Academic Seminar: From Energy Fundamentals to Power System Requirements — Grid Design, Safety, and Protection
This academic seminar, delivered by Prof. Lothar H. Fickert from Graz University of Technology (TU Graz), provided an in-depth discussion on the fundamental principles of power system behavior and the evolving protection requirements of modern grids. Grounded in the energy conservation law and Maxwell’s equations, Prof. Fickert emphasized that power systems must maintain instantaneous energy balance, and any deviation must be counteracted immediately through appropriate control and protection mechanisms.
Using the concept of the “Grid Expansion Triangle,” he systematically analyzed the core factors governing grid safety and stability, particularly under the increasing penetration of renewable energy. Key challenges—such as fluctuating short-circuit levels, reduced system inertia, and the limitations of traditional overcurrent protection—were illustrated through two representative case studies: neutral-grounding and fault-handling under low short-circuit conditions, and protection challenges for inverter-based resources.
To address these issues, Prof. Fickert introduced several innovative solutions, including low-voltage blocking overcurrent protection, low-impedance-initiated distance protection, and a novel non-impedance-based distance protection algorithm, supported by real-world test results that demonstrate improvements in sensitivity and reliability.
He further highlighted the need for a bidirectional adaptation paradigm—“protection systems adapted to the grid” and “the grid adapted to protection systems”—as modern power systems transition toward high-renewable, high-power-electronic configurations. Emerging topics such as cyber-physical system security and adaptive grid protection architectures were also emphasized as critical directions for future research and deployment.
A lively discussion followed the presentation, with active participation from faculty members, graduate students, and invited experts.
Date and Time
Location
Hosts
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- Northeast Electric Power University
- School of Electrical Engineering
- Jilin, Jilin
- China 132012
- Building: Electrical Engineering Building
- Room Number: A412
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For inquiries regarding this seminar or Chapter activities, please contact:
Dr. Yang Li
Chair, IEEE Systems Council Harbin Section Chapter (CH11207)
Email: liyangnedu@gmail.comCo-organizing Institution:
School of Electrical Engineering,
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Speakers
Lothar H. Fickert of Graz University of Technology, Austria
From Energy Fundamentals to Power System Requirements: Grid Design, Safety, and Protection
Prof. Lothar H. Fickert delivered a technical seminar on the fundamentals and requirements of modern power systems, focusing on grid design, system safety, and protection under high penetration of renewable energy. The seminar introduced the “Grid Expansion Triangle” framework and analyzed the challenges posed by short-circuit power fluctuation, reduced system inertia, and inverter-based resources. Prof. Fickert examined grounding practices and inverter protection characteristics through representative case studies and highlighted the limitations of conventional overcurrent protection in low-fault-current scenarios. He further presented innovative protection solutions—including low-voltage blocking overcurrent protection, low-impedance starting distance protection, and non-impedance distance protection algorithms—demonstrating their practical performance and benefits for enhancing protection sensitivity and reliability.
Biography:
Prof. Lothar H. Fickert is a Full Professor at Graz University of Technology, Austria. He has more than 25 years of industrial and academic experience, having previously worked at ELIN UNION, Brown Boveri (ABB), and Wienstrom on grid planning, system protection, and grounding. Since 1998, he has been with the Institute of Electrical Power Systems at TU Graz, where he has supervised over 50 PhD students and authored more than 200 publications. His research interests cover power system protection, grounding, renewable integration challenges, and safety in cyber-physical power systems. Prof. Fickert actively contributes to multiple international technical organizations, including IEC, CIGRE, CIRED, VDE, and ÖVE.
Email:
Address:Rechbauerstraße 12, , Graz, Steiermark, Austria, 8010
Agenda
Agenda (14:00-16:00)
14:00–14:05
Opening remarks
Dr. Yinfeng Sun, School of Electrical Engineering, Northeast Electric Power University
14:05–15:05
Academic Lecture
Prof. Lothar H. Fickert, Graz University of Technology (Austria)
Topic: From Energy Fundamentals to Power System Requirements: Grid Design, Safety, and Protection
15:05–15:50
Q&A and open discussion
(Faculty members, postgraduate students, and attendees)
15:50–16:00
Closing remarks and group photo
Media
| Fickert_Seminar_Grid_Design_Safety_Protection_Poster_2025-10-29 | Official poster for the academic seminar delivered by Prof. Lothar H. Fickert (Graz University of Technology) on October 29, 2025. The poster provides the talk title, abstract, speaker biography, schedule, venue information, and Tencent Meeting access details for hybrid participation. | 309.69 KiB |
| Fickert_Seminar_Lecture_Photo_2025-10-29 | Lecture photo from the academic seminar delivered by Prof. Lothar H. Fickert (Graz University of Technology) at Northeast Electric Power University on October 29, 2025. The image shows Prof. Fickert explaining neutral grounding and earth-fault treatment methods, with faculty and students attending the in-person session. | 120.36 KiB |