PLENARY SESSIONS
KEYNOTE SPEECHES
Prof. PAOLO MATTAVELLI
May 19, 2026
TITLE
Recent Trends for Intelligent and Flexible Control of Power Electronic Converters in Renewable-Dominated Power Grids
DESCRIPTION
The talk will present recent advances in control-oriented research for power electronic converters operating in future electrical grids with a high penetration of renewable energy sources. The focus will be on emerging challenges in the design, modeling, and control of power converters, with particular emphasis on system stability and dynamic interactions in applications such as renewable energy systems, electric mobility, and modern power grids.
The presentation first discusses small-signal stability analysis based on impedance methods, including topics such as impedance specification, stability monitoring, self-tuning strategies, and the role of high-performance oversampled current and voltage control. Approaches for impedance passivation and converter interaction mitigation will also be addressed, including the use of unterminated converter models.
The seminar further explores the potential of artificial intelligence techniques to enhance modeling accuracy and improve control performance. Moreover, the role of digital twins and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) platforms for system validation and testing will be highlighted. Some illustrative examples will be reported covering several application scenarios, ranging from laboratory-scale microgrids to multi-port converters, soft-open-point distribution systems, and offshore wind power plan.
SHORT BIO
Paolo Mattavelli received the MS degree and the Ph. D. degree in electrical engineering from the University of Padova (Italy) in 1992 and in 1995, respectively. From 1995 to 2001, he was a researcher at the University of Padova. From 2001 to 2005 he was an associate professor at the University of Udine, where he led the Power Electronics Laboratory. In 2005 he joined the University of Padova in Vicenza with the same duties. From 2010 to 2012 he was with the Center for Power Electronics Systems (CPES) at Virginia Tech. He is currently a professor at the University of Padova.
His major field of interest includes analysis, modeling and analog and digital control of power converters, grid-connected converters for renewable energy systems and micro-grids, high-temperature, and high-power density power electronics. In these research fields, he has been leading several industrial and government projects. His current google scholar h-index is 92. He is an IEEE Fellow.
Prof. CHRIS GERADA
May 20, 2026
TITLE
From Innovation to Industrialisation: Electrical Machine Drives for the Energy Transition
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DESCRIPTION
Electrification is one of the defining technological transformations underpinning the global energy and mobility transition. At the heart of this shift lies the electrical machine, enabling efficient conversion between electrical and mechanical energy across a wide range of applications, from transportation to energy systems.
This presentation will provide an overview of the evolving role of electrical machine technologies in modern electrified systems. It will examine the key performance drivers shaping current research and development efforts, including the pursuit of higher efficiency, increased power density, improved reliability, and enhanced levels of system integration.
Particular attention will be given to the influence of major application sectors such as aerospace and automotive. Aerospace is pushing electrical machines towards unprecedented performance levels, where extreme power density and efficiency requirements are driving innovation in machine architectures, cooling approaches, and materials. This includes the exploration of cryogenic and ultra-high-performance electrical machines for next-generation propulsion systems. In parallel, the automotive sector is accelerating the large-scale industrialisation of advanced electrical machine technologies, driving improvements in manufacturability, cost, and scalability.
The talk will review emerging research directions and technology roadmaps in electrical machines, highlighting advances in areas such as novel electromagnetic topologies, integrated machine architectures, advanced thermal management strategies, and new materials. At the same time, emerging manufacturing approaches—including additive manufacturing and advanced winding technologies—are expanding the design space and enabling machine concepts that were previously impractical.
Beyond individual technologies, the presentation will also discuss how the innovation landscape for electrified systems is evolving. As the urgency of the energy transition increases, research institutions are increasingly required to accelerate the pathway from fundamental research to industrial deployment. This is driving new models of collaboration with industry, stronger integration between low-TRL research and high-TRL validation, and the development of advanced research infrastructure.
Drawing on examples and case studies from ongoing programmes, the talk will illustrate how integrated approaches to design, manufacturing, and validation can help accelerate the development and deployment of next-generation electrical machine technologies across energy and mobility sectors.
SHORT BIO
Chris Gerada is a professor of electrical machines and leads the University of Nottingham's Zero Carbon Cluster of research. He currently also leads on a number of MW-class aerospace electric propulsion development projects including high voltage and cryogenically cooled systems and has also led the development of extensive open-access test and validation facilities.
Chris Gerada has over 20 years’ experience in high performance machines and drives, securing >£100 million funding through major industrial, European, and UK grants. He has published c.700 papers with 10 best paper awards, 2 book chapters, and 6 patents. Core research interests include design, modelling and manufacture of high-performance electric drives/machines including those for cryogenic propulsion.
Dr. AMBRA SANNINO
May 21, 2026
TITLE
Engineering the Future Energy System: A System Perspective on Electrification
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DESCRIPTION
The rapid electrification of society is transforming the electric power system from a relatively predictable infrastructure into a highly dynamic, interconnected, and complex system. This evolution challenges traditional boundaries between power electronics, electrical machines, system operation, and digital technologies, and is fundamentally changing how power systems are designed, operated, and governed.
This keynote adopts a system-level perspective on this transformation, exploring how interactions across assets, networks, control layers, and markets increasingly define overall system performance, stability, and resilience. Drawing on examples from real-world power system applications and applied research, the presentation highlights key challenges related to integration, coordination, and system behavior in future electricity systems, with particular emphasis on the Northern Europe situation.
Digitalization and data-driven methods, including artificial intelligence, are discussed as supporting tools that help engineers manage growing complexity, improve observability, and enhance decision-making, always in combination with physical understanding and engineering judgement. The talk concludes with reflections on implications for power system engineering, research, and education in the context of energy transition.
SHORT BIO
Ambra Sannino is Vice President of Research & Development at Vattenfall since August 2023. Previously, she was holding management positions within R&D, Technology and Business Development with other global companies such as ABB (2004-2019) and DNV (2019-2023).
Ambra has a Ph.D. in Power Engineering from the University of Palermo in Italy and is a Doctor of Science (Docent) from Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden. Prior to joining the industry, she was for a few years an Associate Professor in Power Systems at Chalmers University. She holds ca. 10 patents and has authored and co-authored more than 50 papers on power electronics in power systems and distributed generation.
Ambra is a Cigré member, a Senior Member of IEEE, and a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Science (IVA).
TUTORIALS
Dr. FABIO CARASTRO
May 18, 2026
TITLE
Powering the Future with SiC: Advanced Packaging and Integrated Converter Solutions
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DESCRIPTION
The reduction of COâ‚‚ emissions and the efficient utilization of electrical energy are critical drivers in the evolution of sustainable power electronics. Silicon carbide (SiC) technology has emerged as a key enabler, offering superior material properties such as wide bandgap, high thermal conductivity and high critical electric field strength. These characteristics allow for the design of power converters with higher voltage blocking capabilities, faster switching speeds and improved thermal performance.
Recent advancements in SiC power module packaging by Semikron Danfoss have led to the development of compact, high-performance modules optimized for automotive and industrial applications. These modules support high switching frequencies operations, reducing the size and weight of passive components such as inductors and capacitors. Additionally, the improved thermal management and low parasitic inductance of the packaging contribute to enhanced system reliability and efficiency. These innovations collectively contribute to reduced energy losses, lower system cost, and minimized use of raw materials, supporting the broader goals of electrification and sustainability.
This presentation will provide an overview of the latest SiC packaging technologies from Semikron Danfoss and their integration into high power converters. It will also highlight critical aspects of module operation such as current sensing, parallel configuration and protection mechanisms- key to achieving high efficiency, reliability and sustainability in next-generation power electronics.
SHORT BIO
Dr. Fabio Carastro - Head of Stacks Technology and Research – Power Electronics.
With over 20 years of experience in business-driven R&D, he leads innovation in high-power electronics for automotive and industrial applications. He earned his M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering in 2003 and completed his Ph.D. at the University of Nottingham, UK, in 2007. From 2007 to 2010, he worked as a Research Fellow at the University of Nottingham, contributing to advanced research in power electronics. In 2010, he joined General Electric’s High Power Electronics R&D department in Germany, where he held key roles in developing cutting-edge converter technologies. Since 2018, he has been with Semikron Danfoss, where he heads the Stacks Technology and Research division. His expertise spans high-power silicon (Si) and silicon carbide (SiC) devices, power module design, megawatt-scale converter architectures, system topologies, power quality, and reliability.
Dr. MARCELLO PUCCI
May 18, 2026
TITLE
Advanced Dynamic Modelling of Electrical Machines for Nonlinear Control of Variable Speed Drives​
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DESCRIPTION
The tutorial describes and analyses some advanced dynamic models of electrical machines conceived to be the backbone of high-performance nonlinear control techniques. The underlying idea is to have at disposal advanced controllers embedding a better knowledge of the machine behavior in a wider range of operating conditions, to improve the drive dynamic performance in the same operating range.
The first part addresses the simplifying assumptions and choice of the model state variables for classical dynamic models of rotating induction motors (RIMs), linear induction motors (LIMs), and Synchronous Reluctance Motors (SynRMs) and the related effects on the control performance. Starting from this analysis, some of the simplifying assumptions are dropped, some specific machine effects are properly modelled (e.g., Magnetic Saturation Effects for RIMs, Dynamic End-Effects and Iron Losses for LIMs, Self- and Cross-Saturation for SynRM), and the related dynamic models are derived and expressed in space state form in different scenarios.
The second part is devoted to the description of an advanced nonlinear control technique exploiting the previously described dynamic models. In particular, the input-output feedback linearization control (FLC) has been chosen since its dynamic performance is deeply related to the underlying model and related parameter. Thus, examples of FLC controllers and their experimental validation are presented for different scenarios including RIM, LIM, and SynRM.
SHORT BIO
Marcello Pucci received the MSc degree and the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from the University of Palermo (Italy) in 1997 and in 2002, respectively. From 2001 to 2007 he has been a researcher, and from 2008 to 2019 he has been a senior researcher at the Section of Palermo of the Institute on Intelligent Systems for the Automation (ISSIA), National Research Council of Italy (CNR) Italy. Since 2020 he has been a Director of Research of the Institute of Marine Engineering (INM), CNR, Italy. He has held several courses at the University of Palermo, Italy, University of Belfort Montbeliard (France), University of South Pacific (Fiji), and University of Rome Tor Vergata (Italy). He has coordinated several scientific projects in the field of electrical engineering. He currently serves as Responsible for INM-CNR, branch of Palermo.
His major research interests are electrical machines, control, diagnosis, and identification techniques of electrical drives, intelligent control and power converters, wind and photovoltaic generation, micro-grid control and management. He is a senior member of the IEEE. His current Google scholar h-index is 42. He is an IEEE Senior Member.
INDUSTRY TALK
Dr. SID ATTIA
May 19, 2026
TITLE
AI in Energy Systems and Energy Systems for AI: Applications, Verification, and Grid Impact
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DESCRIPTION
Artificial intelligence is starting to affect energy systems in two directions. On one side, it is becoming a practical engineering tool for the sector, supporting applications such as forecasting, condition monitoring and predictive maintenance, and reduced-order modelling and virtual sensing for electrical systems. These applications span both discriminative and generative AI. The distinction matters. Discriminative methods are already useful for estimation, prediction, and classification tasks. Generative AI is different: it can help with engineering productivity and workflow automation, but only if it is used inside a verified model-based workflow, where outputs are grounded in source material, checked against physical and operational constraints, and, when needed, tested through executable models and simulation.
On the other side, AI is also driving new electricity demand through data centers and other compute-intensive infrastructures. These are not ordinary loads. They are large, concentrated, and operationally specific, with electrical behavior shaped not only by compute demand but also by cooling systems, backup architectures, onsite resources, flexibility constraints, and power-quality requirements. Their growth raises concrete engineering questions around grid connection, stability assessment, harmonic performance, capacity planning, and the design of local electrical infrastructure. It also forces a more serious look at how such loads are represented in planning studies and how they interact with the surrounding network.
This plenary looks at both sides together. It will discuss a small set of AI applications in energy systems, including the role and limits of generative AI, and then connect them to the electrical implications of AI-driven load growth. The main point is straightforward: AI is not only a useful set of methods for energy engineering; it is also creating a new class of large electrical loads that changes how systems need to be studied, designed, and connected.
SHORT BIO
Dr. Sid Attia is Global Principal Engineer and Industry Manager for Energy & Utilities at MathWorks, working on power-system modelling, simulation, control, and analysis for grid modernization, renewable integration, hybrid energy systems, and advanced electrical-system design. He works across utilities, T&D, and research organizations on technical approaches for system studies, stability, control, and engineering decision support.
He holds a Master’s degree and a PhD from Institut National Polytechnique de Grenoble in France and previously served as a research associate and lecturer at Technische Universität Berlin. He later moved into engineering and consulting roles in industry, building experience across complex industrial and energy-sector applications. His work combines electrical engineering, control, optimization, and system-level thinking developed over more than 20 years across academia and industry.