IGBT) in sustainability and renewable energy
The power transistor plays an important role not only in elevators, but also in many renewable energy systems. This technology can convert DC energy generated by solar panels or wind turbines into AC energy, which is essential for use in homes and industries.
Professor Baliga explains: “All renewable energy systems rely on power transistors in some way. This technology is used in devices such as electric cars, refrigerators and even the space shuttle. Its role in supporting a sustainable future is undeniable.”
Sustainability at the heart of KONE’s strategy
KONE has always emphasized designing equipment with a focus on sustainability. Sato Virkonen, the company’s head of sustainability research and development, believes that each new design should be more energy efficient than its predecessor.
“We design our equipment for the entire life of the building. This means that every new product should be sustainable for the next 50 years,” he says.
The approach is part of KONE’s overall strategy to reduce carbon emissions and support the development of sustainable cities.