About
The purpose of the meeting, kindly hosted at the University of Birmingham, is to provide a high-level overview of the ongoing activities in CIGRE related to Study Committee B4 (DC Systems & Power Electronics) led by UK Regular Member, Dechao Kong and Additional Member, Ali Kazerooni. In addition, a line-up of speakers will provide insights to working groups, technologies and trends (see agenda below).
Practical Information
The meeting will take place at The University of Birmingham, School of Engineering (Y8 on the campus map). The room location will be provided in your confirmation email once you have registered via Eventbrite (see below). Spaces are limited so it is important that you only register to attend in-person if you are committed to turn-up. Also, be aware that if you have not registered we will unlikely to have a space for you.
Travel to the venue
- By train: University Station (5 min walk away from the Y8 building)
- By car: Visitor car park is University of Birmingham: North East Car Park with all floors available with the exception of the ground floor. Parking Fee can be paid on machine or by the Ringo App with Location 15677. (10 min walk away from Y8 building)
Option to Attend Online
An alternative option is to attend online. Again details of the online session will be provided in your confirmation email once you have registered via Eventbrite (see below)
Agenda
10:30 | Arrival
11:00 | Welcome & Introductions
- James Yu (UK Technical Committee Chair)
- Jiajie Luo (NGN Chair), Nan Chen (NGN Vice Chair)
- Dechao Kong (B4 UK Regular Member)
- Ali Kazerooni (B4 UK Additional Regular Member)
11:25 | Standardisation, evolution and innovation: The next steps for HVDC transmission – Carl Barker CEng, MSc, Consulting Engineer, GE Vernova
11:45 | Gaining Commercial Advantages from New Technologies – Biljana Stojkovska, Transmission and Congestion Commercial Manager, bp
12:15 | Grid Forming development in GB system – Xiaoyao Zhou, Operations Policy Manager, NESO
12:45 | Networking Lunch
14:00 | Design considerations in integration of DC systems to meshed DC/AC Transmission networks, WG B4.98 – Afshin Pashaei, Network Operability Specialist, National Grid
14:30 | Quick Update of WG B4.101 ‘Industrial Implementation and Application of Grid Forming Energy Storage Systems (GFM ESS)’ and further presentation on Delivering Grid Forming Battery Energy Storage Projects – Xiaoming Li, Chief Engineer, Zenobe
15:00 | Networking Break
15:10 | Quick Update of JWG B4/C4.103 ‘AC Network Equivalents for HVDC and FACTS Project Studies’ and further presentation on Frequency Scan Toolbox: Data-Driven Solution for Impedance-Based Stability Analysis and Network Representative – Shuailong Dai, Power Systems Engineer, NESO
15:30 | Emergence of LVDC Technologies: Challenges and Opportunities – Ali Kazerooni, Managing Director, iGrid Technology Consulting and Nigel Jakeman, Engineer and Business Development Director, Turbo Power Systems
15:55 | Making Headway on DC System Interoperability, and What’s Next in the Development towards Further and Larger DC Networks – Ben Marshall, HVDC Technology Manager, The National HVDC Centre
16:20 | Quick Updates on B4 activities: Ongoing and Future Activities & Wrap-up – Dechao Kong & Ali Kazerooni
16:40 | Networking
Mission
To facilitate and promote the progress of engineering and the international exchange of information and knowledge in the field of Direct Current (DC) equipment/systems and power electronics applications. To add value to this information and knowledge by means of synthesizing state-of-the-art practices and developing recommendations.
Technological field of activity
- Direct Current equipment and systems including converter technologies and semi-conductor devices.
- Power electronics for AC systems and power quality improvement, advanced power electronics and applications.
Scope
Within its technical field of activity, SC B4 addresses DC systems and Power Electronics (PE) equipment in both transmission and distribution systems. The study committee also addresses DC Converters for the integration of distributed renewable (PVs) and energy storage as well as power quality control. SC B4 covers the full spectrum of DC systems and PE devices including technology, specification, design, implementation, operation, maintenance, refurbishment of DC systems and FACTS devices.
Within this framework additional specific areas of attention include:
- Theory, technologies, design, performance, operation & maintenance, and application of DC converters and systems;
- Theory, technologies, design, performance, operation & maintenance, and application of FACTS devices;
- DC interconnectors and establishment of DC grid(s)/multi-terminal HVDC systems to increase power transmission capacities and to reduce existing network congestions (AC network overlay), to enable power trading, to share spinning reserve, and to reduce energy costs;
- Technologies of inverters with Grid-Forming control capabilities to improve and enhance the reliability and stability of the PE dominated power system with integration of growing renewable generations and battery storage resources;
- Standardization and digitalization of Offshore DC platforms;
- Implementation of Interoperability of HVDC systems constructed by various HVDC OEMs for flexible and reliable operation and control of largely interconnected power system through HVDC system;
- Application of DC technologies and PE in distribution system for better power quality control;
- MVDC applications such as connection of large solar parks;
- Refurbish and upgrade of HVDC systems and FACTS devices;
- Inverter based Energy storage.
Working groups
View a list of CIGRE’s current working groups including for B4 here.