Prof. Jovica Milanović of University of Manchester

The future power/energy systems will have to operate, sooner rather than later, in a net-zero environment. This will manifest in a mix of wide range of electricity generation, storage and demand technologies (increasingly power electronics interfaced); blurred boundaries between transmission and distribution system; significantly higher reliance on the use of legacy and measurement data including global signals for system identification, characterization and control and Information and Communication Technology embedded within the power system network and its components. The key characteristics of such a complex system, would certainly be proliferation of power electronic devices in different shapes and forms and for different purposes, increased uncertainties in system operation and parameters and much larger reliance on the use of measurement and other data collected.

This presentation will first briefly introduce some of the key characteristics of  net-zero power systems characterized by high proliferation of power electronics (PE) based transmission and control devices/technologies and power electronics connected low carbon technologies (generation, demand and storage).  It will then discuss the control and operation advantages that introduction of these technologies offers, reflect on resulting challenges that their introduction in the power system poses and elaborate on the need for holistic (multi parameter, multi criteria and multi system) approach to solving the identified challenges. This will be followed by illustrative  examples of both, advantages and disadvantages resulting from proliferation of power electronics based technologies on power system’s steady state and dynamic performance and examples of a holistic approach to multicriteria multi system analysis of net zero power systems focusing on applications of nondeterministic approaches, use of data analytics and  machine learning. The presentation will conclude with recommendations for overcoming the identified challenges and harnessing the full potential of power electronics based or interfaced technologies for transition to net-zero power systems in foreseeable future.  

Biography:

Jovica Milanović received Dipl.Ing. and M.Sc. degrees from the University of Belgrade, Yugoslavia, Ph.D. degree from the University of Newcastle, Australia, and D.Sc. degree from The University of Manchester, UK. Prior to joining The University of Manchester, UK, in 1998, he worked with “Energoproject”, Engineering and Consulting Co. and the University of Belgrade in Yugoslavia, and the Universities of Newcastle and Tasmania in Australia. Professor Milanović is immediate past Head of Department (Dean) of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at The University of Manchester, UK, Visiting Professor at the University of Novi Sad and the University of Belgrade, Serbia and Honorary Professor at the University of Queensland, Australia.  

He was chairman of 6 international conferences, member of 9 (convenor of 3) past IEEE/CIGRE/CIRED WG, participated in or lead numerous research projects with total value of over £86 million, published over 650 research papers and reports, gave over 35 key-note speeches at international conferences and presented over 150 courses/tutorials and lectures to industry and academia around the world.  In addition to his academic work, he has been or is a consultant for various  international companies including,  Member of the Rolls-Royce Plc. Executive Advisory Board (Research and Technology – Energy: Electrical, Control Systems & Electronics), UK,  Member of the Electricity North West Ltd. Customer Engagement Group, Member of the Independent Net Zero Advisory Council, Scottish Power Energy Networks, UK, Member of the International Advisory Board, El. Eng.  Institute “Nikola Tesla”, Belgrade, Serbia and Member of Board of Directors (non-executive Director) of Montenegrin Electric Enterprise AD Niksic, Montenegro.

Professor Milanovic is Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (UK), Foreign member of the Serbian Academy of Engineering Sciences, Fellow of the IEEE, Fellow of the IET Chartered Engineer in the UK and  Distinguished IEEE PES Lecturer. He is a  member of IEEE PES Governing board, Executive Board and Financial Committee, IEEE PES Long Range Planning Committee and IEEE PES Vice President - Publications. He was a member of the IEEE PES Governing Board as Regional Representative for Europe, Middle East and Africa for six years, member and vice-chair of IEEE PES Fellows Evaluation Committee, Chair of the IEEE Herman Halperin Transmission and Distribution Award Committee, member of  the IEEE Fellows Committee and immediate past Editor-in-Chief of IEEE Transactions on Power Systems.