Dr. Jeremy Watson

The power system is changing rapidly due to an influx of renewable energy integration, electric vehicles, and other sustainable energy technologies which underpin the energy transition. Due to the various advantages of DC transmission and distribution, the power system is likely to evolve into a hybrid AC/DC network. The stability and control of AC power systems dominated by synchronous generators is relatively well understood. However, in a hybrid AC/DC system, the behaviour of power electronic converters (especially those which connect AC and DC parts of the grid, otherwise known as interlinking converters) is crucial for stability, and this is not as well understood. In this talk, the speaker will highlight recent research into the stability of hybrid AC/DC systems, addressing how to design converter controllers to ensure they enhance the stability of the power system. The speaker will also discuss ongoing challenges and opportunities.

Biography:

Dr. Jeremy Watson received the BE Hons (1st) degree in electrical engineering from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand and the PhD degree in engineering from the University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K., in 2021. He is currently a Senior Lecturer at the University of Canterbury. His research interests include control, analysis, and optimization of power networks, focusing especially on hybrid AC/DC networks and microgrids.