Conference Speakers

Prof. Vladimir Terzija (Keynote Speaker)

Newcastle University, UK

Title of speech: Smart Technologies and Data Analytics for Integrating Data Centres with Power Grids

Abstract: This invited lecture explores the transformation of modern electrical power systems under the pressure of digitalisation, renewable integration, and emerging load types. It begins with an overview of key operational challenges—reduced inertia, lower fault levels, and increased system complexity—before introducing smart grid concepts for enhanced data acquisition, monitoring, and protection. Particular attention is given to the role of intelligent electronic devices, communication standards (IEC 61850, IEEE C37.118), and time-synchronised measurement technologies that underpin advanced system integrity protection schemes.
The second part highlights how data science and artificial intelligence are reshaping grid operation and control, leading to the digital twin concept and wide-area monitoring architectures. The lecture then focuses on modern data centres as both major energy consumers and potential active participants in power system operation. Through examples of geo-distributed workload scheduling, carbon-aware computing, and integration with renewable and ancillary services, Professor Terzija illustrates how smart technologies and data analytics can turn data centres from passive loads into intelligent, grid-supporting prosumers within future net-zero energy systems.

 

Biography: Professor Vladimir Terzija was born in Donji Baraci (former Yugoslavia). He received the Dipl-Ing., M.Sc., and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia, in 1988, 1993, and 1997, respectively. He is a Professor of Energy Systems & Networks at the Newcastle University, UK. He is also a Distinguished Visiting Professor at Shandong and Tsinghua Universities, China, as well as a Guest Professor at the Technical University of Munich, Germany. In the period 2021-2023 he was a Full Professor at Skoltech, Moscow, Russian Federation. In the period 2006-2020 he was the EPSRC Chair Professor at The University of Manchester, UK. From 2000 to 2006, he was a Senior Specialist for switchgear and distribution automation with ABB, Ratingen, Germany. From 1997 to 1999, he was an Associate Professor with the University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia. His current research interests include smart grid applications, wide-area monitoring, protection and control, multi-energy systems, data analytics, and complexity science applications in power systems. Prof. Terzija is Editor in Chief of the International Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems, Humboldt Fellow, IEEE Fellow and the recipient of the National Friendship Award (China).

 

 

Prof. Yi Zhang(Keynote Speaker)
IEEE Fellow

RTDS Technologies Inc., Canada

Title of speech: System Level Electro-Magnetic Transient Simulation – Theory, Development and Practical Experience

Abstract: Electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulation, long regarded as a tool for detailed equipment and local network studies, is becoming essential for system-level analysis. As power systems integrate large shares of inverter-based resources, HVDC links, and FACTS devices, conventional phasor-based transient stability analysis (TSA) can no longer reliably capture fast control interactions, sub-synchronous oscillations, weak-grid instability, and converter-driven dynamics. This keynote reviews the theoretical foundations of EMT simulation and explains why large-system EMT studies are necessary, highlighting key application areas. It then addresses the principal barrier: EMT simulation is far slower than TSA. It discusses solutions including network partitioning, parallel and real-time computing, hybrid EMT-TSA simulation, and model simplification. It surveys current developments in large-scale EMT platforms and presents successful industry experiences. Finally, the talk outlines future directions, including high-performance computing, AI-assisted modeling and analysis, and automated model conversion, to make system-level EMT simulation faster, more accessible, and more trustworthy.

Biography: Dr. Yi Zhang joined RTDS Technologies in 2000, serving as Vice President R&D and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) since 2018. His expertise includes electromagnetic transient simulation, high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission, and voltage stability. He is one of the principal developers of the RTDS real-time simulation system, pioneering solutions in fully digital real-time simulation of HVDC transmission. He architected the latest generation RTDS platform - NovaCor, successfully increasing the scale of real-time digital simulation to tens of thousands of nodes. Currently, Dr. Zhang is conducting research on the quantitative analysis of electromagnetic transient simulation results and nanosecond-level real-time hardware-In-Loop simulation of Solid-State Transformer (SST) circuits. He is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, a Fellow of IEEE, and a registered Professional Engineer in the province of Manitoba.

 

Prof. Dipti Srinivasan (Keynote Speaker)
IEEE Fellow

National University of Singapore, Singapore

Biography: Dipti Srinivasan is a Professor in the Dept. of Electrical & Computer Engineering, where she also heads the Centre for Green Energy Management & Smart Grid (GEMS). She is a Fellow of IEEE, and was awarded the IEEE PES Outstanding Engineer award in 2010. She is currently serving as an Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy, IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, IEEE Transactions on Evolutionary Computation, IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems, and IEEE Computational Intelligence magazine.

 

Prof. Zhao Xu (Keynote Speaker)

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China

Title of speech: Modern power system inertia analysis and frequency support strategies under climate change

Abstract: With the ongoing climate change, the penetration of renewable energy in modern power systems continues to increase. The inherent characteristics of renewable energy units, such as high variability and non-synchronous nature, have heightened concerns over inertia and frequency stability in modern power systems. This presentation will analyze the evolution of power system inertia and investigate proactive strategies to enhance inertia levels. First, the conceptual changes in modern power system inertia under climate change will be studied. Grounded in the laws of physics associated with system inertia, a data-driven equivalent inertia estimation method, particularly accounting for the effects of renewable energy integration, will be proposed to enable real-time system inertia estimation. Furthermore, frequency support strategies for renewable energy units, including both grid-following and grid-forming approaches, will be developed to guarantee compliance with the minimum inertia requirements for frequency stability.

Biography: Prof. Zhao Xu received the B.Eng. degree from Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China, in 1996, the M.Eng. degree from the National University of Singapore, Singapore, in 2002, and the Ph.D. degree from The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, in 2006, all in electrical engineering. From 2006 to 2010, he was an Assistant and then an Associate Professor with the Department of Electrical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark. Since 2010, he has been with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, where he is currently a Professor with the Department of Electrical Engineering and the Leader of Smart Grid Research Area. He is also a foreign Associate Staff of the Centre for Electric Technology, Technical University of Denmark. His research interests include smart grid, renewable energy, and applications of AI and big data analytics. He has extensive research project experiences involving collaborations with academia, industrial, and business sectors. Prof. Xu was the recipient of several awards for research excellence, including the 2017 State Award in Nature Science from MOE, China. He is currently the Chairman of the IEEE Hong Kong Joint Chapter of PES/IELS/IAS/PELS. He has served/is serving as an editor for a number of IEEE Transactions and IET journals.

 

 

Prof. Hazlie Mokhlis (Keynote Speaker)

University of Malaysia, Malaysia

Title of speech: Nature Inspired Optimization in Power System Research: Towards Sustainability and Climate Actions

Abstract: Research in power system optimization has evolved from focusing primarily on conventional analysis such as unit commitment, load flow, and economic dispatch to addressing more complex challenges. These challenges include integration of various technologies such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, and smart grids into power systems. Additionally, the increasing frequency of extreme and unpredictable weather events necessitates optimization to enhance the resilience of power system networks. Some research efforts have explored nature-inspired optimization techniques such as Genetic Algorithms, Particle Swarm Optimization, and Evolutionary Programming to achieve optimal planning and operation of power systems. The primary aim of this talk is to discuss the application of these nature-inspired optimization methods in modern power system research. The current challenges facing power systems, particularly those related to renewable energy integration and extreme weather events, will be examined. Potential research areas addressing these challenges through nature-inspired optimization techniques will be highlighted. Finally, examples of research projects utilizing these methods will be presented to illustrate their practical applications.

Biography: Hazlie Mokhlis obtained the Bachelor of Engineering degree and Master of Engineering Science in Electrical Engineering from University of Malaya in 1999 and 2003 respectively. In 2009, he received his PhD degree from the University of Manchester. Currently he is Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Malaya. He is active researcher that has published more than 300 publications in Power and Energy Systems and supervised to completion 40 PhD, and more than 60 Master students. His outstanding research had been recognized in top 2% scientists by Stanford University in 2020 to 2025. He was awarded Top Research Scientist Malaysia by Academic Science Malaysia in 2021 and appointed as Fellow of Academic Science Malaysia in 2024. Besides research, he is active in the development of few Malaysian Standard related to power systems. His research interests focus on improving distribution system performance and resiliency against extreme weather. Prof Hazlie is a Chartered Engineer United Kingdom, Professional Engineer with the Board of Engineers Malaysia, Fellow IET, and Senior member of IEEE. He was Chapter chair for IEEE PES Malaysia session 2020-2022.

 

 

 

Prof. SHADIKE Zulipiya (Keynote Speaker)

Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China

Title of speech: Regulation of Oxygen Electronic Structure and Phase-Transition Kinetics in P2-Type Layered Cathodes for Sodium-Ion Batteries

Abstract: Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have been regarded as a promising next-generation rechargeable battery technology for large-scale energy storage owing to the abundance and low cost of sodium resources. P2-type layered transition-metal oxides are attractive cathode materials because of their high energy density. The activation of oxygen redox can further enhance their reversible capacity; however, it is often accompanied by irreversible phase transitions, local structural distortion, limited oxygen-redox reversibility, and voltage hysteresis, which significantly hinder their practical applications. Herein, we focus on the regulation of the oxygen electronic structure in P2-type layered cathodes and its intrinsic relationship with phase-transition behavior and Na-ion diffusion kinetics. Cation-doping strategies with different strengths of metal–oxygen covalent interactions are employed to systematically investigate the effects of dopant species on the oxygen electronic structure, interlayer gliding, and phase-transition behavior. A “cation potential” parameter is introduced to establish the correlation between cation doping and phase transitions in P2-type cathodes, and a corresponding phase diagram is constructed, providing a theoretical basis for structural regulation. This work establishes the intrinsic relationships among cation doping, metal–oxygen covalency, oxygen electronic structure, phase-transition process, and Na-ion diffusion kinetics, and reveals a general strategy for regulating the structural and kinetic properties of P2-type cathodes through cation doping. These findings provide new design principles for developing sodium-ion battery cathodes with simultaneously high specific energy, long-term cycling stability, and fast charge/discharge capability.

Biography: Zulipiya Shadike is currently an Associate Professor in the School of Mechanical Engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. She received her PhD in Physical Chemistry from Fudan University in 2017 and then worked as a Research Associate at the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). She was promoted to a staff scientist in 2020. Her research interests focus on developing high energy electrode materials as well as investigating the bulk/interphasial chemistry of lithium/sodium batteries by synchrotron X-ray based diagnostic techniques. She was a recipient of the “Young Investigator Award” in 2019 from the Battery500 consortium supported by the U.S. Department of Energy.

 

 

 

Prof. Rufeng Zhang (Keynote Speaker)

Northeast Electric Power University, China

Title of speech: Resilience Assessment and Enhancement of Urban Energy Systems Under Extreme Natural Disasters

 

Abstract:This report focuses on resilience assessment and enhancement of urban energy systems in the context of extreme natural disasters, systematically investigating the entire process of resilience evolution and collaborative regulation methods of urban energy systems across pre-disaster, during-disaster, and post-disaster stages. First, a scenario model of extreme natural disasters is constructed, and their disaster-inducing mechanisms are analyzed. Second, a resilience assessment framework covering the full disaster process is established, enabling the identification of weak links, rapid assessment of resilience levels, and quantitative characterization of recovery effects. Finally, to meet the defense and recovery needs throughout the disaster process, resilience enhancement methods integrating multi-energy complementarity, resource coordination, and full-process regulation are proposed, providing important theoretical foundations and technical support for improving the disaster resistance and supply guarantee capacity of urban energy systems. 

 

 Biography: Dr. Rufeng Zhang is a Professor with the Department of Electrical Engineering, Northeast Electric Power University. He’s an IEEE Senior Member. He has led more than 10 scientific research projects including National Natural Science Foundation of China and published more 70 SCI/EI indexed papers, including 5 "Web-of-Science highly cited papers”. He serves as an Associate Editor/ Youth editorial board member of Applied Energy, Protection and Control of Modern Power Systems (PCMP), Electric Power Automation Equipment (in Chinese) , Power System Protection and Control (in Chinese) . He also serves as guest editor of IET Energy Systems Integration and International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems. His research focuses on optimal operation of power systems with renewable energy.