An eye-opening collection of case studies illustrating the real-world application of electronics, electrical, and computer engineering principles
In Real-World Electrical Engineering Case Studies, experienced engineer Palanichamy Manikandan delivers a collection of engineering case studies that illustrate the hands-on application of best engineering practices. Each standalone case study offers effective examples of solving difficult engineering problems in a unique setting.
The case studies included within follow a common, intuitively organized format. Each begins with a brief synopsis outlining the example’s subdiscipline, industry, and stakeholders. It then moves on to discuss the case’s background and technical details, followed by a succinct problem statement, a detailed analysis and solution, the real-world outcome and an evaluation of the attempted solution, and key takeaways and teaching notes for instructors.
Readers will also find:
- Proposed discussion questions, assignments, and activities for students
- Comprehensive explorations of relevant engineering principles, theories, and methodologies
- Practical discussions of the limitations of each case study and where its lessons should not be applied
- A useful tool to help bridge the gap between engineering theory and real-world practice
Perfect for professional engineers and engineering consultants, Real-World Electrical Engineering Case Studies will also benefit science journalists and communicators, researchers, academics, and entrepreneurs.
Table of Contents:
About the Author xiii
Acknowledgements xv
Introduction 1
The Engineering Gap 1
Motivation and Learning Outcomes 2
Methodology and Chapter Structure 7
Scope and Limitations 9
Organization of the Book 9
References 10
Part 1 Renewable Energies and Power Infrastructure 13
1 BorWin2: HVDC Breakthrough for Offshore Wind 15
1.1 Bridging Offshore Power 15
1.2 Transmission Technology Considerations 18
1.2.1 The Evolution of HVDC Technology 18
1.2.2 The Germans' HVDC Challenge 21
1.3 Think and Solve 24
1.4 Conclusion and Key Take-Away 25
1.5 Discussion Points 26
1.6 Limitations of the Case Study 27
2 GreenHyScale Denmark: Large-Scale Green Hydrogen Engineering 31
2.1 Synopsis 31
2.2 Background and Case Scenario 32
2.2.1 The Evolution of Renewable Energies 33
2.2.2 The Road to Green Hydrogen 35
2.2.3 The Ambition of the GreenHyScale Project 40
2.3 Think and Solve 43
2.4 From Vision to Reality 45
2.5 Discussion Points 47
2.6 Limitations of the Case Study 48
3 DONG to Ørsted: Viking Longship Green Hydrogen Strategy 53
3.1 From Black to Green 53
3.2 Transforming Offshore Wind into Maritime Gold 54
3.2.1 The Viking Longship Strategy 55
3.2.2 The Triple Helix of Innovation 57
3.2.2.1 Gigastack 58
3.2.2.2 Green Fuels for Denmark: The Maritime Pioneer 60
3.2.2.3 SeaH2Land: The Cross-Border Pioneer 62
3.2.3 The Spectrum of Hydrogen Production 63
3.3 Think and Solve 67
3.4 Future Pathways for Large-Scale Green Hydrogen Projects 69
3.5 Discussion Points 71
3.6 Limitations of the Case Study 72
4 First Solar's Cadmium Telluride Revolution: Disrupting Silicon Dominance 75
4.1 Synopsis 75
4.2 The Evolution of Solar Power 76
4.2.1 From Early Discoveries to the Photovoltaic Effect 76
4.2.2 The Emergence of a New Contender: The Thin-Film Technology 80
4.2.3 First Solar's Entry into the Market 83
4.3 Challenges in Scaling CdTe Solar Technology 86
4.4 Think and Solve 87
4.5 Conclusion and Key Takeaways 88
4.6 Discussion Points 89
4.7 Limitations of the Case Study 90
5 Blacksmith to Smart Wind: Vestas' AI Transformation 93
5.1 Synopsis 93
5.2 Background and Case Scenario 94
5.2.1 From Agricultural Equipment to Wind Energy Pioneer 94
5.2.2 The Smart Wind Revolution – Technology and Implementation 100
5.2.3 AI and IoT Sensor Integration Architecture 104
5.3 Analysis and Problem Statement 109
5.4 Think and Solve 109
5.5 Conclusion and Key Takeaways 110
5.6 Discussion Points 112
5.7 Limitations of the Case Study 112
6 London Array: NEXANS' Subsea Cable Breakthrough 117
6.1 The Story of the London Array Offshore Wind Farm 117
6.2 Can Nexans Step Up to This Formidable Challenge? 120
6.3 Background on Power Systems and Cable Technology 122
6.3.1 Cable Technology and Optimization 123
6.4 The Technical Conundrum of Power Delivery Through Subsea 125
6.5 Think and Solve 127
6.5.1 AC vs. DC Transmission Considerations 128
6.6 Conclusion and Key Takeaways 130
6.7 Discussion Points 133
6.8 Limitations of the Case Study 134
7 Tesla's Approach to Grid-Scale Battery Storage 139
7.1 Synopsis 139
7.2 Background and Case Scenario 140
7.2.1 Overview of Battery Energy Storage Systems 140
7.2.2 Evolution of Grid-Scale Energy Storage (2010–2017) 148
7.2.3 Rising Renewables Driving Grid Storage Demand 150
7.2.4 Implementation and Performance of Hornsdale Power Reserve 151
7.2.5 Technical Challenges and Future Considerations 153
7.3 Think and Solve 155
7.4 Conclusion and Key Takeaways 157
7.5 Discussion Points 158
7.6 Limitations of the Case Study 158
Part 2 Semiconductors, Circuits, and Connectivity 165
8 TSMC's N3 Breakthrough: Beyond Moore's Law 167
8.1 Breaking Barriers at 3 nm 167
8.2 Creating the Leading Edge 168
8.2.1 What Is a 3 nm Process Wafer and How Does It Work? 168
8.2.2 Moore's Law and Its Influence on TSMC's N3 Technology 169
8.2.3 Process Roadmap of Top Semiconductor Foundries, 2014–2026 171
8.2.4 Strategic Intellectual Property and Patent Leadership 172
8.3 Context for Analysis – Mitigating Power Leakage in Transistors 173
8.3.1 Transistor Geometry and Leakage Current 174
8.3.2 Applying Moore's Law to Power Leakage in Transistors 176
8.4 Think and Solve 176
8.5 Conclusion and Key Takeaways 177
8.6 Discussion Points 179
8.7 Limitations of the Case Study 180
9 Nordic Semiconductor's Ultra-Low-Power Revolution: IoT Energy Trilemma 183
9.1 The Challenge of IoT Power Consumption 183
9.2 Powering IoT with Ultra-Low Energy 184
9.2.1 Trade-Offs in Wireless Connectivity 187
9.3 Optimizing IoT Connectivity: FinFET Technology and Dynamic Power Management 189
9.4 Engineering Challenges of Power-Efficient Wireless Communication 190
9.5 Think and Solve 191
9.6 Achieving Power-Efficient Wireless Communication 192
9.7 Discussion Points 194
9.8 Limitations of the Case Study 195
10 Intel's 3D Transistor Stacking: Vertical Scaling Breakthrough 199
10.1 Synopsis 199
10.2 Background and Case Scenario 200
10.2.1 The Roadblocks of Traditional Scaling 201
10.2.2 A Small Switch That Changed the World 202
10.2.3 From Shrinking to Stacking 204
10.2.4 A New Dimension in Semiconductor Design 207
10.3 Think and Solve 208
10.4 Conclusion and Key Takeaways 210
10.5 Discussion Points 211
10.6 Limitations of the Case Study 211
11 AMD-NVIDIA GPU Revolution: Power and Performance Dominance 215
11.1 Synopsis 215
11.2 Background and Case Scenario 215
11.2.1 Origins and Milestones of GPU Technology 216
11.2.1.1 Advancements and Technological Breakthroughs 218
11.2.2 AMD and NVIDIA: Shaping the GPU Landscape 220
11.2.3 The Race for Power Efficiency: Stakes and Significance 223
11.3 Think and Solve 225
11.4 Conclusion and Key Takeaways 227
11.5 Discussion Points 227
11.6 Limitations of the Case Study 228
12 Silicon Carbide Breakthrough: STMicroelectronics' EV Leadership 231
12.1 Synopsis 231
12.2 From Discovery to Power Electronics Revolution 232
12.2.1 Market Evolution and Industry Drivers 235
12.2.2 STMicroelectronics' Strategic Implementation 239
12.3 Think and Solve 244
12.4 Conclusion and Key Takeaways 245
12.5 Discussion Points 246
12.6 Limitations of the Case Study 247
13 Ericsson's 5G Infrastructure: Mobile to Connected Future 251
13.1 Synopsis 251
13.2 Background and Case Scenario 252
13.2.1 Historical Context of 1G-6G 252
13.2.2 Ericsson's 5G Deployment Initiatives 260
13.2.3 Challenges and Influencing Factors 264
13.3 Think and Solve 268
13.4 Conclusion and Key Takeaways 270
13.5 Discussion Points 270
13.6 Limitations of the Case Study 271
References 271
14 Huawei's Autonomous Networks: AI Innovation Amid Global Tensions 277
14.1 Synopsis 277
14.2 The Growing Complexity of Telecom Networks 278
14.2.1 Historical Context of Telecom Networks 278
14.2.2 Huawei's AI-Driven Telecom Network Optimization System 282
14.2.3 Technologies, Challenges, and Key Enablers 288
14.3 Think and Solve 291
14.4 Conclusion and Key Takeaways 292
14.5 Discussion Points 293
14.6 Limitations of the Case Study 294
15 SpaceX Starlink: Revolutionizing Satellite Internet Through LEO Innovation 299
15.1 Synopsis 299
15.2 From Outer Space to Every Place: The Development of Satellite Internet 300
15.2.1 Challenges of Traditional Geostationary Satellites 300
15.2.2 Development of MEO and LEO Satellites 302
15.2.3 SpaceX and Reusable Rocket Technology 306
15.2.4 Engineering Principles Applied 309
15.3 Think and Solve 312
15.4 Conclusion and Key Takeaways 313
15.5 Discussion Points 314
15.6 Limitations of the Case Study 315
Appendix: Answers to Multiple Choice Questions 321
Index 329
About the Author :
MANIKANDAN PALANICHAMY, PHD, is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Engineering, Østfold University College, Norway, with 20 years of expertise in engineering and technologies including green energy, IoT systems, and sensor networks. He combines cutting-edge research with 12+ years of post-doctoral teaching & research excellence, driving innovation in sustainable technology and smart engineering solutions.
