Prof. Giampaolo Buticchi, University of Nottingham Ningbo China
Prof. Giampaolo Buticchi received the master’s degree in electronic engineering in 2009 and the Ph.D degree in Information Technologies in 2013 from the University of Parma, Italy. Between 2014 and 2017, he was a post-doctoral researcher and Guest Professor at the University of Kiel, Germany. He is now Professor in Electrical Engineering at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China. Prof. Buticchi’s research focuses on power electronics for renewable energy systems, smart transformer fed micro-grids and dc grids for the More Electric Aircraft. He is an Associate Editor of the IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics and of the IEEE Open Journal of the Industrial Electronics Society. He is the past Chair of the IEEE-IES Technical Committee on Renewable Energy System.
Lecture Title: Control For Reliability in Power Electronics for Resilient Electrical Drives
Abstract: This lecture explores how advanced control systems, especially modulation techniques, can enhance the reliability of power electronics systems for electric drives and other applications. It introduces the basic concepts of reliability in power electronics and how to control it using adaptive carrier phase shift modulation techniques. It also presents some examples of how these techniques can optimize the performance of different power electronics converters, such as cascaded H-bridge converters, interleaved dc-dc converters, and electric machine drives.
Prof. Radu Bojoi, Politecnico di Torino, Italy
Radu Bojoi (Fellow, IEEE) is a Professor on Power Converters, Electrical Machines and Drives and the Head of the Power Electronics Innovation Center at Politecnico di Torino, Italy. He has authored or coauthored more than 200 papers covering electrical drives and power electronics for industrial applications, transportation electrification, power quality, and home appliances. He was involved in many research projects with the industry for direct technology transfer aiming at obtaining new products. He is the co-recipient of 7 IEEE prize paper awards.
Lecture Title: Design Challenges of WBG power converters for traction applications
Abstract: The advancements of the WBG technology (SiC and GaN) allow the power electronics engineers to design new traction inverters with better performance in terms of power density, efficiency and switching frequency, with respect to their silicon counterparts. However, the replacement of the silicon devices or power modules with new WBG devices poses many challenges. This tutorial will present some design issues of traction inverters using SiC and GaN power devices, including the cooling and overcurrent protection and selection of the most appropriate DC link capacitor technology, especially when high switching frequencies are expected.
Prof. Ayman EL-Refaie, Marquette University, the US
Ayman M. El-Refaie received the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Wisconsin Madison in 2002, and 2005 respectively. Between 2005 and 2016 he has been a principal engineer and a project leader at the Electrical Machines and Drives Lab at General Electric Global Research Center. His interests include electrical machines and drives. Since January 2017 he joined Marquette University as the Werner Endowed Chair for Energy Sustainability. He has over 200 journal and conference publications. He has 50 issued US patents. At GE, he worked on several projects that involve the development of advanced electrical machines for various applications including, aerospace, traction, wind, and water desalination. He was the chair for the IEEE IAS Transportation Systems committee and an associate editor for the Electric Machines committee. He was a technical program chair for the IEEE 2011 Energy Conversion Conference and Exposition (ECCE). He was the general chair for ECCE 2014 and 2015 ECCE steering committee chair. He was the general chair of IEMDC 2019. He was the IEEE IAS Industrial Power Conversion Systems Department. He was the IAS Publications Department Chair He is currently serving as IAS president-elect . He is an IEEE Fellow and a member of Sigma Xi He received several prestigious awards including the IEEE IAS Industrial Power Conversion Systems Department Gerald Kliman Innovator Award and the 2022 ICEM Arthur Ellison Achievement Award. He is the recipient of three paper awards.
Lecture Title: Advanced Electrical Drivetrains for Propulsion and Traction Applications
Abstract: The lecture will cover the following 2 topics:
Very high specific power electric drivetrain for aerospace including the motor, modular integrated drive and thermal management system: This part of the presentation will provide an overview of an ARPA-E project led by Marquette University as a part of the ASCEND program to develop very high specific power electric drivetrains for hybrid and electric propulsion for aerospace applications. The target is system specific power of 12 kW/kg. The project introduces novelties in the electric motor, electric drive and thermal management system.
Low-cost rare-earth free electric drivetrain for EVs/HEVs including the motor, low-cost inverter and thermal management system: This part of the presentation will provide an overview of a DOE project led by Marquette University to develop low-cost rare-earth free electric drivetrains for hybrid and electric traction applications. The target is system cost < $7/kW, system power density > 12 kW/liter and DC bus voltage > 700V. The project introduces novelties in the electric motor, electric drive and thermal management system.
Prof. Xibo Yuan, University of Mining and Technology China, and University of Bristol, the UK
Xibo Yuan obtained his PhD degree from Tsinghua University and has held Professorships at the University of Bristol and China University of Mining and Technology. He also holds the Royal Academy of Engineering/Safran Chair in Advanced Aircraft Power Generation Systems. He is the Director of the UK National Centre for Power Electronics. His research interests include power electronics and motor drives, wind power generation, multilevel converters, application of wide-bandgap devices and more electric aircraft technologies. He is a Fellow of IET and received The Isao Takahashi Power Electronics Award in 2018. He is a Distinguished Lecturer of the IEEE Power Electronics Society and received several prize paper awards from IEEE journals and conferences.
Lecture Title: Opportunities, Reliability Challenges and Potential Solutions in Wide-bandgap Device based Motor Drives
Abstract: The fast-switching speed, higher voltage and higher temperature capabilities of wide-bandgap (WBG) power devices such as SiC and GaN devices have brought in clear opportunities in achieving high-density, higher-efficiency, higher-frequency and highly-integrated motor drives. However, high dv/dt and high switching frequency can cause increased level of motor over-voltage, insulation and bearing degradation and electro-magnetic interference. Under the high dv/dt of WBG motor drives, motor terminals and stator neutral will see clear over-voltage with much shorter cables than that under Si IGBT motor drives and the voltage stress will mostly drop on the first several turns of the motor windings. How the switching speed and switching frequency will affect the winding insulation (e.g. partial discharge) and motor bearing current will be explained. Experimental test results with SiC motor drives will be given and the theory behind the experimental observations will be provided with the analysis in both the time and frequency domain. Several potential solutions in addressing the above negative side-effects of high-frequency WBG drives will be discussed, including filters, waveform shaping through soft-switching and gate drive, alterative converter topologies, quasi-multilevel modulation, etc. SiC motor drive examples will be presented to further demonstrate the opportunities, challenges and potential solutions mentioned above.
Prof. Chris Gerada, University of Nottingham, UK
Chris Gerada is a Professor of Electrical Machines and the Lead for ZCC (Zero Carbon Cluster) at the University of Nottingham. Chris Gerada obtained his PhD in Numerical Modelling of Electrical Machines from the University of Nottingham, UK in 2005. His core research interests include the design and modelling of high-performance electric drives and machines. He established and is the director of the Cummins Innovation Centre and has also led several major research consortiums and centers (GE Aviation UTSP, FIRST-Advance Propulsion Centre, Actuation2015). Chris has secured >£60M of research income as PI and has a very strong track record of industrial engagement through industrial projects and consultancies. He holds a prestigious Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Electrical Machines, is also the past Chair of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society Electrical Machines Technical Committee and is an Associate Editor for the IEEE Transactions in Industry Applications.
Lecture Title: High Performance Electrical Machines enabled by advanced manufacturing
Abstract: High performance electrical machines and drives are key to enable future net-zero transportation. Improvements in power density, reliability, scalability, and efficiency can be achieved through novel and advanced manufacturing processes. Advanced manufacturing also allows for new geometrical constructs and materials. This presentation will first overview the requirements and challenges for high performance machines especially for the transportation sector. Insights into state-of-the-art and future requirements for aerospace and automotive machines will be presented. The presentation will then overview different advanced manufacturing processes, their potential impacts, modelling, and their challenges. A number of case studies will be presented to demonstrate how advanced manufacturing processes can impact achievable performance boundaries.
Seyed Mahdi Miraftabzadeh, Politecnico di Milano, Italy
In 2017 and 2021, I earned M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from Politecnico di Milano, Italy. Currently, I’m an Assistant Professor at the Energy Department, Politecnico di Milano, focusing on applying AI and data-driven models to enhance power grid stability and adapt to electric mobilities. Since 2017, I’ve been a member of the Electric Systems for Energy and Transportation laboratory, specializing in Smart Grids, renewable integration, e-mobilities, and infrastructures. My primary research involves Machine Learning and AI applications for (big) data mining in e-mobilities.
Lecture Title: Driving Sustainability: The Transformative Role of Artificial Intelligence in Mobility and Green Transportation
Abstract: Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays a pivotal role in transforming the landscape of mobility and green transportation. As we navigate towards a more sustainable future, AI emerges as a powerful tool to optimize various aspects of transportation, making it efficient and environmentally friendly. In mobility, AI enhances safety through predictive analytics, enabling vehicles to anticipate and react to potential hazards. Smart traffic management systems powered by AI help alleviate congestion and reduce travel time, contributing to fuel efficiency. Additionally, AI-driven navigation systems optimize routes, considering real-time traffic conditions and promoting eco-friendly transportation choices. Green transportation benefits immensely from AI applications. Electric and hybrid vehicles leverage AI for battery management, optimizing energy consumption and extending the lifespan of batteries. AI algorithms also contribute to the development of autonomous electric vehicles, further reducing the carbon footprint associated with transportation. Moreover, AI supports expanding public e-transportation networks by predicting demand patterns and optimizing schedules. This ensures efficient resource allocation and encourages the use of shared transportation, reducing the overall environmental impact. AI not only revolutionizes the efficiency and safety of mobility but also plays a vital role in advancing green transportation, contributing significantly to the pursuit of a sustainable and eco-friendly future.
Prof. Nicola Bianchi, University of Padova, Italy
Nicola Bianchi (Fellow, IEEE), received the M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from the Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Padova, Padova Italy, in 1991 and 1995 respectively. In 1998, he joined the Department of Electrical Engineering of the same University, and since 2018 he is a Full Professor in Electrical Machines, Converters and Drives. His activity is at the Electric Drive Laboratory, Department of Electrical Engineering, of the University of Padova. His teaching activity deals with the Design Methods of Electrical Machines, introducing the finite element analysis of the machines. His research activity is in the field of design and control of electrical machines especially for variable speed applications. He is author and co-author of more than 200 scientific papers on electrical machines and drives, and two international books on the same subject. He is recipient of nine best paper awards. Prof. Bianchi is also a member of the Electric Machines Committee and the Electrical Drives Committee of the IEEE Industry Applications Society. He was the Technical Program Chair of the IEEE Energy Conversion Congress and Exposition in 2014. In 2014 he became a Fellow Member of IEEE Industry Application Society.
Lecture Title: Analysis and Design of Synchronous Reluctance and PM-Assisted Reluctance Motors
Abstract: The presentation deals with the analysis and design of synchronous reluctance motor and a permanent magnet assisted synchronous reluctance motor. The analysis is carried out analytically and adopting finite element methods. A completely analytical procedure for a practical synthesis of both motors is illustrated, yielding a rapid drawing of the motor geometry, taking into account both magnetic and mechanical considerations. The assisting PM size is determined considering the demagnetisation limit according to the maximum current loading.