# Transformers and power electronics: Overview

The silent boxes that change voltage and switch AC to DC

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_power_electronics/overview/

What this tile covers Equipment that changes voltage and switches between AC and DC. Share of use 21% share of final energy use (2024)

Share of world total final energy consumption (about 435 EJ, calculated: motor systems 13,462 TWh are 53% of electricity, so about 25,400 TWh or 91 EJ, and electricity is about 21% of final energy) that passes through this device or is used by this sector, latest year available. Electricity-based devices use electricity's 21% share of final energy (IEA WEO 2025). Overlaps between devices and sectors are allowed and noted. Practically all grid electricity passes through at least one transformer, and a growing share through inverters and rectifiers, so the tile takes electricity's whole share of final energy (21%). Upper bound; overlaps every electrical tile. Source: [World Energy Outlook 2025](https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/9753df19-0a71-422a-b725-012c555763b3/WorldEnergyOutlook2025.pdf), International Energy Agency.

#### Key facts

| **Chain** | AC → DC → AC |
|---|---|

#### Included from the reference tables

- Transformers
- Rectifiers and inverters
- Converters and chargers

#### Linked to the material world
[Cu Copper](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/copper/)[Si Silicon](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/silicon/)[Ga Gallium](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/gallium/)

#### Also in Conversion devices
[ST Steam turbines and thermal power plants](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_steam_turbines/)[CCGT Gas turbines and combined cycle](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_gas_turbines/)[ICE Internal combustion engines and gensets](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_engines/)[Gen Generators and alternators](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_generators/)[Mot Electric motors and drives](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_motors/)[FC Fuel cells](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_fuel_cells/)[Elz Electrolysers](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_electrolysers/)[HP Heat pumps, air conditioning and refrigeration](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_heat_pumps/)[EH Electric heating](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_electric_heat/)[LED Lighting and displays](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_lighting/)[Blr Boilers, furnaces and stoves](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_combustion_heat/)

Explore paths from here
 More on this tile in the tabs above: science and limits, value chain, unit economics, engineering methods, equipment and suppliers.

## Other sections

- [Summary](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_power_electronics/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_power_electronics/correlation/index.md)
- [Science and limits](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_power_electronics/science/index.md)
- [Value chain](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_power_electronics/valuechain/index.md)
- [Unit economics](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_power_electronics/economics/index.md)
- [Engineering methods](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_power_electronics/methods/index.md)
- [Equipment and suppliers](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_power_electronics/equipment/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_power_electronics/links/index.md)