Prof. Frede Blaabjerg of Aalborg University

LECTURE ABSTRACT

In this lecture we will address the complex transition from fossil-based energy to renewables. This shift necessitates highly efficient power electronics technology for energy conversion, distribution, and end-user applications. Our discussion will focus on the role of advanced power electronics and control solutions in integrating renewable energies such as wind and photovoltaics into the grid, addressing issues of technology development, power converter technologies, system control, and synchronization. Additionally, we will explore future trends aimed at reducing energy costs and developing new power devices and tools to enhance system reliability, essential for scaling up renewable integration to meet global clean energy goals.

Biography:

Personal Statement: 

My motivation and interest in actively processing electrical energy have led me to pioneering research and innovation over the past three decades, as well as conducting leadership in power electronics technology, which is now being used to create a sustainable modern society and whose contributions are impacting us all on a very large scale. I realised years ago that advanced control of power electronics would enable the very large integration of renewable energy sources into the electricity grid, and I became convinced that research in new topologies and technologies for power converters would allow very- efficient and compact processing of electrical energy, enabling multiple applications. I will be very comfortable giving a lecture on “Challenges for the Massive Integration of Renewable Energies into Clean Energy Systems” within the Lecture Series on Enabling Technologies for Clean Energy Transition and participating in discussions with Industry and Academia stakeholders to engage synergies and initiatives.

Personal details:

I was with ABB-Scandia, Randers, Denmark, from 1987 to 1988. From 1988 to 1992, I got a PhD degree in Electrical Engineering at Aalborg University in 1995. I became an Assistant Professor in 1992, an Associate Professor in 1996, and a Full Professor of power electronics and drives in 1998. From 2017 he became a Villum Investigator. I am honoris causa doctor at University Politehnica Timisoara (UPT), Romania and Tallinn Technical University (TTU) in Estonia. I am Vice- President of the Danish Academy of Technical Sciences. I was the Editor-in-Chief of the IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics from 2006 to 2012. I have been a Distinguished Lecturer for the IEEE Power Electronics Society from 2005 to 2007 and for the IEEE Industry Applications Society from 2010 to 2011 as well as 2017 to 2018. In 2019-2020 I served as President of IEEE Power Electronics Society. 

Key outputs, contributions, and achievements:

I have contributed to the generation of knowledge in three main areas along my career, namely, i) inventions in the area of adjustable speed drives (the 1990s), ii) solutions to bring PV and wind turbines systems to being competitive grid assets (the 2000s),

iii) power electronics reliability and power system stability of power electronics-dominated power systems (the 2010s). I have contributed to the development of individuals by giving national and international courses, seminars and lectures (today most of them are specially invited), supervising (and co-supervising) +90 PhD students, and publishing +1000 journal papers (with 40 IEEE prize paper awards) and +25 books. I have contributed to the wider research community by successfully bridging academic and industrial research into power engineering and industrial-engineered solutions by initiating and directing many successful projects. I have contributed to broader society by promoting research and development at several societal levels, covering from high-reliability/efficiency/density solutions for aerospace applications to enabling universal energy access in rural and remote communities. As a recognition, I have received the IEEE Edison Medal, The Global Energy Prize – both of them listed among the most important 100 prizes in the world.

Email:

Address:Pontoppidanstræde 101, 76, , Aalborg, Denmark, 9220