Recent Trends in High-Efficiency Electric Drives for Industrial Applications

Abstract

Electric drives are at the heart of industrial automation, offering high efficiency, precise control, and energy savings. The demand for more efficient and reliable drive systems has led to the development of advanced power electronics, sensorless control techniques, and AI-based fault diagnosis. This paper reviews the latest innovations in electric drives, focusing on high- efficiency motor topologies such as switched reluctance motors (SRMs) and synchronous reluctance motors (SynRMs). Additionally, improvements in vector control, direct torque control (DTC), and model predictive control (MPC) are analyzed. The paper also discusses the role of AI and IoT-enabled predictive maintenance in enhancing drive longevity and reducing operational costs. The impact of wide-bandgap (WBG) semiconductor devices in improving drive performance and efficiency is also highlighted. Finally, future trends, including the integration of electric drives in Industry 4.0 and sustainable transportation, are explored.

KEYWORDS: Electric Drives, Vector Control, Predictive Maintenance, Wide- Bandgap Semiconductors, Industry 4.0.