IEEE PES UK & Ireland e-Newsletter March 2025
Dear PES Member,
Welcome to your March 2025 e-Newsletter.
Upcoming Events
IEEE University of Strathclyde Student Branch AGM 2025 –16:30 pm on 13th March 2025, Mandella Auditorium, the University of Strathclyde
Over the past year the IEEE University of Strathclyde Student Branch has gone from strength to strength, organising several events, including a creative poster competition, public outreach talks about the energy system & solar from space, as well as organising social events and supporting other societies. On 13th March 2025 they will host their AGM where the PES Chapter Chair will be elected. For all local students who are interested in joining IEEE, IEEE PES, the student branch, and the PES chapter, feel free to join this AGM and network with peers!
More details and Registration: here.
Past Events
Event Review: Power System Optimization for Large-Scale Renewable Energy Integration: Confronting Intractability and Uncertainty on 26th Feb 2025 at the Univeristy of Manchester
On February 27th, our PES Student Branch Chapter at the University of Manchester invited John Wright, Europe & Africa Technical Application Engineering Leader at GE Vernova UK to deliver a guest lecture titled Evolution of Power System Protection and Life Cycle Management, at the University of Manchester.
This presentation introduced the evolution for power system protection over the last 100 years and into the future, considering the changing landscape of the grid. It focused on management of a protection systems over its complete life cycle from design, installation, commissioning and decommissioning / replacement, providing a strategic insight into how to manage this cycle.
Keep tuned with this chapter for more updates.
Event Review: Distinguished Lecture: The Energy Transition 2.0, When Conservisionism, complexity, and AI collide, on 18th Feb 2025 at the University of Birmingham
The PES Student Branch Chapter at the University of Birmingham hosted a distinguished lecture on energy transition at the School of Engineering (Y8), University of Birmingham, given by Prof. Adam Middleton, Vice President, Siemens Energy, and Sabrina Mercer, Head of Strategy, Siemens Energy, UK.
This presentation focused on how the energy industry has become even more volatile and uncertain following recent macroeconomic and societal changes.
More details will be soon on the chapter’s website: here.
Event Report: Power System Optimization for Large-Scale Renewable Energy Integration: Confronting Intractability and Uncertainty on 14th Feb 2025 at the Univeristy of Birmingham
On February 14th, our PES Student Branch Chapter at the University of Birmingham had the privilege of hosting a technical seminar, where Mr Bnagyan Wang gave an insightful presentation. The presentation, titled Power System Optimization for Large-Scale Renewable Energy Integration: Confronting Intractability and Uncertainty, attracted 20+ audience who were eager to explore the complexities of modern power systems.
Throughout the session, Mr. Wang highlighted the challenges posed by computational intractability in large-scale scenarios, the complexities of integer programming, and the uncertainties related to short-term renewable generation and long-term carbon pricing. To tackle these issues, he introduced practical algorithms and methodologies, demonstrating their effectiveness through case studies and experimental results.
Event review: here.
Watch Again: IEEE Seminar: EmpowerHER: Navigating Leadership in Power and Energy on 14th Feb 2025 at the Imperial College London
Imperial College London, PES Student chapter (including IEEE SB) together with UK and Ireland Power and Energy Society Chapter, UK and Ireland Power Electronics Society Chapter cooperated to organise this IEEE seminar at the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Imperial College London.
Dr Julia Matevosyan and Dr Vivien Foster presented an overview of their professional trajectories, tracing their careers from their academic beginnings to their current leadership roles. They also explored the technical challenges they have encountered throughout their journeys.
Watch Again: Here.
Event Review: IEEE Seminar: Navigating the Path to Net Zero: Challenges and Opportunities on 10th Feb 2025 at the University of Birmingham
The IEEE PES UK &I Chapter hosted a hybrid IEEE Seminar with the topic of Navigating the Path to Net Zero: Challenges and Opportunities, given by Owen Wilkes, FIET, Network Development Manager, National Grid, on 10th Feb 2025, locally hosted by the IEEE University of Birmingham Student Branch PES Chapter.
Owen shared insights into overcoming uncertainties and design challenges, highlighting how we can create a future-proof network that supports the UK’s Net Zero ambitions. This was an opportunity to understand the pivotal role of network design in shaping a sustainable energy future.
More event details will be soon on IEEE UK&I Official Website.
Event Review: IEEE Seminar: Megawatt Scale Silicon Carbide Converter and Device Research at The University of Edinburgh, on 5th Feb 2025 at the Univeristy of Birmingham
The IEEE PES UK &I Chapter hosted a hybrid IEEE Seminar with the topic of "Megawatt Scale Silicon Carbide Converter and Device Research at The University of Edinburgh", given by Dr Paul Judge, Reader, The University of Edinburgh, Royal Society Industry Fellow, Co-Director, EPSRC N ZEEE, on 5th Feb 2025, locally hosted by the IEEE University of Birmingham Student Branch PES Chapter.
During the presentation, Paul discussed the work of the Power-Electronics team at Edinburgh, where they have focused on some of the challenges associated with implementing Megawatt scale SiC MOSFET converters, including: busbar design for minimisation of commutation loop inductance; Effective parallel connection of modules to scale the switching performance achievable with lower-current devices to kiloamp scale, while also reducing voltage overshoots and oscillatory switching behaviour; and active gate-driving techniques to mitigate overshoots and oscillatory switching at source, with minimal impact on switching energy loss.
More event details will be soon on IEEE UK&I Official Website.
Watch Again: IEEE Power and Energy Student Branch Chapter Seminar | Hydrogen Pathways: Decarbonising the UK and Latin America on 12th Nov 2024 at the Imperial College London
Imperial College London, PES Student chapter (including IEEE SB) together with UK and Ireland Power and Energy Society Chapter, UK and Ireland Power Electronics Society Chapter cooperated to organise this IEEE seminar at the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Imperial College London.
Prof Goran Strbac and Prof Enzo Sauma provided a detailed analysis of the current integration of Hydrogen projects into the UK and Latin America energy economies.
Watch Again: Here.
Announcements
The IEEE PES UK&I Chapter won the IEEE PES Outstanding Award 2023!
We are delighted to announce that the IEEE UK and Ireland Power and Energy Society Chapter was recognised as the winner of the IEEE PES Outstanding Chapter Award 2023 for the Large Chapter Category!
This recognition implies that our Chapter will receive $1000 and a custom-prepared IEEE PES Outstanding Chapter Award banner. The Chapter Chair, Chapter Vice Chair, Chapter Secretary, Chapter Treasurer, Chapter Regional Representative will also receive plaques in recognition of their outstanding leadership.
The IEEE PES Outstanding Chapter Award recognises a PES Chapter for achieving excellence in providing its members with the best overall programs and activities. Each year the Power & Energy Society Outstanding Chapter Award is given to the Chapter that is judged to provide the most outstanding overall contribution and service to its members in the following categories: Technical, Educational and Student Activities; Societal Activities; Affinity Groups (WIE, WiP, YP), Membership Advancement, PES Conferences, Fellow Nominations and Awards, Chapter Operations, Communications Channels and; Enlistment of New PES Members among others.
Many thanks to all committee members and volunteers, especially to current and past Chairs who have made this recognition possible through their leadership!
More details about the award: here.
The official announcement: here and here.
Senior Member Grade Elevation
A Senior Member grade, in addition to professional recognition of your peers for technical and professional excellence, offers the following benefits
1. Eligibility to hold executive IEEE volunteer positions.
2. Letter of recommendation sent to your employer upon request on the achievement of the Senior Member grade and receive an engraved Senior Member plaque, etc.
3. Ability to refer other candidates for Senior Member upgrade.
4. Opportunity to mentor young engineers in fulfilling their career goals.
Why wait? Apply for Senior Member grade elevation online.
Additional information on Senior Member grade and eligibility is available here.
Did you know that the PES Chapter Committee can help you with identifying suitable references towards your Senior Member grade elevation application? Please get in touch with the PES Chapter Committee if you need help with this aspect.
Call for Distinguished Lecturers
Due to the past pandemic situation, the UK & Ireland PES Chapter is mainly organising virtual events. In this order, the chapter is calling for Distinguished Lecturers and general PES members (with proven experience giving lectures) keen on taking part of our series of webinars. If you are interested, please send the talk abstract and bio to the PES Chapter Secretary Lee Crudgington (l.j.c@ieee.org).
Renew Your PES Membership Today!
Renew your PES memberships to continue developing your career, accessing essential networking opportunities, and receiving other exclusive IEEE / PES benefits, including discounted memberships and much more.
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We hope you will have a great month ahead. Thanks for your time!
Regards,
PES Chapter Committee Team
