On July 2-3, 2022, the 18th IET International Conference on AC and DC Power Transmission (ACDC 2022) was successfully conducted online. More than 800 experts, scholars, university teachers and students, and professional technicians from China, Canada, the UK, Germany, Nigeria and other countries participated in the online conference through Tencent Meeting. Additionally, over 40,000 professionals in this field tuned in to the conference via live streaming on platforms such as Weibo, Bilibili, WeChat Video, www.BJX.com.cn, KouShare Academy, and others.
The IET International Conference on AC and DC Power Transmission (ACDC) is a highly esteemed international transmission conference in the field of power systems. Historically, ACDC conferences have predominantly taken place in Europe, garnering widespread recognition and substantial attention from professionals, research institution scholars, university researchers and industry experts. In light of China’s recent advancement in power research and the successful completion of several large-scale Ultra High Voltage (UHV) transmission projects the IET, in collaboration with Tsinghua University, introduced the conference to China for the first time in 2016. Through the collective dedication of both parties and the unwavering support of key industry partners, ACDC has already triumphantly hosted the 12th, 14th and 16th conferences within China’s borders.
In 2022, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) once again collaborated with Tsinghua University and State Grid Shandong Electric Power Company to co-host the 18th International Conference on AC and DC Power Transmission (ACDC 2022). The conference was co-organized by Tsinghua University‘s Department of Electrical Engineering and Applied Electronic Technology, the State Key Laboratory of New Type Power System Operation and Control of Tsinghua University, the Energy Internet Research Institute of Tsinghua University, the Sichuan Energy Internet Research Institute of Tsinghua University, the Electric Power Research Institute of State Grid Shandong Electric Power Company, the Shandong Society For Electrical Engineering, and the High Voltage Committee of the Chinese Society for Electrical Engineering. It received substantial support from leading companies including Xi’an XD Power System Co., Ltd., Shandong Taikai DC Technology Co., Ltd. and Beijing Power Equipment Group Co., Ltd. Under the theme of advanced AC and DC power transmission technology that underpins the construction of new power systems, attendees shared the latest research findings in the field of AC and DC power transmission and engaged in extensive discussions on the current trends and future prospects in AC and DC power transmission.
The opening ceremony and keynote forum of the conference took place on July 2. Professor Rong Zeng, Vice President of Tsinghua University and Chairman of the conference, delivered a welcome speech during the opening ceremony. Distinguished guests, including Mr. Paulo Lopes, Director of IET China Region, Mr. Gang Sun, Chief Engineer of State Grid Shandong Electric Power Company, Mr. Yantao Lou, General Manager of Xi’an XD Power System Co., Ltd. attended the opening ceremony and shared their insights. The opening ceremony was moderated by Professor Jinliang He of Tsinghua University, who also serves as the Chairman of the ACDC2022 Organizing Committee. Notably, the event drew participation from a diverse array of attendees, including representatives from the conference's organizing units and supporting partners, featured speakers, industry experts, paper authors, and many others.
Figure 1: Partial Group photo of the opening ceremony of ACDC2022
Towards the end of the opening ceremony, the conference recognized and awarded outstanding papers selected by the technical committee. A total of 19 papers from research institutions including Tsinghua University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Tongji University, University of Manitoba (Canada) North China Electric Power University, Tianjin University, State Grid Smart Grid Research Institute were honored with first, second and third prizes, respectively.
Figure 2: “Best Paper Award” Winners
During the morning session on July 2nd, the conference featured keynote speeches by distinguished experts: Academician Licheng Li from China Southern Power Grid discussed “The Need for Power Electronics Technology New Power System”. He emphasized, “The large-scale integration of renewable energy generation presents significant opportunities for the advancement of power electronics technology. Future innovation should focus on high-performance power electronic devices, grid-forming power electronic converters, intelligent power electronic equipment, flexible DC transmission, and flexible DC grid, leading to the development of robust technologies”. Academician Weijiang Chen from State Grid explored “Flexible low-frequency AC transmission”. He highlighted, “The utilization of high-voltage, large-capacity voltage source converters to establish flexible low-frequency AC transmission systems provides grid flexibility akin to flexible DC transmission. This emerging transmission technology warrants in-depth research.” Professor Kuang Sheng from Zhejiang University presented “Advancements in Power Electronic Devices for Transmission”. He emphasized, “Power electronic devices are the fundamental components of transmission and distribution systems. Enhancing voltage-blocking and current-conduction capabilities is paramount for reducing system complexity, size and cost.” Professor Jinjun Liu from Xi’an Jiaotong University introduced “Power Electronics: Paving the Way for a New Era in Transmission and Distribution Systems”. He noted, “The field of power electronics and its related interdisciplinary technologies offer numerous opportunities, along with many challenging issues that need to be addressed.”
In the afternoon of July 2, the conference continued with five more expert keynote speeches, featuring both domestic and international perspectives. Professor Jinliang He from Tsinghua University’s Department of Electrical Engineering delivered a presentation on “Micro Current and Voltage Sensors for Intelligent Power Transmission Systems”. Mr. Yantao Lou, General Manager of Xi’an XD Power System Co., Ltd. shared insight on “The Application of IGCT in Future High-Power Electronic Equipment”. Professor Zhongdong Wang from the University of Exeter in the UK presented his research on “Thermal Performance of Zero Carbon Grid Infrastructure”. Benjamin Marshall from the UK National HVDC Centre discussed “Inverter-based Grid Testing and Performance Demonstration: Mitigating Risks Across Project Lifecycles”. Xiaoyao Zhou from the UK National Grid System Operator (ESO) provided an overview of the UK’s approach to “Grid Operation in a High IBR Network”.
The keynote session was chaired by Zhanqing Yu, an Associate Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering of Tsinghua University and Chairman of the ACDC2022 Technical Committee.
Figure 3: Keynote speeches
With the generous support of leading domestic and international universities, research institutions, power corporations, and relevant professional societies, ACDC2022 received over 500 papers from both national and international contributors. Following three rigorous rounds of evaluation by a panel of experts from multiple countries,286 paperswere ultimately selected for online presentation and poster display. On July 3, the conference hosted a special session featuring prominent figures from China's academic and industrial sectors. They engaged in in-depth discussions and exchanges centered around two primary themes: “Foundations of Sensing, Devices and Equipment for the Construction of New Power System” and “DC System Enabling the Construction of New Power System”. Simultaneously, the conference organized 18 parallel sessions, focusing on nine distinct topics includingAC transmission and distribution technology, DC transmission and distribution technology, DC grid technology, power electronic devices, and power conversion technology, among others. These sessions were chaired by esteemed experts and scholars from various domestic and international universities. They delivered academic presentations on their respective subjects and coordinated the oral presentations of submitted papers. The 18 parallel sessions were meticulously designed and ignited spirited discussions, collectively hosting 119 online special presentations that attracted participation from tens of thousands of attendees.
Figure 4: Group photo of special presenters and session chairs
As China continues to advance in UHV AC and DC transmission technology, it has increasingly garnered global attention in the field. This conference delved into the latest advancement and development pathways of AC and DC transmission and distribution technology within the context of “new power systems” construction goals. This discussion not only provides robust support for the evolution of AC and DC transmission and distribution technology but also makes a significant contribution towards achieving the “carbon peaking and carbon neutrality” goals and the establishment of new power systems.
Conference replay
