By 2050, electricity is expected to more than double its share of final energy consumption, jumping from 23 percent to 52 percent. As a result, the way the world generates, transmits, stores, and uses energy is changing.
At Knowles, we see this change from the inside. Our components operate deep within the systems driving this transformation, performing essential functions such as smoothing signals, filtering noise, and storing energy. What we see are both extraordinary challenges and remarkable opportunities to improve the performance, reliability, and efficiency of the technologies powering this “New Energy” ecosystem.
The Scale of Transformation
Multiple megatrends are simultaneously accelerating global electricity demand. Artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers are among the fastest-growing electricity consumers, with power demand projected to increase 165 percent by 2030. In the U.S., data centers alone are expected to account for 8.6% of all electricity use by 2035, up from 3.5% today.
Electric mobility is expanding at the same time. In 2024, the world purchased 17 million electric vehicles (EVs), representing one in every five new cars. The electricity required to power EVs is expected to surge from 130 TWh in 2023 to as much as 721 TWh by 2035, further reshaping grid infrastructure and charging demands.
Together, these trends are driving demand for a smarter, more efficient, and more resilient electrical ecosystem that requires precision and reliability in every component.
Capacitors: The Foundation of New Energy
As energy systems evolve to support renewable generation, digital infrastructure, and high-efficiency applications, the demands on power electronics continue to intensify. Capacitors, though often unseen, are indispensable to this progress. These passive components regulate voltage, filter noise, and provide energy buffering that enables stable, efficient operation across everything from grid-scale storage to advanced semiconductors. Without them, the control, conversion, and optimization of power at every stage of the energy cycle wouldn’t be possible.
Building the Future of Energy
Knowles’ innovations in materials science and high-performance components are accelerating progress across the entire energy ecosystem, from generation to application.
Generation: As wind and solar power generation scale, and advanced research efforts for fusion expand, Knowles capacitors can support higher efficiency and reliability by smoothing outputs, enabling fast response times during peak load shifts, and protecting sensitive electronics under demanding conditions.
Transmission: With high-voltage direct current systems transforming how electricity moves from remote generation sites to urban centers, Knowles capacitors are essential for ensuring stable, low-loss operation at the required high voltages and switching frequencies.
Storage: Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are now essential for renewable integration and grid stability. Global BESS deployments grew 54 percent year over year, with U.S. capacity doubling to 9 GW / 25 GWh as storage becomes a standard part of solar and wind projects. Reliable capacitors ensure efficient power conversion, maximize uptime, and support modular, scalable architectures for hybrid solar-plus-storage installations.
Application: Across EV charging, industrial automation, and AI-driven data centers, components are pushed to their limits. Knowles capacitors deliver compact, thermally stable, high-frequency performance that minimizes energy loss and ensures reliable operation in the most demanding environments.
Enabling the Energy Transition from the Inside Out
The new energy era demands an unprecedented level of efficiency, precision, and reliability. At Knowles, we’re proud to be part of the innovation that makes this possible. Our capacitors may be small, but their impact is vast, spanning the entire energy ecosystem from generation to transmission to storage to application. From the inside out, our components are helping build the foundation for a more connected, electrified, and sustainable world.
Learn more about our expansive range of capacitors.