Fidel Fernández Bernal

Fidel Fernández Bernal is a Full Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the School of Engineering (ICAI), Universidad Pontificia Comillas. He has been a faculty member since 2000 and previously served as Head of the Department from 2010 to 2019. He is also a member of the Technological Research Institute (IIT) and heads the Electrical Machines and Drives Laboratory.

• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Universidad Pontificia Comillas (2000)
• MSc in Industrial Engineering, Universidad Pontificia Comillas (1994)
• BSc in Industrial Engineering, Universidad Pontificia Comillas (1990)

Fidel Fernández Bernal's research focuses on electrical machines, power generation, renewable energy, and wind generation. His work emphasizes power system stability, automatic generation control (AGC), fault ride-through, and the integration of renewable sources. He investigates dynamic modeling, control strategies for synchronous generators, and grid support technologies such as excitation boosters and synchronous compensators. His research bridges theoretical development with experimental validation and real-world applications in collaboration with utilities and industry.

His recent publications, primarily in IEEE Transactions and Wind Energy, show a strong trend toward enhancing grid stability in high-renewable scenarios. Key themes include synchronous compensators for PLL stability, wide-area control of excitation systems, wind speed modeling, and the impact of renewables on frequency regulation. His work consistently addresses challenges in transient stability, fault ride-through, and ancillary services in modern power systems.

• First National Prize in Industrial Engineering (1990)
• Best B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering in Spain (1990)
• Extraordinary Prize in Industrial Engineering (1994)
• Best 1% Top Student Award (1994)

Fernández Bernal has supervised multiple PhD students, including L. Díez Maroto and I. Egido, and currently advises J. Suárez Porras. He has led numerous research projects funded by MICIU/AEI, FEDER, EU (NextGenerationEU), and industry partners such as Iberdrola, Endesa, Alstom, and ABB. These projects cover topics like AGC implementation, excitation system analysis, and hybrid AC/DC system studies.

He leads the Electrical Machines and Drives Laboratory, where experimental validation of control systems and machine performance is conducted. He has also organized the International Conference on Renewable Energy and Power Quality (ICREPQ’16) and delivered invited lectures on photovoltaic modeling.