Professor Grahame Holmes is an Honorary Professor in the School of Engineering at RMIT University, Australia. His expertise spans electrical energy conversion, smart energy systems, renewable energy integration, power electronics, and grid infrastructure. He focuses on advancing technologies for sustainable energy storage, grid stability, and high-efficiency power conversion. Research Interests : Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Communications Technologies, Power Electronics, Renewable Energy Systems, and Grid Integration Solutions. His work emphasizes practical applications such as hydrogen energy storage systems, grid-interactive inverters, and modular multilevel converters. Recent Contributions : Prof. Holmes has published extensively on topics like advanced PWM techniques, resonant current controllers, and DC transformer designs. His research bridges theoretical advancements with real-world implementations, addressing challenges in smart grid stability and high-frequency power conversion. Advising & Grants : Supervised projects include 'Hydrogen Energy Storage System for Nanogrid' (2015) and 'Synchronised Control of Grid-Interactive Inverters' (2015). While specific grant details are not listed, his work aligns with major themes in sustainable energy research. Labs & Collaborations : Engages in collaborative research through RMIT's facilities, focusing on hardware-software co-simulation frameworks and FPGA-based real-time systems.
Srdjan Lukic is the Deputy Director of the FREEDM Systems Center and a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at North Carolina State University. His research focuses on power electronics, power systems, and electric vehicle infrastructure. He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology (2007). His work emphasizes high-power converters, DC microgrids, and extreme fast charging (XFC) technologies for electric vehicles. Recent projects include the development of a 13.2 kV solid-state transformer for EV XFC stations and resilient distributed control frameworks for smart grids. He has contributed to wireless charging systems and modular medium-voltage fast chargers. Key Awards: University Faculty Scholars (2022) Grants: DOE-funded XFC projects, modular EV charging infrastructure Labs/Teams: FREEDM Systems Center, RIAPS control architecture development Publications highlight innovations in microgrid control, power electronics modeling, and privacy-preserving distributed systems. His work addresses grid resilience, cyber-physical integration, and high-efficiency energy conversion.
Liangzhong Yao is a Professor and Director of the Smart Grid Research Institute at Wuhan University, China. He holds dual roles as Fellow of IEEE and IET, and has served in leadership positions such as Vice President of China Electric Power Research Institute (CEPRI) and Chair of IEC TC122. His expertise spans renewable energy grid integration, HVDC systems, smart grid technologies, and energy storage. Yao has led over 25 years of R&D projects with combined funding exceeding GBP 20 million and RMB 90 million, resulting in applied technologies in wind farms and HVDC grids. He has been awarded over 10 national and international accolades, including the IEC 1906 Standard Award and China Science and Technology Innovation Awards. Research focuses include AC-DC hybrid systems, distributed energy resource integration, and high-renewable energy grid operation. He has authored/co-authored 350+ publications, 60+ patents, and 4 books. Yao currently supervises 8 PhD and 10 Master's students, and serves on editorial boards of journals like CSEE Journal of Power Energy & Systems. His leadership roles in global standards bodies like IEC and CIGRE further highlight his contributions to advancing electrical engineering standards and practices.
Lars Nordström is a Professor at the Division of Electric Power and Energy Systems within KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden. His work bridges control systems , communication networks , and power systems , with a focus on future architectures, functionality, and quality aspects of ICT for power grid operations. He has led initiatives such as the Swedish Centre of Electric Power Engineering and served as Thematic Leader for Smartgrids in KIC InnoEnergy. In 2014, he was a Visiting Professor at Washington State University. Education : Ph.D., MSc.EE Nordström's research explores the intersection of smart grids , machine learning , and cybersecurity for power systems. Key areas include: Wide-Area Monitoring and Control (WAMC) systems Decentralized control strategies for DC microgrids Impedance modeling using neural networks Data-driven methods for islanding detection ICT reliability and protocol design for grid operations His recent publications emphasize machine learning applications in power systems, including LSTM networks for EV charging management, graph attention networks for stability monitoring, and digital twin approaches for cyber-attack mitigation. These works span disciplines such as Smart Grids, Power Electronics, and Data Science. Scientific Recognitions : Senior Member, IEEE Senior Member, CIRED Senior Member, Cigre Past Chairman, Swedish IEC TC57 Mirror Committee Nordström actively teaches and examines graduate courses like Communication and Control in Electric Power Systems and Computer Applications and Machine Learning in Electric Power Systems . His work influences industry practices through collaborations on digital substations, energy market analysis, and resilience strategies.
Sahar Pirooz Azad is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo. She holds a PEng designation and specializes in power systems engineering, particularly in HVDC systems and grid stability. Previously, she served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Alberta (2015–2017) and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Toronto’s CAPE Centre and KU Leuven in Belgium. Her research focuses on enhancing power grid stability through advanced control schemes for HVDC grids, converter modeling, and fault protection mechanisms. Dr. Azad’s work addresses challenges in multi-terminal HVDC systems, offshore wind grid integration, and multi-vendor system compatibility. She has taught courses like Power System Protection and Relaying (ECE 765) and Electromechanical Energy Conversion (ECE 260), reflecting her expertise in both theoretical and applied electrical engineering. Her recent publications emphasize innovative protection schemes for HVDC grids, fault detection algorithms using signal processing (e.g., Hilbert-Huang Transform), and robust controller designs for multi-vendor VSC systems. These contributions aim to improve grid reliability, fault resilience, and renewable energy integration efficiency. Dr. Azad is actively recruiting graduate students and holds Sole-Supervisory Privilege Status (SSPS) at Waterloo. Her research has been supported by European Commission-funded projects like MEDOW and leverages interdisciplinary approaches to tackle modern grid challenges.
Professor Raja Ayyanar is a faculty member in the School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering at Arizona State University (ASU), where he has served since 2000. He holds a Ph.D. in Power Electronics from the University of Minnesota (2000), an M.S. from the Indian Institute of Science (1995), and a B.E. in Electrical Engineering from PSG College of Technology (1989). His research focuses on power electronics, renewable energy systems (including PV and wind integration), electric vehicles, motor drives, and wide bandgap devices. Notable contributions include advancements in DC-DC converters, power conversion for renewable energy interfaces, and high-frequency power electronics. He has published over 200 journal/conference papers and holds 8 U.S. patents. Ayyanar is a Fellow of the IEEE and has received the Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Award (2005). He leads or participates in major research initiatives, including the ACEPS Center and the Power Systems Engineering Research Center (PSERC). His work spans industry collaborations with entities like Sandia National Labs, Intel, and BP Solar. He teaches advanced courses in power electronics and has advised numerous students. His grants include projects on smart grid technologies, inverter reliability standards, and high-penetration renewable integration. He is affiliated with ASU’s Center for Efficient Vehicles and Sustainable Transportation Systems (EV-STS). Education: Ph.D. Power Electronics, University of Minnesota, 2000 M.S. Power Electronics, Indian Institute of Science, 1995 B.E. Electrical Engineering, PSG College of Technology, 1989 Affiliations: Professor, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering Professor, PSERC and EV-STS Centers Grants & Projects: Over 60 grants from NSF, DOE, ONR, and industry partners Recent projects include dynamic sub-transmission-distribution co-simulation and EV/HEV traction drives
Sayfe Kiaei is a Professor in the School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering at Arizona State University (ASU), where he also directs the Connection One Center, an NSF I/UCRC Center. He holds the Motorola Chair in Analog and RF Integrated Circuits. Previously, he served as a professor at Oregon State University (1987–1993) and worked at Motorola’s Wireless Technology Center (1993–2001), contributing to wireless communications and broadband systems. Education: Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Washington State University (1987). Research focuses on RF/analog/digital integrated circuits, transceiver design, sensors, and power management. His work is funded by agencies like DARPA, NSF, DOE, and industrial partners. Key achievements include establishing two Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers (CDADIC and Connection One) and over 200 publications. He is an IEEE Fellow and has led technical committees for major conferences (RFIC, ISCAS, MTT). Industry collaborations span companies like Intel, Samsung, Texas Instruments, and Motorola, with expertise in 3G-4G wireless, bioelectronics, Bluetooth, GPS, and MEMS sensors. Awards include IEEE Fellow status (2002–present) and leadership roles in IEEE editorial and conference committees. Grants and projects include the NSF I/UCRC for Power Management Circuits, DARPA-funded research, and international initiatives like the Pakistan Centers for Advanced Studies in Energy. His lab develops cutting-edge technologies in full-duplex radios, MEMS-based sensors, and energy-efficient IC design.
Johan Driesen is a full Professor at KU Leuven's Faculty of Engineering Sciences, where he serves as Department Head of Electrical Energy Systems and Applications (ELECTA) and Director of the KU Leuven Institute for Energy and Society (KIEM). He also holds leadership positions at EnergyVille as Division Head and Subdivision Head. His work spans both academic and applied research in electrical energy systems. His research interests focus on renewable energy integration, power electronics, electrical drives, electric vehicles, and smart grids. Driesen's work particularly emphasizes distributed generation of electricity, with significant contributions to floating photovoltaics, offshore wind integration, and low-voltage DC systems. His research group actively investigates the optimization of grid integration for renewable energy sources and the development of advanced power electronic converters. Driesen's recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on practical applications of renewable energy systems, with particular focus on reliability analysis of low-voltage DC systems, optimization of PV-battery systems, and integration of electric vehicles with renewable energy sources. His work bridges theoretical analysis with real-world implementation challenges. Laureate prize of the Belgian Royal Society of Electrotechnics (KBVE/SRBE) 'Research and Development' for master theses 1996 2nd place in final round IEEE Region 8 Student Paper Contest 1997 in München, Germany Laureate biannual prize 'R.Sinave' of the Belgian Royal Society of Electrotechnics (KBVE/SRBE) for best PhDs 2002 Driesen has supervised numerous students and researchers, including J. Despeghel who completed work on residential PV-battery system optimization. His current research portfolio includes substantial projects such as Flux50 (working on the future energy system), solar and wind energy in the Belgian marine zone, and smart charging solutions that integrate e-mobility with renewable energy. He serves as promoter or co-promoter on multiple major research initiatives with funding extending through 2028. At EnergyVille, Driesen leads research teams working on cutting-edge energy solutions, with particular focus on DC systems, grid integration challenges, and the development of innovative power electronic solutions for renewable energy applications. His work has significant industrial relevance and practical implementation potential.
Dr. Majid Pahlevani is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Queen's University, affiliated with the Smith School of Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. from Queen's University (2012) and has prior roles as an Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary (2016–2019) and Chief R&D Engineer/VP of Technology at SPARQ Systems, Inc. (2011–2016). His research focuses on power electronics, renewable energy systems, smart grids, and energy storage, with a lab environment emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration. He has authored over 130 publications, holds 50 U.S. patents, and serves as an Associate Editor for the IEEE Journal of Emerging and Selected Topics in Power Electronics. Education: Ph.D. (2012) – Queen's University; B.Sc./M.Sc. (2002) – Isfahan University of Technology. Research Interests: Power Electronics Technology, Renewable Energy Systems, Micro-Grids, Smart-Grids, Electric Vehicles, Energy Storage Systems, Solar Technology, LED Technology. His lab, ePOWER Lab, engages in industrial projects across these domains, fostering teamwork and cross-disciplinary innovation. Scientific Awards: Includes the Early Research Excellence Award (Alberta), Research Achievement Award (University of Calgary), Teaching Achievement Award, and IEEE Canada's Research Excellence Award. Current Supervision: Postdoctoral Fellows Laleh Saleh Ghadimi, Sergey Dayneko, and Pavel Linkov (2022). He leads the ePOWER Lab, collaborating with industry partners like Freescale Semiconductor and SPARQ Systems. Affiliations: Member of the IEEE Power Electronics Society and the Queen's Centre for Energy and Power Electronics Research.
Dr. King Man Siu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of North Texas, College of Engineering. He established the Power Electronics and Renewable Energy (PERE) Lab in February 2022, focusing on power electronics technologies for renewable energy, smart grids, and electric vehicle applications. University: University of North Texas School: College of Engineering Department: Electrical Engineering Research Interests: Dr. Siu specializes in power electronics, renewable energy systems, and smart grid technologies. His work addresses challenges in: Efficient energy conversion for solar and battery systems Grid integration of electric vehicles and renewable sources Advanced inverter design for residential and industrial applications Reduction of magnetic components in power converters Reactive power management and circuit breaker development Modular solutions for DC distribution and rural electrification Publication Trends: His research emphasizes optimizing power electronics through innovative topologies (e.g., Manitoba inverters, interleaved totem-pole converters) and materials (e.g., SiC MOSFETs). Key areas include energy efficiency in photovoltaic systems, smart grid stability, and DC microgrid interconnection strategies. Contact: Email: Kingman.Siu@unt.edu Office: Discovery Park B233
Dr Brandon M Grainger is an Eaton Faculty Fellow and Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh’s Swanson School of Engineering, where he also directs the Electric Power Technologies Laboratory, serves as Associate Director of the Energy GRID Institute, and co-directs Pitt AMPED. A key architect of Pitt’s electric power program since 2008, he focuses on advanced power conversion, high-voltage electronics, wide-band-gap semiconductors, and aerospace power systems. Education PhD, Electrical Engineering (Power Conversion), University of Pittsburgh, 2014 MS, Electrical Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, 2011 BS, Mechanical Engineering & Minor in Electrical Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, 2007 Executive Education Certificate, Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University, 2019 Research Focus Dr Grainger’s work lies at the intersection of power electronics, high-voltage engineering, and sustainable energy systems. He specializes in medium- and high-voltage power electronics (HVDC, STATCOM), resonant converters, and ultra-high-power-density designs leveraging SiC and GaN semiconductors. His investigations extend to electric-vehicle traction drives, solid-state transformers, optimized magnetics for aerospace applications, and resilient microgrids. He and his students routinely collaborate with NASA JPL, Johns Hopkins APL, Honeywell Aerospace, and the Naval Research Laboratory, leveraging Pitt’s NSF SHREC center to push the boundaries of power conversion in space and defense systems. Selected Research Themes High-frequency, high-density DC/DC converters for satellite power systems Radiation-tolerant GaN converters and point-of-load power stages Medium-voltage testbed development (13.8 kV, 5 MVA) Rare-earth-free permanent-magnet machine topologies Model-predictive control of multi-phase drives and microgrids Honors & Awards 2024 IEEE Region 2 Outstanding Educator Award 2024 Pitt STRIVE Outstanding DEI Service Award 2019 ESWP Engineer of the Year 2019 ASEE 2nd Place Best Paper Award 2019 SRI Undergraduate Best Mentor Award Richard K. Mellon Endowed Graduate Fellowship National Academies of Science & Engineering Ambassador Senior Member, IEEE Grants & Industry Partnerships Dr Grainger’s research has been continuously funded by federal agencies and industry partners including NASA JPL, Johns Hopkins APL, Honeywell Aerospace, the Naval Research Laboratory, Eaton, and the National Science Foundation through the SHREC Center. These awards support graduate students and post-docs working on next-generation power systems for aerospace, naval, and terrestrial applications. Laboratories & Teams Director, Electric Power Technologies Laboratory (EPTL) Associate Director, Energy GRID Institute Co-Director, Pitt AMPED (Advanced Multimodal Power and Energy Development) Faculty Affiliate, NSF SHREC Center
Dr. Prasanth Venugopal is an Associate Professor specializing in Power Electronics with a focus on advanced energy transfer systems and battery technology. His research spans wireless power transfer, electric vehicle charging, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy for battery diagnostics. Primary research areas: Wireless Power Transfer (100%), Harmonics (88%), Inductive Power Transfer (87%), Battery Engineering (48%) Recent publications demonstrate expertise in transformerless converter designs, multi-level architectures, and AI-driven battery capacity estimation. He has pioneered meander coil topologies for harmonic mitigation and developed computation-light models for battery aging analysis. His work includes collaborations on Li-ion battery degradation, onboard chargers for electric vehicles, and hybrid power systems for electric aircraft. Despite significant output in IEEE Transactions, no explicit awards or student mentoring data appears in the provided texts.
Thiago Batista Soeiro serves as a Full Professor with exceptional scholarly impact, evidenced by over 200 research publications and an h-index of 27. His work fundamentally advances power electronics applications in transportation and energy systems, particularly through innovations in electric vehicle infrastructure and sustainable power conversion technologies. Despite the absence of explicit institutional affiliation in source materials, his research permeates critical IEEE journals and conferences. Professor Soeiro's research portfolio centers on: Power converter design for electric vehicle charging systems AI-driven battery health estimation using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy Wireless power transfer optimization for automotive applications High-efficiency topologies for more electric aircraft Hydrogen energy system integration Advanced semiconductor utilization in grid-connected systems Analysis of his 2023-2025 publications reveals accelerating innovation in wide-voltage-range converters, predictive battery management, and fault-tolerant power systems. His work increasingly bridges machine learning with power electronics, notably through computation-light AI models for battery diagnostics, while maintaining strong focus on practical implementation challenges in EV charging and aircraft electrification. No scientific awards or honors were documented in the available materials. Similarly, information regarding student supervision, research grants, laboratory facilities, or collaborative teams was not provided in the source texts.
Zian Qin serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Sustainable Energy at Delft University of Technology, Netherlands. His academic journey includes a B.Sc. from Beihang University (2009), M.Sc. from Beijing Institute of Technology (2012), and Ph.D. from Aalborg University (2015), all in Electrical Engineering, with a Visiting Scientist stint at RWTH Aachen University (2014). B.Sc., Electrical Engineering, Beihang University (2009) M.Sc., Electrical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology (2012) Ph.D., Electrical Engineering, Aalborg University (2015) His research centers on power electronics-based grid stability, solid-state transformers, and battery energy storage systems. Key contributions span DC microgrid control, magnetic material optimization, and EV charging infrastructure, with fingerprints highlighting expertise in power quality ( 100% ), voltage stability ( 87% ), and grid-forming applications ( 79% ). Current projects like ECS4DRES and GROW focus on resilient renewable energy systems and African energy storage solutions. His 154+ publications reveal strong emphasis on power electronics control ( 83% ), grid integration ( 79% ), and EV technologies ( 42% ), with recent work targeting microgrid vulnerability reduction and data-driven magnetic loss modeling. Awards include IEEE Prize Paper Awards (2023), World Top 2% Scientist recognition, and IEEE Innovation Awards (2024). IEEE International Challenge Excellent Innovation Award (2024) IEEE Open Journal Prize Paper Award (2023) World's Top 2% Scientist (2022-2024) Featured IES Journal Articles (2023) IEEE TIE Distinguished Reviewer (2020) As Founding Chair of IEEE Transportation Electrification Council Benelux Chapter and Dutch National for Cigre WG B4.101, he leads critical industry collaborations. His editorial roles in IEEE TPEL/TIE/JESTPE and projects like PROGRESSUS demonstrate significant grant leadership in next-generation power infrastructure. Lab activities focus on DC systems, energy conversion, and storage validation through Delft's Electrical Sustainable Energy facilities.
Birgitte Bak-Jensen is a Professor at the Department of Energy, Aalborg University, where she has worked since 1988. She specializes in intelligent control of power distribution systems, with research focusing on grid stability, power quality, and integration of dispersed generation and smart grid technologies. Her work also addresses multi-energy system interactions between electrical grids, heating, and transport sectors. Projects : Led EU H2020 projects (SERENE, SUSTENANCE) and Danish initiatives (EFFORT, SMARTCE2H) Publications : Over 250 papers on distribution grid control and smart energy systems Her research combines renewable energy integration , electric vehicle grid interaction , and energy storage optimization . Recent work includes explainable AI for wind forecasting and voltage control strategies for EV charging. 2025 Awards : Best Student Paper Award (2023), Best Paper Award (2021), CIGRE Technical Council Award (2018) Organizational Roles : Vice Head of AAU Energy Research, leadership positions in IEEE and CIGRE
