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Technical scope

In particular, the development of the future power electronics based power systems as an enabler for the future net-zero system will be discussed.

The conference will address the entire value stream, from top level system perspectives, over technology innovation and power electronics modelling and control.

For each theme, the session will begin with a keynote speech/ presentation on the “so what” of the topic area, and the key action areas/ priorities that relate to it.

This may be selected from the paper submissions where appropriate or informed by the content of those.

Theme 1 – Future net zero Power Systems

  • Outlook - quantifying challenge and key blockers and enablers
  • Planning and operating net-zero power systems
  • Bridging political ambitions and engineering complexity of the energy transition
  • Techno-economic analysis and optimisation of DC systems
  • Identifying staged implementation strategies and the anticipatory specification requiring techno-economic analysis justification
  • Modelling of power electronic systems for large area AC network stability studies
  • Impact on the grid of moving to 100% power electronic fed renewable generation
  • Control of converters in power networks with declined system inertia and low fault level networks
  • Real Time Digital Simulation modelling including power hardware in the loop (PHiL).

Theme 2 – DC grids: control strategies and technologies

  • Planning, design, specification, and operation of multi-vendor environments
  • AC system integration considerations from DC grids
  • DC hubs and DC networks, optimal topologies control and protection strategies
  • High power DC/DC converters (isolated and non-isolated)
  • DC grid control and protection
  • DC circuit breakers (hybrid and mechanical)
  • New forms of DC application such as DC hubs or energy islands
  • Strategies for AC and DC fault ride-through and fault restoration in DC grids
  • Multi-terminal HVDC converter control and protection (both VSC and LCC)
  • Generic DC grids with VSCs and LCCs
  • Testing demonstration and verification of the above.

Theme 3 – Innovations

  • Technology opportunities for delivery of large offshore systems
  • Stability and reliability options available from enhanced control, monitoring and specification
  • Definitions of Grid forming as relates to DC Grids and DC systems.
  • Onshore AC grid support; including grid-forming converter operation and ancillary services including black-start
  • Operation and control of offshore power systems
  • Advances in modelling as relevant to the analysis of DC systems and large power converters (real-time and non-real-time)
  • Systems stability - Incorporation and balancing of flexibility, stability and agility in the grid
  • Frequency domain techniques to manage HVDC interactions
  • Bulk power transmission cables including superconductive cable systems.

Theme 4 – Power electronics converters for HVDC/FACTS

  • Power semiconductor devices for HVDC/FACTS systems
  • HVDC power converter modulation and control strategies
  • Half and full bridge modular multilevel converters
  • Hybrid converters and modular converters with smart submodules
  • Other converter topologies
  • Strategies for internal fault management in modular and hybrid converters
  • DC technology at medium and low voltage
  • Innovations and Integration of energy storage through a power electronics interface
  • Grid-forming and Grid-following converters.

Theme 5 –Next steps towards implementation of net zero energy systems

  • New HVDC and/or FACTS projects planned or under development providing examples of new functions/ capabilities
  • Operating experiences (lessons learned) from existing HVDC and FACTS installations
  • Practical experiences in procurement, contracting, project management and supply chain management
  • Standardisation and interoperability
  • Asset Management – maintenance, retrofit and refurbishment of equipment and systems
  • R&D prioritisation
  • Policy enablement across areas of Front End Engineering Design, procurement, consenting and environmental assessments, and associated evaluations and optimisations.