SiC power modules will enable the creation of smaller, faster, and more effective electronic devices, and are expected to revolutionize solar and wind energy technology, as well as future generations of electric and hybrid cars.
The transatlantic collaboration between Danfoss and GE will be part of the New York Power Electronics Manufacturing Consortium (NY-PEMC) in Utica, New York. This public-private partnership consortium, along with other similar programs, was established in 2014 by the state of New York with a total investment exceeding $20 billion to create high-tech jobs.
In early 2018, DSP will begin its SiC power module packaging operations in Utica, and hundreds of jobs are expected to be created over the next few years. GE will supply SiC chips for these modules.
The news was announced on Friday, March 24, by Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of New York State, which is funding all startup costs as well as the production facilities. Danfoss will lease the facilities and equipment from New York State and will occupy the entire center located in Utica, which includes two cleanrooms, laboratories, offices, and a logistics space.
“This is a very important step for Danfoss, as the U.S. is our largest market and fundamental to our business. The collaboration with GE has a huge strategic impact for Danfoss: it is important for our future growth plans in the U.S., and we have high expectations for development in this highly specialized area,” said Kim Fausing, Executive Vice President and COO of Danfoss.
GE, which has 330,000 employees and is one of the world's largest industrial companies, has spent millions of dollars developing ultra-thin SiC chips to be used in Danfoss power modules.
Danfoss Silicon Power, headquartered in Flensburg, Germany, is part of the Danfoss Group, which has more than 25,000 employees worldwide. Danfoss Silicon Power is a leading manufacturer of power modules, which are used in a wide variety of applications in the industrial, renewable energy, and automotive sectors. The company has supplied power modules to more than 25 million cars, mostly in Europe.
"Danfoss Silicon Power is achieving a privileged position as the only independent manufacturer of SiC modules in the US, and GE has been one of our customers since day one. It has also opened the doors to the US market for us, where demand for Danfoss Silicon Power's power modules is expected to increase dramatically," said Claus A. Petersen, CEO and Vice President of Danfoss Silicon Power.
More information