The “Selection of Top 10 News of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Applied Electronics (EEA) in 2023” activity has recently concluded, with 10 articles selected as the “Top 10 News of EEA in 2023,” including “Party Committee of EEA Held Expanded Meeting of Theoretical Study Center Group to Study, Convey, and Deploy Theme Education Work” among others.

Top 10 News of EEA in 2023

I. Party Building Guides Central Work

Party Committee of EEA Held Expanded Meeting of Theoretical Study Center Group to Study, Convey, and Deploy Theme Education Work

On the afternoon of April 20th, the Party Committee of EEA held an expanded meeting of the theoretical study center group in Room 3-314 of the West Main Building. The meeting was attended by more than 50 members, including the members of the party and government team, party committee members, party branch secretaries of teachers and students, and party building assistants. The meeting was chaired by Yu Xinjie, the Secretary of the Party Committee. Yu Xinjie conveyed the “Implementation Plan of Tsinghua University to Learn and Implement Xi Jinping’s Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era” and the “Work Plan of Tsinghua University to Learn and Implement Xi Jinping’s Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era for Faculty and Staff Party Branches,” along with relevant instructions, and deployed the theme education work based on EEA’s actual situation.

II. Outstanding Achievements in Talent Cultivation

Teaching Achievements of Course of Principle of Electrical Circuit at EEA Won Second Prize of National Teaching Achievements (Undergraduate) in 2022

The list of winners of the 2022 National Teaching Achievements (Undergraduate) was announced on the official website of the Ministry of Education. The teaching achievement “Comprehensive Educational Reform of the Course of Principle of Electrical Circuit: Online and Offline Hybrid, Multiple Modes Coexisting, Collaborative Education for Quality Enhancement” of EEA won the second prize (project leaders: Yu Xinjie, Zhu Guiping, Zhao Wei, Huang Songling, Ding Qingqing, Yang Ying, Liu Yingyan, and Xie Xiaorong). The achievement summarized the in-depth thinking and solutions of the teaching group for Principle of Electrical Circuit since 2013. Starting from three problems, a series of methods were proposed and practiced, from resource construction to mode exploration and then to quality enhancement, opening up a new path for the core curriculum to achieve moral education in the new era.

III. Abundant Achievements in Scientific Research

Breakthrough in Key Technology Research and Product Development of Hybrid Modular Multilevel Converters Based on IGCT

On July 29, the Technology Assessment Conference for the project “Research and Product Development of Key Technologies for Hybrid Line-Commutated Converters based on IGCT”, organized by China Machinery Industry Federation, was held in Beijing using a hybrid format of both online and offline participation. More than 70 attendees, including experts from the assessment committee, representatives from China Machinery Industry Federation, as well as personnel from Tsinghua University, Xi’an Xidian Power System Co., Ltd., Huairou Laboratory, State Grid He’nan Provincial Power Company, Xi’an Peri Power Semiconductor Converter Technology Co., Ltd., and Tsinghua Sichuan Energy Internet Research Institute, attended the event. Following inquiries, clarifications and discussions, the assessment committee unanimously concluded that “this technological achievement possesses complete independent intellectual property rights” and “overall, it has reached an international leading level,” thereby recommending its accelerated implementation in engineering applications. Hybrid commutated converters based on the new IGCT devices can be used for the renovation of conventional DC engineering or the construction of new ultra-high-voltage DC transmission projects. They retain the advantages of high capacity, low cost, low loss, and high reliability similar to LCC conventional DC transmission, significantly reducing the reactive power compensation requirements at converter stations. This represents a new breakthrough in DC transmission technology.

IV. Increasing Influence of Published Works

EEA Published an Article in “Nature · Materials” Reporting on Self-diagnostic Insulation Materials for Electrical Aging

Professors He Jinliang and Associate Professor Li Qi, along with their research team, addressed a critical issue in electrical equipment and electronic systems regarding the early detection of electrical aging in insulation materials. This aging, if not effectively warned against, can lead to catastrophic electrical breakdown. After seven years of dedicated exploration, the team introduced intelligent response insulation materials with self-diagnostic capabilities for electrical aging. These materials spontaneously produce visually identifiable color warning signals when undergoing electrical aging, eliminating the need for external testing or analytical methods. This method is expected to reduce the risk of electrical breakdown in insulation media and electronic devices within electrical equipment and electronic systems, ensuring the reliable operation of electrical, energy, and electronic systems. The research findings, titled “Autonomous Indication of Electrical Degradation in Polymers,” were published in the international academic journal “Nature · Materials” with an impact factor of 41.2.

V. Successful Hosting of a Series of Conferences

2023 National Energy Internet Conference Successfully Held in Shanghai

From October 26 to 27, the 2023 National Energy Internet Conference, hosted by Tsinghua University and the National Energy Internet Industry and Technology Innovation Alliance, was grandly held in Shanghai. With the theme of “Addressing the Challenges of Carbon Dual Control, Building a New Energy System,” the conference aimed to implement the solemn commitments made by the country to the world of “carbon peaking by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060” and the important deployment of “accelerating the planning and construction of a new energy system” in the report of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, actively responding to the new opportunities and challenges in the process of developing the energy Internet in achieving the dual carbon goals, constructing a new power system, and building a new energy system. More than 700 industry experts and leaders, including Wang Yan, Deputy Director of the Academic Affairs Committee and Vice President of the Tsinghua Alumni Association of Tsinghua University, Chen Weijiang, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chief Advisor of State Grid Corporation of China, and Liang Jianyong, former Director of the Information Center of the National Energy Administration, attended the offline conference, while more than 100,000 viewers watched the live broadcast through platforms such as Tsinghua University and the China Electric Power Research Institute Journal Center.

VI. Winning Multiple Awards and Honors

A Research Team Led by Professor Song Hongbin of EEA Was Granted an Innovative Research Group Project from National Natural Science Foundation

The National Natural Science Foundation of China issued an approval notice, granting Professor Sun Hongbin of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Applied Electronics (EEA) as the leader of the innovative research group project “Safety Analysis and Intelligent Control of New Type Power Systems”. This innovative research group consists of members including Professor Sun Hongbin, Professor Kang Chongqing, Professor Wu Wenchuan, Professor Xie Xiaorong, Professor Guo Qinglai, and Professor Chen Qixin. Among them, there are 3 IEEE Fellows, 6 IET Fellows, 3 CSEE Fellows, and 10 individuals with national-level talent titles.

VII. Continuous Advancement in Cooperation and Exchange

Technology Exchange Meeting between Technology Department of State Grid and EEA of Tsinghua University Was Held

The Technology Exchange Meeting between the Technology Department of State Grid and the Department of Electrical Engineering and Applied Electronics (EEA) of Tsinghua University was held on the morning of February 7 in the West Main Building. Academician Guo Jianbo of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Director Chen Mei and Deputy Director Xu Haiqing of the Science and Technology Department of the State Grid Corporation, Gao Keli, general manager of China Electric Power Research Institute, Wang Weisheng, Zheng Yuping, and Sheng Wanxing, academicians of China Electric Power Research Institute, Yin Yu, director of the Science and Technology Department of China Electric Power Research Institute, Kang Chongqing, Dean of EEA, and Min Yong, Director of the State Key Laboratory for Operation and Control of New Type Power Systems, attended the meeting. The meeting was chaired by Lu Chao, Deputy Dean of EEA. Lu Chao introduced the discipline construction of EEA and the key research directions in the field of energy and electricity. Academician Guo Jianbo, Director Chen Mei, etc. put forward many questions that need further consideration in the fields of new type power systems, new energy and energy storage, and discussed with relevant teachers. The convening of this meeting has laid a good foundation for the two sides to plan deeper cooperation in the innovation of the energy and power field in the future.

VIII. Continuous Expansion of International Influence

Jim McDonald, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering of the United Kingdom, Appointed as Distinguished Visiting Professor of Tsinghua University

On the afternoon of October 9, Jim McDonald, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering and Principal of the University of Strathclyde in the United Kingdom, visited Tsinghua University. During the visit, he was appointed as an Honorary Professor at Tsinghua University and as a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Energy Internet Innovation Research Institute of Tsinghua University. Additionally, he was invited to deliver keynote lectures at the Tsinghua Global Vision Lecture and the Jingde Forum, addressing Tsinghua faculty and students.

IX. Integrated Development by All Parties

“One Department, Two Institutes, One Laboratory, and One Alliance” Joint Meeting Successfully Convened

On July 6, a joint meeting was held among the Department of Electrical Engineering and Applied Electronics (EEA), Energy Internet Innovation Institute (referred to as the Beijing Institute), Sichuan Energy Internet Institute (referred to as the Sichuan Institute), the State Key Laboratory for New-type Power System Operation and Control (referred to as the State Key Lab), and the National Energy Internet Industry and Technology Innovation Alliance (referred to as the Alliance). The meeting, titled “One Department, Two Institutes, One Laboratory, and One Alliance Joint Meeting,” took place in Ulanqab City, Inner Mongolia, utilizing the ongoing supervisory meeting for major projects at the Ulanqab Three-gorge Source Grid Load Storage Industrial Park and research investigations at the Huitengxile Wind Power Industrial Park. Kang Chongqing, Dean of EEA, and also Presidents of the Beijing Institute and the Sichuan Institute, along with members of EEA’s administrative and Party leadership, including Yu Xinjie, the Party Secretary, attended the meeting. Additionally, Min Yong, the Director of the State Key Laboratory for New-type Power System Operation and Control, and Cheng Lin, the Deputy Director, were in attendance. From the Beijing Institute, Gao Wensheng, the Executive Vice President, and Gao Feng, the Vice President, participated. Representing the Sichuan Institute were Lu Zongxiang, the Executive Vice President, as well as Vice Presidents Liu Wanhua and Liu Yi, among nearly 30 participants.

X. Exemplary Strength of Faculty, Students, and Alumni

Memorial Service for Academician Lu Qiang Was Held at Tsinghua University

On the afternoon of April 27, the memorial service for Academician Lu Qiang was held in the lecture hall of Li Zhaoji Science and Technology Building, Tsinghua University. Teachers and students in attendance deeply mourned Academician Lu Qiang, a “great teacher” who has long made selfless and indelible outstanding contributions to the development of Tsinghua University, the discipline of electrical science and engineering in China, and the development of the power industry, and recalled the noble character and style of learning from Mr. Lu. Wang Guangqian, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Executive Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Democratic League, Vice President of Tsinghua University and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zeng Rong, Vice President of Tsinghua University, Jiang Peixue, Vice President of Tsinghua University and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Han Yingduo, Li Liyang, and Gu Guobiao, Academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Luo Jianbin and Chen Weijiang, Academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and representatives from some ministries, industries, associations and universities, as well as family members and some students of Academician Lu Qiang, attended the memorial service. The event was chaired by Yu Xinjie, Secretary of Party Committee of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Applied Electronics, Tsinghua University. Academician Lu Qiang is a famous electrical engineering scientist and educator, the pioneer and founder of the discipline of nonlinear control in modern power systems. He has served as a member of the Standing Committee of the Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth National Committees of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and as Vice Chairman of the Eighth and Ninth Central Committees of the China Democratic League. Academician Lu Qiang has made a series of groundbreaking achievements in the field of electrical engineering and has trained a large number of outstanding talents. He has served as the first chief scientist of the first 973 Project in the field of energy in China, and has made outstanding contributions in linear and nonlinear optimal control of power systems, disaster prevention and mitigation of power systems, digital power systems and compressed air energy storage, etc. He has published many significantly influencing academic works in Chinese and English, and has trained more than 100 electrical engineering professionals. Academician Lu Qiang has devoted a lot of effort and dedicated his life to the development of electrical engineering education and the scientific and technological cause of the power system in China.