Keynote Speakers

Professor René Peter Paul Smeets

Fellow of IEEE and CIGRE

Advisor to KEMA Labs, the Netherlands

Speech Title: Innovative Switching Technology as Decarbonization Enabler

Abstract: Almost all innovations in power engineering are related to the energy transition, which aims towards a total decarbonization of the energy value chain around the middle of this century. In this keynote, the contribution of switching technology for the decarbonization will be highlighted. Two cases will be discussed:

In recent years, replacement of the intense greenhouse gas SF6 is a strong driver towards innovation. This has lead to the development of technology and products with a very low greenhouse warming potential using SF6-free technology for insulation and current interruption in HVAC transmission systems. One technology uses compressed air for insulation and vacuum interrupters for current interruption, whereas a competing technology uses a mixture of natural origin gases with a fluorinated compound covering insulation and interruption. The development, challenges and actual status of these technologies will be highlighted.

The second case is related to high-voltage DC transmission. For the harvesting of large scale renewable energy, meshed HVDC transmission grids are essential and under development. For the reliable operation of HVDC grids, HVDC circuit breakers are crucial. Also in this case, two technologies compete, one based on high-frequency current injection in ultra-fast vacuum switches, the other on power electronics combined with mechanical switches. Technologies, their challenges, status and projects will be highlighted, that will clarify why fault current interruption in DC systems is a special technological challenge.

Bio.: René Peter Paul Smeets received a PhD degree for research work on switchgear in 1987. Until 1995, he was an assistant professor at Eindhoven University. During 1991 he worked with Toshiba Corporation in Japan on vacuum switchgear. In 1995, he joined KEMA, the Netherlands. At present, he is retired from KEMA Laboratories of CESI Group, but still active as an advisor. From 2001 -2013 he was part-time professor at Eindhoven University, the Netherlands. In 2013 he became adjunct professor at Xi’an Jiaotong University, China. Dr. Smeets is member of various of study/advisory committees of CIGRE after being in the lead of working groups in the field of emerging switching technologies such as HV vacuum switchgear, HVDC switchgear and SF6 alternatives. He was convener of two maintenance teams in IEC on standardization of high-voltage switchgear. In 2008 he was elected Fellow of IEEE and in 2022 he was awarded a Fellowship of CIGRE. Since 2008 he is chairman of the “Current Zero Club”, a scientific study group on current interruption. Dr. Smeets published and edited three books and authored over 300 international papers on testing and high-voltage switching technology in power systems. He received nine international awards, and conducted numerous trainings on all aspects of T&D switching technology all over the world.

Professor Pat Wheeler

IEEE PELS Vice-President for Technical Operations (2021 to date)

University of Nottingham, UK

Speech Title: Electrical Propulsion Systems for Transportation Electrification: Power Electronics as the Enabling Technology

Abstract: This presentation will consider the roadmaps for transportation electrification and the technological developments in use of power electronics which are going to be needed to make these visions viable. These developments and technology challenges will include the electrical drivetrain design and the applications of motor design and power converter topology choices as well as the impact of emerging technology advances including cooling techniques, integration, system optimisation and wide-bandgap semiconductors. The Challenges for us as Power Electronics or Electrical Machines experts will also be explored and case studies from superbikes, solar cars and trucks used to illustrate the approaches being taken.

Bio.: Prof Pat Wheeler received his BEng [Hons] degree in Electrical Engineering in 1990 from the University of Bristol, UK. He received his PhD degree for his work on Matrix Converters from the University of Bristol, UK in 1994. In 1993 he moved to the University of Nottingham and worked as a research assistant in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. In 1996 he became a Lecturer in the Power Electronics, Machines and Control Group at the University of Nottingham, UK. Since January 2008 he has been a Full Professor in the same research group.

He is currently the Director for Global Engagement in the Faculty of Engineering and the Director of the Power Electronics, Machines and Control Research Institute. He was Head of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Nottingham from 2015 to 2018. He is a member of the IEEE PELs AdCom and is currently IEEE PELS Vice-President for Technical Operations (2021 to date). He has published over 950 academic publications in leading international conferences and journals.