High-Power Electronics for Decarbonizing Energy Grids
The worldwide shift towards electrification and digitalization mandates the adoption of energy-efficient and economically viable methods for electricity generation, transmission, and utilization. Meeting this demand requires the integration of power electronics and digital technologies, which are critical to address these challenges. Recently, modern energy grids are increasingly incorporating high-power, high-/medium-voltage power electronic converters and systems, e.g., high-voltage direct-current (HVDC), static synchronous compensators (STATCOMs), large-scale renewable power plants and power-to-x stations, hyperscale data centers, solid-state circuit breakers, solid-state transformers, and grid-forming energy storage systems, etc.
The objective of this workshop is to provide a forum where speakers from government, industry and academia can share and discuss the latest developments in high-power electronics and digital technologies for future net-zero energy systems. With a strong industry focus, the event is co-sponsored by IEEE Power Electronics Society (PELS) and Digital Futures, and co-organized by KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Hitachi Energy. The programme features three topic areas: 1) high-power electronic devices and converters, 2) system integration and operation, 3) grid stability, security, and digitalization.
Programme
Wednesday 19 June
Introduction and Opening Speech
Time
Title
Speaker
Affiliation
08:30
Introduction
Xiongfei Wang
KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
08:45
Opening Speach
Johan H Enslin
IEEE PELS President (2025-2026), USA
Session 1: High-Power Devices and Converters
Time
Title
Speaker
Affiliation
09:00
Transforming the U.S Grid: Innovations in Next-Generation Hardware
Andre Pereira
Department of Energy, USA
09:30
Modular Multilevel Converters Based on IGCT: Insights and Application Use-Cases
Philippe Maibach
Hitachi Energy, Switzerland
10:00
High Power SiC and GaN Device Technology for Sustainable Electrification
Mikael Östling
KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
10:30
Break
.
.
11:00
System Benefits, Design, Control, and Testing of High Voltage SiC Power Electronics for Grid Applications
Fred Wang
University of Tennesee, Knoxville, USA
11:30
Potential of SiC Power Devices for Overloadability Assessment
Muhammad Nawaz
Hitachi Energy, Sweden
12:00
Latest Developments on High Voltage Power Semiconductor Devices and Packaging
Alan Mantooth
University of Arkansas, USA
IEEE PELS Past President
12:30
Panel Discussion
.
.
Session 2: System Integration and Operation
Time
Title
Speaker
Affiliation
14:00
Renewable Generation Integration Through Power Electronics: GB System Experience
Xiaoyao Zhou
National Grid ESO, UK
14:30
The Role of Multi-Terminal HVDC Networks to Fast Track Capacity Release for Renewable Generation Integration
Johan H Enslin
IEEE PELS President (2025-2026), USA
15:00
Wide Bandgap Power Electronics for HVDC: Challenges and Opportunities
Jin Wang
The Ohio State University, USA
15:30
Break
.
.
16:00
VSC -The Right Toolbox for AC and DC Grids
Frans Dijkhuizen
Hitachi Energy, Sweden
16:30
System Integration Challenges of Renewable Hydrogen Production
Yin Sun
Shell, Netherlands
17:00
Interaction on AC side – Multi-Infeed Study – Theory and Practice
Ying-Jiang Hafner,
Hitachi Energy, Sweden
17:30
Panel Discussion
.
.
18:30
Mingle Event
.
.
Introduction and Opening Speech
Time
Title
Speaker
Affiliation
08:30
Introduction
Xiongfei Wang
KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
08:45
Opening Speach
Johan H Enslin
IEEE PELS President (2025-2026), USA
Session 1: High-Power Devices and Converters
Time
Title
Speaker
Affiliation
09:00
Transforming the U.S Grid: Innovations in Next-Generation Hardware
Andre Pereira
Department of Energy, USA
09:30
Modular Multilevel Converters Based on IGCT: Insights and Application Use-Cases
Philippe Maibach
Hitachi Energy, Switzerland
10:00
High Power SiC and GaN Device Technology for Sustainable Electrification
Mikael Östling
KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
10:30
Break
.
.
11:00
System Benefits, Design, Control, and Testing of High Voltage SiC Power Electronics for Grid Applications
Fred Wang
University of Tennesee, Knoxville, USA
11:30
Potential of SiC Power Devices for Overloadability Assessment
Muhammad Nawaz
Hitachi Energy, Sweden
12:00
Latest Developments on High Voltage Power Semiconductor Devices and Packaging
Alan Mantooth
University of Arkansas, USA
IEEE PELS Past President
12:30
Panel Discussion
.
.
Session 2: System Integration and Operation
Time
Title
Speaker
Affiliation
14:00
Renewable Generation Integration Through Power Electronics: GB System Experience
Xiaoyao Zhou
National Grid ESO, UK
14:30
The Role of Multi-Terminal HVDC Networks to Fast Track Capacity Release for Renewable Generation Integration
Johan H Enslin
IEEE PELS President (2025-2026), USA
15:00
Wide Bandgap Power Electronics for HVDC: Challenges and Opportunities
Jin Wang
The Ohio State University, USA
15:30
Break
.
.
16:00
VSC -The Right Toolbox for AC and DC Grids
Frans Dijkhuizen
Hitachi Energy, Sweden
16:30
System Integration Challenges of Renewable Hydrogen Production
Yin Sun
Shell, Netherlands
17:00
Interaction on AC side – Multi-Infeed Study – Theory and Practice
Ying-Jiang Hafner,
Hitachi Energy, Sweden
17:30
Panel Discussion
.
.
18:30
Mingle Event
.
.
Thursday 20 June
Session 3: Stability, Security, and Digitalization
Time
Title
Speaker
Affiliation
09:00
Navigating the Electricity Landscape: Perspectives on Power Electronics
Bogdan DŽONLAGA
Électricité de France, France
09:30
Bridging Theory and Practice: Managing Stability in Future Swedish Power System
Oscar Lennerhag
Svenska Kraftnät, Sweden
10:00
Passivity and Dissipativity as Design Objectives and Stability Assessment of Grid-Connected VSCs
Lennart Harnefors
ABB Corporate Research, Sweden
10:30
Break
.
.
11:00
Exploring Grid-Forming Functional Specifications
Xiongfei Wang
KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
11:30
Toward a Coherent Theory for Grid Forming Control Analysis
Xavier Guillaud
University of Lille, France
12:00
Power Electronics and Digitalization for a Flexible Fossil-Free Energy System
Ambra Sannino
Vattenfall, Sweden
12:30
Challenges on Power System Protection within IBR Source Penetrated Systems
Jianping Wang
Hitachi Energy, Sweden
13:00
Panel Discussion
.
.
Lunch 13:30
Close-Door Brainstorming Discussion 14:30
Time
Title
Speaker
Affiliation
14:30
IEEE Technology Roadmap on High-Power Electronics for Modern Energy Grids
Xiongfei Wang
KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
Session 3: Stability, Security, and Digitalization
Time
Title
Speaker
Affiliation
09:00
Navigating the Electricity Landscape: Perspectives on Power Electronics
Bogdan DŽONLAGA
Électricité de France, France
09:30
Bridging Theory and Practice: Managing Stability in Future Swedish Power System
Oscar Lennerhag
Svenska Kraftnät, Sweden
10:00
Passivity and Dissipativity as Design Objectives and Stability Assessment of Grid-Connected VSCs
Lennart Harnefors
ABB Corporate Research, Sweden
10:30
Break
.
.
11:00
Exploring Grid-Forming Functional Specifications
Xiongfei Wang
KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
11:30
Toward a Coherent Theory for Grid Forming Control Analysis
Xavier Guillaud
University of Lille, France
12:00
Power Electronics and Digitalization for a Flexible Fossil-Free Energy System
Ambra Sannino
Vattenfall, Sweden
12:30
Challenges on Power System Protection within IBR Source Penetrated Systems
Jianping Wang
Hitachi Energy, Sweden
13:00
Panel Discussion
.
.
Lunch 13:30
Close-Door Brainstorming Discussion 14:30
Time
Title
Speaker
Affiliation
14:30
IEEE Technology Roadmap on High-Power Electronics for Modern Energy Grids
Xiongfei Wang
KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
Organization
Sponsor
IEEE Power Electronics Society, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Digital Futures
Chairmen
Prof. Xiongfei Wang, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden.
Dr. Frans Dijkhuizen, Hitachi Energy Research, Sweden
