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Distinguished Lecturers Program

BRING A DISTINGUISHED LECTURER TO YOUR CHAPTER

PELS Members Who Are Experts in The Field of Power Electronics

DISTINGUISHED LECTURERS (DL)

The PELS Distinguished Lecturer program is among the most exciting offerings available to PELS Chapters.  Each year, PELS selects some of its distinguished members to become a DL.  This celebrates and honors their high achievements in the power electronics field while supporting PELS Chapter activities with high-profile speakers for local chapter and section events.

Please note: the DL program does not support a DL giving a presentation or tutorial at a regular IEEE conference. 

REGIONAL DISTINGUISHED LECTURERS (RDL)
In addition to the DL program, PELS also offers a Regional Distinguished Lecturer (RDL) program to support members and local chapters in various regions around the globe.  Available RDLs will usually give lectures in PELS local chapter and section events within their region and in a local language.

Please note: the RDL program does not support an RDL giving a presentation or tutorial at a regular IEEE conference unless a local section or chapter sponsors it.
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Meet our Current Distinguished Lecturers (DL) and Regional Distinguished Lecturers (RDL)

PELS DISTINGUISHED LECTURERS
Minjie Chen
Minjie Chen

Associate Professor

Princeton University (USA)

Minjie Chen (Senior Member, IEEE) received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Tsinghua University (China) in 2009 and his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA), both with honors. Dr. Chen is currently the Vice Chair of PELS TC 10 (Design Methodologies) and launched the PELS MagNet Challenge in 2023.

Achievements:
 – Best Conference Paper Awards: 3D-PEIM, APEC, COMPEL, ECCE, ICRA, IROS, OCP
 – IEEE PELS Richard M. Bass Outstanding Young Power Electronics Engineer Award (2023)
 – IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics Prize Paper Award (2016-2017, 2020-2022)
 – Massachusetts Institute of Technology EECS D.N. Chorafas Ph.D. Thesis Award (2016)
 – NSF CAREER Award (2019)
 – Princeton Engineering Commendation List for Outstanding Teaching (2019)
 – Princeton Keller Center Innovation Forum (2019)
 – Princeton SEAS Junior Faculty Award (2022)

Research Interests: Data-driven methods, Design of high-performance power electronics for critical applications, High-frequency power electronics, Power architecture, Power magnetics

Presentations

Power Electronics for High-Performance Computing: Architecture and Magnetics Co-Design

Power Electronics for High-Performance Computing: Architecture and Magnetics Co-Design

The energy demand of future computing gives rise to new challenges in high-current voltage regulator modules (VRMs). This talk reviews the recent developments in architecture and magnetics for 48-V VRMs, focusing on achieving high efficiency, high power density, high control bandwidth, and compact system packaging. The strengths and weaknesses of many representative solutions are compared. We highlight the key opportunities and challenges and present comprehensive co-design guidelines for 48-V VRM architecture and magnetics.

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MagNet Project and Data Driven Methods for Power Magnetics Modeling

MagNet Project and Data Driven Methods for Power Magnetics Modeling

This talk presents why, how, and what we can do to perform power magnetic modeling with machine learning. We first introduce an open-source database – MagNet – which hosts a large amount of experimentally measured excitation data for many materials across a variety of operating conditions, and then demonstrate a few successful neural network-based power magnetics modeling tools for modeling core losses and B-H loops. Neural network models are found effective in compressing the measurement data and show generalities in predicting magnetic characteristics that do not exist in the training data.

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Models and Design Methods for Complex Multi-Winding Transformers and Coupled Inductors

Models and Design Methods for Complex Multi-Winding Transformers and Coupled Inductors

Multi-winding transformers and coupled inductors are critical building blocks for a wide range of power electronics applications ranging from isolated dc-dc converters to CPU VRMs. This talk presents a systematic approach to modeling complex multi-winding magnetic structures including (1) a systematic approach to modeling impedance and current distribution in planar magnetics; (2) a unified model to quantify the performance benefits of multiphase PWM coupled inductors; and (3) a range of design considerations and optimization tools for high performance power electronics systems enabled by complex power magnetic structures.

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Differential Power Processing and Multi-Input-Multi-Output Energy Systems

Differential Power Processing and Multi-Input-Multi-Output Energy Systems

This talk covers differential power processing and multi-input-multi-output power electronics design. We will first review the analytical models and performance limits of differential power processing, followed by the design example of an ultra-efficient differential power processing system for data storage servers. The design considerations for a few multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) energy systems developed based on multi-active-bridge (MAB) converters will then be presented. The MIMO and MAB energy router opens new design opportunities for a wide range applications.

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Noriko Kawakami

Toshiba Mitsubishi-Electric Industrial Systems Corporation (Japan)

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Sanjib Kumar Panda

Professor

National University of Singapore (Singapore)

Sanjib Kumar Panda (Fellow, IEEE) received his B. Eng. degree from the South Gujarat University (India) in 1983, M.Tech. degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University (India) in 1987, and Ph.D. degree from the University of Cambridge (UK) in 1991, all in electrical engineering.  Dr. Panda is currently the Chair of PELS TC 12 (Energy Access and Off-Grid Systems) and serves as an Associate Editor for various IEEE Transactions.

Achievements:
 – Cambridge-Nehru Scholarship (during Ph.D. study, 1987-1991)
 – Co-author of one book and several book chapters
 – Co-founded three start-up companies
 – Holds six patents
 – M.T. Mayer Graduate Scholarship (during Ph.D. study, 1987-1991)
 – Published over 450 peer-reviewed research papers

Research Interests: Building energy efficiency enhancement, Condition monitoring and predictive maintenance, High-performance control of motor drives and power electronic converters

Presentations

A Futuristic Medium-Voltage Grid-Connected Multi-Port Public Electric-Vehicle Ultra-Fast Charging-Station with G2V and V2G capability

A Futuristic Medium-Voltage Grid-Connected Multi-Port Public Electric-Vehicle Ultra-Fast Charging-Station with G2V and V2G capability

Medium-voltage (MV) grid-connected solid-state-transformer (SST) based fast-charging (FC)  stations provide several merits in terms of improved efficiency, power density, current limiting capability, etc. However, the propositions in literature are either not bidirectional (to simultaneously support V2G and G2V) or are unable to interface multiple types of plug-in electric-vehicles (PEVs), which are not able to meet the expectations of future fast-charging infrastructures. The fast-charging solutions available commercially are mostly for interfacing with the low voltage grid, and are unable to connect multiple type of PEVs. In this lecture, a futuristic  MV grid-connected public multi-port FC/dC station is presented which not only resembles a conventional vehicle refuelling station’s functionality by simultaneously interfacing all three types of PEV categories (heavy or hPEVs, medium or mPEVs and light or lPEVs), but also facilitates bidirectional power flow for V2G applications. The modulation, operation and control schemes of the front-end (FE) MVAC-LVDC single-stage conversion and back-end (BE) DC-DC conversion of the proposed architecture are presented in details. Real-time digital-simulator (RTDS) based  Hardware-in-loop (HIL) test results for full-scale 22 kV, 1 MVA architecture’s bidirectional operation verifies the proposed operation and controller for full-scale operation. The architecture facilitates simultaneous FC/dC of 1 hPEV within 49.5 min, 2 mPEVs within 28 min and 4 lPEVs within 16 min, while adhering closely to the prescribed charging/discharging schedules of each  PEV. Finally, a proportionally scaled down 1 kV, 13.2 kVA experimental verification validates the architecture’s performance during drastic net power flow change conditions and exhibits a peak efficiency of 96.4% with a power density of 3.2 kVA/L. A comprehensive benchmarking of the proposed architecture with commercially available FC products is also presented. 

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A Plug and Play Operational Approach for Implementation of an Autonomous-Micro-Grid System

A Plug and Play Operational Approach for Implementation of an Autonomous-Micro-Grid System

The electric power system is going through an unprecedented transformation and related challenges in the implementation of smart grids. The smart grid is based on the flexible electrical power system that coordinates different energy resources and loads with the aim of delivering sustainable, economical and reliable electrical supply to the loads in an efficient manner. In this presentation, a plug and play type autonomous-microgrid system formation is proposed. Multiple distributed generating sources and loads interaction is considered pertaining to the stability of the micro-grid. The proposed method enables communication-less operation of each of the elements of the micro-grid system. It is also considered that the sources are of different power capacity as can be seen in a typical autonomous micro-grid system. Spatial Repetitive Controller (SRC) is proposed to control each of the distributed generating sources in a decentralized manner to stabilize the overall micro-grid system. The proposed system considers sudden change in load as well as other distributed generators conditions like a true plug and play operation. A novel signature frequency voltage injection method is proposed to identify the presence of special distributed generator and operation of backup distributed generators. The implemented control architecture also ensures stability of the micro-grid fundamental frequency even in the case of dynamic conditions unlike the traditional droop-control method. A detailed experimental study is carried out and the experimental results presented show the efficacy of the proposed system.

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Design Optimization Framework for Solid-State-Transformers: A Novel Approach for an Emerging Technology

Design Optimization Framework for Solid-State-Transformers: A Novel Approach for an Emerging Technology

The power electronics technology is expected to dominate the power systems of the future due to the necessity of continuous controllability of power flow and enhanced smart functionalities. A focussed review of the medium-voltage (MV) grid-connected isolated power conversion techniques, regarding their relevance and applicability for bidirectional medium-voltage AC – low-voltage DC (MVAC-LVDC) conversion, reveals the need for high-power density power architectures with comparable efficiency and cost with respect to contemporary line-frequency transformer (LFT) based solutions. Some of the emerging applications of such bidirectional MVAC-LVDC converters are in electric-vehicle (EV) charging, Energy Control Centre (ECC) for microgrids, Green Data-Centre power distribution, etc.

Due to the lack of a comprehensive multi-objective optimal design framework for isolated MVAC-LVDC conversion, MVAC-LVDC converter designs are mostly obtained through trial/experience. The challenges of computationally expensive magnetics design, coupled with the correlation between magnetics design and performance of semiconductor devices, may be effectively tackled by developing hybrid (numerical+analytical) local optimization algorithms. This local optimization could be subsequently learned through machine-learning techniques, using a limited number of optimal design datasets, and, thus, assists in the genesis of globally optimal design limits for several combinations of semiconductor devices and switching frequencies. The commercial SiC-MOSFET based MVAC-LVDC isolated converter designs not only provide 10-12 times better power density compared to LFT based solutions, but are also observed to offer better efficiency-power density optimal designs compared to Si-based designs by providing a power density improvement of 3-4 times for comparable efficiency performance.

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Single-phase inverter control techniques for interfacing renewable energy sources with micro-grid – Parallel connected inverter topologies with active and reactive power flow control along with grid current shaping

Single-phase inverter control techniques for interfacing renewable energy sources with micro-grid – Parallel connected inverter topologies with active and reactive power flow control along with grid current shaping

Renewable energy sources (RESs) have been receiving significant attention recently worldwide as a sustainable alternative type of energy supply in the energy mix. Inverters are being used to convert the dc voltage into ac voltage before being injected into the grid or isolated loads.

In this presentation, a novel current control technique is proposed to control both active and reactive power flow from a renewable energy source feeding a micro-grid system through a single-phase parallel connected inverter. The parallel connected inverter ensures active and reactive power flow from the grid with low current THD even in the presence of non-linear load. A p-q theory-based approach is used to find the reference current of the parallel connected converter to ensure desired operating conditions at the grid terminal. The proposed current controller is simple to implement and gives superior performance over the conventional current controllers such as rotating frame PI controller or stationary frame Proportional Resonant (PR) controller. The stability of the proposed controller is ensured by direct Lyapunov method. A new technique based on the Spatial Repetitive Controller (SRC) is also proposed to improve the performance of the current controller by estimating the grid and other periodic disturbances. Detailed experimental results are presented to show the efficacy of the proposed current control scheme along with the proposed non-linear controller to control the active and reactive power flow in a single-phase micro-grid under different operating conditions.

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Single-phase inverter control techniques for interfacing renewable energy sources with micro-grid: Series connected inverter topologies with active and reactive power flow control along with grid current shaping

Single-phase inverter control techniques for interfacing renewable energy sources with micro-grid: Series connected inverter topologies with active and reactive power flow control along with grid current shaping

Renewable energy sources (RESs) have been receiving significant attention recently worldwide as a sustainable alternative type of energy supply in the energy mix. Inverters are being used to convert the dc voltage into ac voltage before being injected into the grid or isolated loads.

In this presentation, a control strategy for a single-phase series connected inverter with the micro-grid is proposed to interface AC loads not only to regulate the load voltage under voltage disturbances but also, to control the load power drawn from the micro-grid. The inverter compensating voltage works in such a way that, irrespective of any type of disturbances in the micro-grid voltage (such as sag, swell or harmonic distortions), the load voltage is maintained at its rated voltage level with low THD in voltage. The proposed control strategy also facilitates a specific amount of active power flow (from renewable energy source) to the load irrespective of the micro-grid voltage condition. The rest of the load power is supplied by the micro-grid. To facilitate this control strategy a Spatial Repetitive Controller (SRC) is proposed and implemented in micro-grid phase (q ) domain to make the controller independent of the micro-grid frequency. The proposed controller ensures dynamic stability of the system even if there is a sudden change in the micro-grid frequency. Detailed experimental results are presented to show the efficacy of the proposed series inverter system along with the controller under different operating conditions

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Akshay Kumar Rathore

Professor

Singapore Institute of Technology (Singapore)

Biography coming soon.

Biography coming soon.

Presentations

Snubberless Naturally Clamped Soft-switching Bidirectional Current-fed DC/DC Converters

Snubberless Naturally Clamped Soft-switching Bidirectional Current-fed DC/DC Converters

Description coming soon.

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Partial Resonant Based Soft-switching Current-fed DC/DC Converters

Partial Resonant Based Soft-switching Current-fed DC/DC Converters

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Electrolytic Capacitorless Pulsating DC Link Three-phase Inverter

Electrolytic Capacitorless Pulsating DC Link Three-phase Inverter

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Fundamental Device Switching Frequency Control of Multilevel Inverters for Medium Voltage Drives

Fundamental Device Switching Frequency Control of Multilevel Inverters for Medium Voltage Drives

Description coming soon.

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Maryam Saeedifard

Professor

Georgia Institute of Technology (USA)

Maryam Saeedifard (Senior Member, IEEE) received her B.S. and M.S. degrees from Isfahan University of Technology (Iran) in 1998 and 2002, respectively, and Ph.D. degree from the University of Toronto (Canada) in 2008, all in electrical engineering.  Dr. Saeedifard is currently an editor for various IEEE Transactions, including the IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics.

Work History:
2007-2008: ABB Corporate Research Center (Switzerland)
2010-2013: Purdue University (USA)
2014-Current: Georgia Institute of Technology (USA)

Achievements:
 – Served on technical program committees for PELS and IEEE conferences (APEC, IECON)

Research Interests: Applications of power electronics in power systems and transportation systems

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Xu She
Lunar Energy (USA)

Xu She (Senior Member, IEEE) received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees from Huazhong University of Science and Technology (China) in 2007 and 2009, respectively, and Ph.D. degree from North Carolina State University (USA) in 2013, all in electrical engineering.  Dr. She is currently a Vice Chair for the PELS Standards Committee and IEEE P3105 standard working group as well as an Associate Editor for various IEEE publications.

Work History:
2013-2022: General Electric and Carrier Corporation (USA)
2023-Current: Lunar Energy (USA)

Achievements:
 – GE Whitney Technical Achievement Award (2018)
 – IEEE IAS Andrew W. Smith Outstanding Young Member Achievement Award (2017)
 – IEEE IES Rudolf Chope R&D Award (2022)
 – IEEE Region 1 Industry Technological Innovation Award (2021)
 – Organizing committee member for IEEE ECCE
 – Published over 75 papers, 40 patent families, and three book chapters

Presentations

Silicon carbide power conversion systems for industrial applications

Silicon carbide power conversion systems for industrial applications

This lecture presents silicon carbide technology and its application for industrial applications. Critical barriers of applying silicon carbide power devices will be presented and novel solutions to overcome those barriers will be illustrated. Specifically, this lecturer will cover the technical aspects of advanced topology, thermal management, component design, etc. from industry design point of view. A few published design examples will be shared covering general purpose silicon carbide power converter as well as specific designs for solar and energy storage applications.

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Solid state transformers: journey from R&D to recent standard development

Solid state transformers: journey from R&D to recent standard development

Solid state transformer is an emerging technology that replaces the traditional line frequency transformer with additional functions and intelligence. It has gained significant attention in the past 10 years with number of publications increased by more than 25x. Around the world, there are many on-going demonstration projects for different applications, such as smart grid integration, EV fast charger, wind and solar power conversion, etc. This lecture provides an overview of development effort of solid-state transformers, a journey starting from early-stage R&D to recent standard development effort (IEEE P3105) within IEEE power electronics society.

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System thinking and its role in innovation of power electronics dominated industrial systems

System thinking and its role in innovation of power electronics dominated industrial systems

This lecture will share the philosophy of system thinking and its role in innovation of power electronics and systems. In the first part, an innovation framework will be presented to show how a well-rounded thought process can lead to meaningful innovation. The second part will introduce innovation on power electronics design from equipment manufacturer point of view, with special focus on advanced silicon carbide power conversion technologies for industrial applications. The third part will focus on system innovation and explore how to leverage power electronics technologies to reinvent system architectures towards carbon neutral society.

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Brij N. Singh
John Deere Inc. (USA)

Brij Singh (Fellow, IEEE) received his engineering degrees in electrical engineering from various schools in India.

Work History:
1996-1998: École de Technology Supérieure, Université du Québec (Canada)
1999: Concordia University (Canada)
2000-2006: Tulane University (USA)
2007-Current: John Deere Inc. (USA)

Achievements:
 – IEEE Power Electronics Emerging Technology Award (2020)
 – Owns 34 US patents and one trade secret
 – Published over 95 research papers
 – Received four teaching awards from Tulane University (USA)
 – Received three innovation and one collaboration awards from John Deere Inc. (USA)
 – “Title of John Deere Technical Fellow” (2020)

Presentations

Careers in Power Electronics and Energy Systems and Mastering a Craft in a Core Engineering Field

Careers in Power Electronics and Energy Systems and Mastering a Craft in a Core Engineering Field

This presentation will cover industry expectations for engineers specialized in the power electronics and related fields. Dr. Singh will cover his own career journey starting from his technical education and how he navigated difficulties and failures in life. Starting from a humble farming/agriculture background in India and rising to John Deere Technical Fellow in Power Electronics wasn't an easy journey, there are many tips that Dr. Singh could provide to the aspiring power electronics experts presently enrolled in the graduate programs or in their early career in industry. Often Dr. Singh gets questions related to should students stay in the core areas of engineering or quit core engineering profession for so called/perceived more lucrative career opportunities in the computer science and information technology fields. Dr. Singh plans to cover this topic to clear doubts hovering in the young minds. This talk includes some project examples that were of high risk and high visibility, and failure wasn’t an option for Dr. Singh, therefore there are a number of lessons to be learned from Singh inducing sharing of information that could help young professionals in their efforts to navigate through difficulties and uncertainties. Last phase of the lecture will be used for open ended Q&A and interactions with attendees.

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Improved Control Algorithm for Power Quality Controlled Converters

Improved Control Algorithm for Power Quality Controlled Converters

This presentation covers control algorithms for active filter (AF). A three-phase insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) based current controlled voltage source inverter (CC-VSI) with a DC bus capacitor can be used as an AF. There are many control algorithms for the AF such as reactive power control, active power control, power-balance control, direct and quadrature (d-q) model-based control systems, etc. It is noted that most existing feedforward control methods of the AF system result in switching notches (sharp-rising ripples) in the supply current during transitions of the stepped waveshape nonlinear load current. Through laboratory experimentation, it is demonstrated that the direct current control method, which works on the principle of feedback, eliminates switching notches in supply currents and locks sinusoidally shaped three-phase supply currents in-phase with the supply voltages. Use of wide bandgap (WBG) devices will also be discussed as WBG devices offer significant potential to miniaturize AF hardware.

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Power Electronics for Precision Farming with Sustainable and Cleaner Environment

Power Electronics for Precision Farming with Substantiable and Cleaner Environment

In this lecture a broad review of vehicles for farming operation will be given starting from tillage to crop harvesting. Agriculture and farming vehicles that have significant use of power electronics will be covered such as Exact Emerge Planter for seeding operation. This presentation will cover how power electronics supports crop-care system to exactly apply prescription such as fertilizers, pesticides, fungicide, etc. Idea is to create awareness that power electronics professionals could enable increased productivity so that by 2050 over 9.5 billion could have food, shelter, and an efficient transportation system. This talk will also cover how vehicle electrification enables many functions, forms, and features in off- and on-highway vehicles that were not cost- and space-effective possible without SiC and GaN devices.

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Keyue Ma Smedley

Professor

University of California Irvine (USA)

Keyue Ma Smedley (Fellow, IEEE) received her B.S. and M.S. degrees from Zhejiang University (China) and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Caltech (USA), all in electrical engineering.

Work History:
1990-1992: Superconducting Super Collider (USA)
1993-Current: University of California, Irvine (USA)

Achievements:
 – Co-author of over 200 technical publications
 – Co-founder of One-Cycle Control, Inc.
 – Co-founder of two start-up companies
 – Co-inventor of the Hexagram converter (2007)
 – Department of Army Achievement Award in Pentagon (2010)
 – Inventor of One-Cycle Control method for high switching power conversion
 – Led consortium in completing a one-year field demonstration of 15kV 2,000A (20,000A fault) class fault current limiter in the commercial power grid (2010)
 – Owns over ten US/international patents
 – UCI Innovation Award (2005)

Presentations

Breaking the Barrier of Bulky Magnetics in Power Conversion: Advances in Resonant Switched-Capacitor Converters

Breaking the Barrier of Bulky Magnetics in Power Conversion: Advances in Resonant Switched-Capacitor Converters

PWM converters have been the working horses for most power conversion applications to date. Thanks to topology and material evolution, their power density has been increasing over the years. However, bulky magnetic components remain a significant challenge. Researchers in the field have been continuously searching for new power converters with similar regulation capabilities but much higher power density. The UCI Power Electronics Laboratory has dedicated its efforts to this search at the confluence of PWM, resonant, and switching-capacitor converters for the past eight years. During this journey, several new switched-capacitor converters and resonant switched-capacitor converters were discovered. Recently, the laboratory made a breakthrough by realizing full-range voltage regulation of resonant switched-capacitor. In this speech, Dr. Smedley will present general "PWM-like" resonant switched-capacitor converters capable of full voltage regulation within a narrow 2X frequency swing. This new generation of power converters can operate at much higher switching frequencies compared to their PWM counterparts, with natural soft-switching using only one small inductor (not for energy transfer, no DC bias). As a result, bulky magnetics can eventually be eliminated in fully integrated power chips, providing a solution for high power density applications in the future. Moreover, this new PWM-like operation is applicable to most known switching capacitor converters, enabling topological manipulation to achieve functions such as step up, step down, inverse polarity, AC/DC, and DC/AC.  These converters can replace a wide range of conventional PWM converters.

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Exploration at the Confluence of Three Major Power Electronics Branches

Exploration at the Confluence of Three Major Power Electronics Branches

High-frequency power electronics progresses along three major branches: PWM converters, switched-capacitor converters, and resonant converters. PWM converters have been the workhorse for most power conversion applications today. However, their bulky magnetics limit further power density improvement. Switched-capacitor converters do not need magnetics, but poor voltage regulation prevents them from a wide adoption. Resonant converters have penetrated some applications, but they are not ready to replace the PWM converters for high-power applications due to their high RMS voltage/current.
Researchers in the community have searched for new solutions with better efficiency, regulation, and power density. As a result, there has been increased intertwining and interactions among these branches.
The UCI Power Electronics Laboratory has been working at the confluence of PWM, resonant, and switched-capacitor converters for >7 years. During this time, we have invented several new switched-capacitor converters and resonant switched-capacitor converters. Recently, we made a breakthrough in a general “PWM-like” control/modulation method applicable to most resonant switched-capacitor converters to achieve full range voltage regulation with only a 2X frequency swing and only one small inductor (nano-henry scale without DC bias). This new generation of power converters has the potential to replace a wide array of conventional PWM converters and dramatically reduce magnetic components or eliminate the bulky magnetics overall in fully-integrated power-chips.
This lecture reports our discoveries at the confluence of these major power electronics branches.

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One-Cycle Control and Its Application for Stabilizing Power Grids with High Renewable Penetration

One-Cycle Control and Its Application for Stabilizing Power Grids with High Renewable Penetration

One-Cycle Control (OCC) is a nonlinear control technique for switching converters.  It achieves pulse-width modulation (PWM) by comparing the average value of a switched variable to a reference to ensure equality in each switching cycle.  OCC enables precise control of a converter's dynamics in one switching cycle, making it suitable for solving complex control equations.  Precision, speed, universality, and simplicity are the most notable features of OCC.  In fact, OCC is by far the fastest control reported for power converters.

One worth-noting example of OCC is its ability to realize four-quadrant universal control of three-phase inverters, which allows an inverter to perform power factor correction (PFC) rectification, inverting, dynamic VAR compensation (DVC), active power filtering (APF), or any combination of these functions.  Using OCC, these complex control tasks can be achieved with a simple control circuit, offering ultrafast and powerful power conversion for modern grids, electric vehicles, more electric aircraft, and other areas of applications.

In this presentation, Dr. Smedley will explore the application of the OCC dynamic VAR compensator (DVC) to address the increasing instability of power grids in high renewable penetration scenarios. The present power grid is already under significant stress due to lagging infrastructure updates in response to the growing demand for electricity. This issue is compounded by the intermittent and rapid transients of renewable energy sources. For instance, in circuits with a decent amount of solar penetration (even 10-15%), voltage changes can occur rapidly due to passing clouds, causing systems to switch on and off frequently. The traditional grid equipment for voltage regulation will wear out much more quickly, making the adoption of renewables an expensive prospect.  VAR compensation is a well-established Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) method for stabilizing voltage. However, to handle the rapid transients of renewable energy, much faster speed is required. The OCC method has demonstrated exceptional VAR speed for mitigating the impact of intermittency in renewable energy output and other disturbances. OCC-DVC provides a solution to enhance the grid's flexibility and resilience.

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Kai Sun

Associate Professor

Tsinghua University (China)

Kai Sun (Senior Member, IEEE) received his B.E., M.E., and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from Tsinghua University (China) in 2000, 2002, and 2006, respectively. Dr. Sun currently serves as the PELS TC 8 (Electronic Power Grid Systems) Secretary and an Associate Editor for various IEEE publications, including the IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics.

Work History:
2009-2010: Aalborg University (Denmark)
2017: University of Alberta (Canada)
2006-Current: Tsinghua University (China)

Achievements:
 – Delta Young Scholar Award (2013)
 – General Co-Chair (IFEC’18)
 – IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics Outstanding Reviewer (2019)
 – Organization Committee Chair (eGrid’19)
 – Publicity Chair (ECCE’20)
 – TPC Vice Chair (ECCE’17, ECCE-Asia’17)
 – Youth Award of China Power Supply Society (2017)

Research Interests: Energy internet, Microgrids, Power electronics for renewable generation systems

Presentations

Advanced Bi-directional DC-DC Converters in Battery Energy Storage Systems

Advanced Bi-directional DC-DC Converters in Battery Energy Storage Systems

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are the main infrastructures in the microgrids to ensure power balance and stable operation, as well as in the utility grid to enhance flexibility and stability. Bi-directional DC-DC converters are the key elements in BESS, which interface batteries and DC bus for power transfer. In this lecture, a comprehensive review for isolated bi-directional DC-DC converters is presented. The requirements of BESS on isolated bidirectional DC-DC converters with high efficiency and high power density are introduced. Two major solutions of isolated bidirectional DC-DC converters, CLLC resonance converter and dual-active-bridge (DAB) converter, are investigated and compared, including modeling methods, control strategies and design considerations with the use of SiC and GaN devices. This lecture points out that both CLLC and DAB converters have their own advantages and good application prospects in future large-scale energy storage systems. Moreover, a modular multi-port CLLC converter based on high frequency AC bus sharing is proposed to integrate multiple battery stacks, which features high efficiency, high reliability and good scalability.

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Hybrid AC/DC Microgrids: Configuration, Control and Future Development

Hybrid AC/DC Microgrids: Configuration, Control and Future Development

Hybrid AC/DC microgrids with DC and AC sources/loads are considered to be the most likely future microgrid structures, since DC subgrid features high efficiency and free of harmonics/reactive power, and AC subgrid is easy to connect conventional utility grid. A panoramic overview of hybrid AC/DC microgrids is given in this lecture through the review of ongoing projects. The operation control and power management strategies of hybrid AC/DC microgrids based on the inter support between AC subgrid and DC subgrid are discussed. High penetration integration of renewable generation brings some challenges into hybrid AC/DC microgrids, hence, this lecture focuses on the coordination control between renewable generation and energy storage.

Moreover, as a future trend, the conceptual framework of networked microgrid clusters is introduced to further enhance system operation flexibility. Smart multi-functional services of AC/DC interfacing converters are presented in terms of resilience control, active stabilization, power quality improvement and cost-efficiency optimization.

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Power Conversion Technology for Renewable Energy Systems Integrated into Medium Voltage DC Grids

Power Conversion Technology for Renewable Energy Systems Integrated into Medium Voltage DC Grids

In the future smart grid, it is a significant trend to integrate large capacity renewable energy into medium voltage (MV) DC grids. The high power conversion techniques for wind generation, photovoltaic generation and hydrogen energy system integrated into MVDC grids are reviewed and compared in this lecture, including the system configurations, AC-DC and DC-DC converter designs, control strategies and fault protection. Novel solutions of DC grid-connected photovoltaic generation system are presented, providing new ways to integrate solar energy to DC grids with high efficiency and high power density. As the key element of high power isolated DC-DC converters, high frequency transformers with high withstand voltage are studied in terms of multi-physics modeling, magnetic integration, insulation design, thermal design and multi-objective optimization.

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Mahinda Vilathgamuwa

Professor

Queensland University of Technology
Australia

Mahinda Vilathgamuwa (Fellow, IEEE) received his B.Sc. degree from the University of Moratuwa (Sri Lanka) in 1985 and Ph.D. degree from Cambridge University (U.K.) in 1993, both in electrical engineering.  Dr. Vilathgamuwa is currently the PELS Liaison for the Asia/Pacific region and is active in the IEEE Singapore Section.

Work History:
1993-2013: Nanyang Technological University (Singapore)
2013-Current: Queensland University of Technology (Australia)

Achievements:
 – Member of the IEEE Power Electronics and Drives Systems Conference (PEDS) Organizing Committee (since 1994)
 – Member of the IEEE Southern Power Electronics Conference (SPEC) Organizing Committee (Technical Committee Chairman in 2016 and 2018, Co-Chairman in 2023, Chairman in 2024)
 – Published over 300 research papers, one book, and two book chapters
 – Secured two patents
 – Supervised over 25 Ph.D. and 16 M.Sc. students and 12 research fellows
 – Technical Committee Chairman of the IEEE ECCE-Asia (2021)

Research Interests: Battery storage, Electrical drives, Electromobility, Power electronic converters, Wireless power

Presentations

Recent Developments in Wireless Power Transfer Systems for Ventricular Assist Devices/Artificial Hearts

Recent Development in Wireless Power Transfer Systems for Ventricular Assist Devices/Artificial Hearts

The number of patients with serious heart failure has been steadily increasing. Therapies
based on Ventricular Assist Device Systems (VAD) and Artificial Hearts (AH) are considered
as standard treatment options for patients with severe heart failure. The potential of serious
infections associated with the percutaneous driveline is a major issue with the current VADs
and AHs. Wireless Power Transfer Systems (WPTS) are proposed as a potential solution to
eliminate the through-skin driveline. In this lecture, new coil structures and control methods
for WPTS based VADs and AHs are presented.

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Degradation Conscious Optimal Control of Li-ion Batteries

Degradation Conscious Optimal Control of Li-ion Batteries

Li-ion battery cells tend to degrade due to aging or cycling. One main cause of the degradation
is the formation of solid electrolyte interface (SEI). The formation of SEI causes reduction in
Li-ions availability, increase in the internal resistance and self-discharge of cells. More
advanced battery management systems (ABMS) use mathematical cell models for state
estimation and control strategy design. This lecture discusses recent developments in ABMSs,
that minimize the cell degradation and energy losses in the interfacing converter, leading to a
reduction in the rate of capacity loss in the battery pack and the maximum battery pack
utilization.

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0 yuan xibo
Xibo Yuan

Professor

University of Bristol
United Kingdom

Xibo Yuan (Senior Member, IEEE) received his B.S. degree from China University of Mining and Technology (China) and Ph.D. degree from Tsinghua University (China) in 2005 and 2010, respectively, both in electrical engineering.  Prof. Yuan is currently an Associate Editor for various IEEE publications.

Achievements:
 – Director of UK Centre for Power Electronics
 – Executive committee member of the IET Power Electronics, Machines and Drives network
 – Fellow of IET
 – Isao Takahashi Power Electronics Award (2018)
 – UK Royal Academy of Engineering/Safran Chair in Advanced Aircraft Power Generation Systems

Research Interests: Application of wide-bandgap devices, Electric aircraft technologies, Multilevel converters, Power electronics and motor drives, Wind power generation

Presentations

Accurate Core Loss and Winding Loss Characterisation and Prediction for High-frequency Magnetic Components

Accurate Core Loss and Winding Loss Characterisation and Prediction for High-frequency Magnetic Components

Power loss modelling of magnetic components becomes increasingly important in the design of power electronics converters, especially in the case of higher switching frequencies enabled by emerging wide-bandgap devices where the magnetic component loss can be significant. There are clear challenges in both the core loss and winding loss estimation. For the core loss, under PWM (rectangular) excitation with dc-bias and non-50% duty cycle, the conventional Steinmetz Equation or Improved Steinmetz Equation are not accurate anymore. For winding (copper) loss, the increased skin and proximity effect and random winding patterns make the conventional modelling methods very difficult to work. This lecture will introduce a ‘Triple Pulse Test’ (TPT) method, which can be used to predict the losses of magnetic components through a number of tests with three pulses and a loss map. The proposed TPT is analogous to the common ‘Double Pulse Test’ for characterising the losses of power electronics devices and converters. How to further build a user-friendly datasheet for magnetic components based on the TPT will be discussed. Several examples of inductors, transformers with various magnetic material will be given to demonstrate the proposed method. 

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Capacitor Voltage Control in Neutral Point Clamped (NPC) and Hybrid Multilevel Converters: Where are we now?

Capacitor Voltage Control in Neutral Point Clamped (NPC) and Hybrid Multilevel Converters: Where are we now?

The controllability of capacitor voltages in multilevel converters is essential to enable their use in practice. This includes the voltage control of the dc-link capacitors and the flying capacitors (FC). When the number of voltage levels of NPC converters is four or higher, or simplified multilevel topologies with reduced number of devices are used, the capacitor voltage control becomes particularly challenging. This lecture will introduce a new ‘Redundant Level Modulation’, when combined with optimal zero-sequence injection, has superior capability to balance the dc-link capacitor voltages and control the flying capacitor voltages through software, without the need of additional hardware. This enables conventional NPC converters with four or higher number of levels or simplified topologies to operate independently as a single rectifier or inverter (or with a passive front end) over the full power factor and modulation index range. This lecture will also review various multilevel topologies and existing control methods to introduce the new advanced modulation method. Several exemplar multilevel converters using the proposed method and how new wide-band gap devices can further facilitate the adoption of the proposed method will be shown. 

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Medium-Voltage High-Power Converters for 10MW+ Wind Turbines

Medium-Voltage High-Power Converters for 10MW+ Wind Turbines

The power rating of large off-shore wind turbines is getting higher and higher, reaching 14MW. Medium-voltage power conversion is generally favoured for large wind turbines in terms of higher power density, reduced current level, associated losses, cable twisting, etc. This lecture will first review existing power conversion (drive train) solutions for large wind turbines and then propose three multi-level modular high power converter topologies together with corresponding generator configurations for large wind turbines. A configuration with a 10-kV generator, a modular power converter, and a multi-winding step-up transformer will be presented in detail with experimental results, which has clear application potential for 10MW+ wind turbines. The proposed converter has fault-tolerant capability, which is essential given the high maintenance/repair cost for wind power applications. The lecture will also talk about how to reduce the amount of capacitance required in the system given the capacitors have the highest failure rates among the converter components. Furthermore, converter topology options for future 20MW wind turbines will also be presented and discussed.

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Opportunities, Challenges and Potential Solutions in the Application of Silicon-Carbide (SiC) Power Devices, Converters and Motor Drives

Opportunities, Challenges and Potential Solutions in the Application of Silicon-Carbide (SiC) Power Devices, Converters and Motor Drives

This lecture will first provide an overview of the performance of state-of-the-art SiC devices and converters. While the opportunities in achieving higher-density, higher-efficiency and higher-frequency are clear, there are also significant design challenges relating to high speed (dv/dt), high voltage and high temperature operation. For example, in SiC motor drives, the high switching speed and high switching frequency can cause increased level of motor over-voltage, insulation and bearing degradation. These challenges will be analysed and several solutions aiming to fully exploit the superior characteristics of SiC devices will be given, through new topologies, new modulation and control, soft-switching, filtering, etc. Several design examples such as a 500kW high-density power converter based on SiC MOSFETs, high temperature converters with 180°C SiC BJTs and high voltage 10kV SiC converters for solid state transformer applications will be given to demonstrate the opportunities, design challenges and the proposed solutions.

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PELS REGIONAL DISTINGUISHED LECTURERS

Region 7 North America

Al-Thaddeus Avestruz

Univ. of Michigan (USA)

Presentation Topics

RDL-1: “Direct Digital Modeling and Control of Power Electronics”

RDL-2: “Advances in Wireless Power Transfer”

RDL-3: “Opportunities and Challenges in Second-Use Battery Energy Storage Systems”

Mehrdad Ehsani

Texas A&M Univ. (USA)

Presentation Topics

RDL-1: “A Global Perspective on Sustainable Energy and Transportation”

RDL-2: “An Overview of High Voltage DC Power Transmission”

Tanya Gachovska

Univ. of Nebraska (USA)

Presentation Topics

RDL-1: “Current Status and Future Prospects of GaN Power HEMTs”

RDL-2: “SiC and GaN Devices and Some Applications

Brandon Grainger

Univ. of Pittsburgh (USA)

Presentation Topics

RDL-1: “Modern Power Conversion Solutions – From Electric Power Grids to Aerospace Power Applications”

RDL-2: “Multiport Converter Designs: Modeling Considerations and State Plane Analysis Approaches for Improved Thermal Performance of SiC Devices “

Sudip Mazumder

Univ. of Illinois, Chicago (USA)

Presentation Topics

RDL-1: “Control of Power Electronics Systems using Predictive Switching Sequences and Switching Transitions“

RDL-2: “Nonlinear Analysis of Power-Electronics Systems and Networks”

RDL-3: “Differential Mode Power Converters: A Universal Solution”

Chris Mi

San Diego State Univ. (USA)

Presentation Topics

RDL-1: “Reuse and Recycling of EV Batteries”

RDL-2: “Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing Airplanes”

RDL-3: “Wireless Power Transfer – From Science Fiction to Reality”

Indumini Ranmuthu

Univ. of Texas (USA)

Presentation Topics

RDL-1: “Data Center VR Power Delivery Solutions”

Jinia Roy

Univ. of Wisconsin – Madison (USA)

Presentation Topics

RDL-1: “Non-isolated High Gain DC-DC Boost Converter”

RDL-2: “WBG-based Transformer-less PV Inverter”

Pradeep Shenoy

Texas Instruments (USA)

Presentation Topics

RDL-1: “Challenges and Opportunities in Automotive Power Electronics”

RDL-2: “Common Mistakes in DC-DC Converters and How to Fix Them”

RDL-3: “Power-Conversion Techniques for Complying with EMI/EMC Requirements”

Region 8 Europe & Africa

Jost Allmeling

Plexim GmbH (Switzerland)

Presentation Topics

RDL-1: “Efficient Models for Power Converters in Real-time Simulation”

RDL-2: “Model Continuity from Offline Simulation to Real-time Testing”

Ilknur Colak

Schneider Electric-Secure Power Division (France)

Presentation Topics

RDL-1: “Solid State Transformers: Challenges and Applications”

RDL-2: “Insulation and Coordination Design Steps for MV Power Electronics Applications”

Petros Karamanakos

Tampere University (Finland)

Presentation Topics

RDL-1: “Model Predictive Control of Power Electronic Systems: Methods, Results, and Challenges”

RDL-2: “Finite Control Set Model Predictive Control: Design Guidelines to Maximize the System Performance”

RDL-3: “Optimal Modulation and Control for Power Electronic Systems”

Ivana Kovacevic-Badstuebner

ETHZ (Switzerland)

Presentation Topics

RDL-1: “Electromagnetic-Circuit Modeling for Advanced Power Semiconductor Devices”

RDL-2: “Design of SiC Power MOSFET Packages based on Multi-physics Modeling”

Dimosthenis Peftitsis

Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Norway)

Presentation Topics

RDL-1: “Silicon Carbide Power Semiconductors: Device Modelling, Gate Drivers and Applications”

RDL-2: “Reliability Assessment of High-power Semiconductor Devices and Challenges on Lifetime Modeling at Low Stress Cycles”

RDL-3: “Online Estimation of Lifetime Consumption for High-power IGBT Modules under Stochastic Mission Profiles”

RDL-4: “Thermal Design and Efficiency Improvement in Medium-voltage Solidstate DC Breakers”

Miroslav Vasić

Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (Spain)

Presentation Topics

RDL-1: “GaN based Multi-MHz Applications and the Challenges in front of us”

RDL-2: “Key Aspects of the Design and Control of Inductive Power Transfer Systems”

Region 9 South America

Fernando Luiz Marcelo Antunes

Federal University of Ceara (Brazil)

Presentation Topics

RDL-1: “Multilevel Converters”

RDL-2: “Power Electronics for Fuel Cells”

RDL-3: “DC-DC Converters”

RDL-4: “Inverters for Distributed Generation”

RDL-5: “Power Electronics for Electrolyzers”

Jaime Arau

National Center for Research and Technological Development-CENIDET

Presentation Topics

RDL-1: “New Trends in Multiport Power Converters for Energy Harvesting / Storage Systems”

RDL-2: “The Important Role of Power Electronics for the Creation of a Sustainable World”

RDL-3: “Towards the successful publication of technical journal articles in the world of engineering”

Javier Alveiro Rosero Garcia

Universidad Nacional de Colombia
(Columbia)

Presentation Topics

RDL-1: “Transformación organizacional por transformación Digital”

RDL-2: “Medición inteligente en redes de distribución de energía”

Region 10 Asia Pacific

Kaushik Basu

IISc – Bengaluru (India)

Presentation Topics

RDL-1: “Modeling the Switching Behaviour of WBG based Power Devices”

RDL-2: “Efficient and Compact Power Electronic Converters for Future Utility-Scale Grid Integration of Renewables”

RDL-3: “Pulse Width Modulation Techniques of Inverter Fed Asymmetrical Six-Phase Machine Drive”

Honnyong Cha

Kyungpook Natl. Univ. (Korea)

Presentation Topics

RDL-1: “Applications of Magnetics for Power Conversion Systems”

RDL-2: “Power Converter Topologies”

Kosala Gunawardane

Univ. of Tech. – Sydney (Australia)

Presentation Topics

RDL-1: “Integration of Fuel Cell Technologies into DC Microgrids”

RDL-2: “Demand-side Management of Offshore Hydrogen-based DC Power Systems”

RDL-3: “Benefits of Supercapacitance for Designing High-efficiency Power Converters: Supercapacitor-assisted Low Dropout (SCALDO) Regulator Technique”

Weihao Hu

IEEE PELS Member

Presentation Topics

Coming Soon…

Dong Jiang

Huazhong Univ. of Sci. and Tech. (China)

Presentation Topics

RDL-1: “Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Mitigation Through Advanced Pulse Width Modulation”

RDL-2: “Power Electronics Converters for Open-Winding Motor Drives”

Kyo-Beum Lee

Ajou Univ. (Korea)

Presentation Topics

RDL-1: “Reliable Design of a SiC Inverter for Motor Driving Systems”

RDL-2: “Dual Motor Driving System with a Single Inverter”

Hong Li

Beijing Jiaotong Univ. (China)

Presentation Topics

RDL-1: “Modeling and Stability Analysis in Time Domain of Power Electronic Converters System”

RDL-2: “Chaotic Pulse Width Modulation in Power Electronics System: from Theory to Applications”

RDL-3: “Programmable Topology Deduction Algorithm for Non-isolated DC-DC Converters based on Graph Theory”

Ke Ma

IEEE PELS Member

Presentation Topics

Coming Soon…

Mahesh Kumar Mishra

IIT – Chennai (India)

Presentation Topics

RDL-1: “Power Quality Features of Voltage Source Inverter in a Microgrid System”

RDL-2: “Microgrid Control and Active Distribution Systems”

RDL-3: “Power Electronics Applications in Microgrid Connected Power Systems”

Dongyuan Qiu

IEEE PELS Member

Presentation Topics

Coming Soon…

Shinzo Tamai

Toshiba Mitsubishi-Electric Industrial Systems Corp. (Japan)

Presentation Topics

RDL-1: “PWM Control of Three-Level Neutral Point Clamped Converters for High Power Applications”

RDL-2: “Large Capacity Converter Technologies for Stabilizing AC Power Transmission Systems”

Laili Wang

IEEE PELS Member

Presentation Topics

Coming Soon…

Yijie Wang

Harbin Inst. of Tech. (China)

Presentation Topics

RDL-1: “An Underwater Simultaneous Wireless Power and Data Transfer System for AUV With High-Rate Full-Duplex Communication”

RDL-2: “A Multi-Segment Compensation Method for Improving Power Density of Long-Distance IPT System”

RDL-3: “Design of a Strong Robust Wireless Power Transfer System With Wide-Range Output Regulation Based on Dual-Band Architecture”

Xinke Wu

IEEE PELS Member

Presentation Topics

Coming Soon…

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