1. Party Leadership Guiding Core Work

The Party Committee of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Applied Electronics (EEA) Selected as a “National Model Party Branch”

On March 27, 2024, Tsinghua University announced its selection in the fourth batch of National Model Party Branches, with the Party Committee of EEA being designated as a “National Model Party Branch” cultivation unit.

The committee aims to leverage this designation to strengthen its political leadership within the department by implementing the “Five Ones” initiative and ensuring the deepened implementation of the “Five In-Place” principles. This will contribute to the development of the electrical engineering discipline, the university’s goal of becoming a world-class institution, and the national strategy for educational excellence.

2. Outstanding Achievements in Talent Development

Doctoral and Undergraduate Students from the Department Secured National Natural Science Foundation (NSF) Youth Research Grants

In 2023, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) introduced the Youth Research Program to identify and nurture young talents early, fostering scientific literacy and encouraging innovative research to build a high-quality foundational research talent pool.

In 2024, undergraduate students Deng Kaihang (supervised by Professor Guo Qinglai) and Li Yunhe (supervised by Professor Wu Wenchuan) from the department received funding under this category for the first time. Additionally, doctoral students Huang Zhiwen (supervised by Professor He Jinliang), Li Hang (supervised by Associate Professor Yi Chenyi), and Shi Qingyuan (supervised by Professor Zeng Rong) also secured funding.

3. Remarkable Scientific Research Achievements

EEA Project Granted the 2023 National Technology Invention Award

Tsinghua University, as the lead institution, won nine awards in the 2023 National Science and Technology Awards. Among them, the project "High-Voltage, High-Capacity DC Interruption Semiconductor Devices, Key Technologies, and Series of DC Circuit Breakers", led by EEA, received the Second Prize in the National Technology Invention Award.

Main contributors: Zeng Rong (Tsinghua University), Cha Kunpeng (State Grid Smart Grid Research Institute Co., Ltd.), Yu Zhanqing (Tsinghua University), Gao Chong (State Grid Smart Grid Research Institute Co., Ltd.), Fang Taixun (Nanjing NARI Relay Protection Electric Co., Ltd.), Chen Fanglin (Zhuzhou CRRC Times Semiconductor Co., Ltd.).

4. Increasing Impact of Research Publications

EEA Team Published a Review on Polymer Insulation Materials in Nature Reviews Electrical Engineering

A research team led by Professors Zhang Guixin and Dang Zhimin from the department published a review article titled "Polymeric Insulating Materials Characteristics for High-Voltage Applications" in Nature Reviews Electrical Engineering. The article summarizes failure mechanisms and performance enhancement strategies for polymer insulation materials in high-voltage environments and outlines the future direction for high-performance polymer insulation materials. This is the first high-voltage insulation-related paper published in the journal. The first author is Wang Tianyu (Ph.D. graduate from EEA, Tsinghua University), the corresponding authors are Professors Zhang Guixin and Dang Zhimin (EEA, Tsinghua University) and the co-corresponding authors are Associate Professors Mao Jie (Ningxia University) and Zhang Boya (Xi'an Jiaotong University).

5. Successful Hosting of Academic Conferences

First Academic Committee Meeting and 2023 Annual Conference of the State key Laboratory for New Power System Operation and Control

On January 19, 2024, the First Academic Committee Meeting and 2023 Annual Conference of the State key Laboratory for New Power System Operation and Control was held in Room 102, Zone 3 of the West Main Building.

The committee members commended the laboratory’s achievements in restructuring, optimizing, and innovating research, academic studies, team building, and branch operations. They provided valuable recommendations on aspects such as top-level design, research focus, goal refinement, major breakthroughs, talent training, platform development, and international influence.

6. Prestigious Awards and Honors

Professor Kang Chongqing Awarded the IEEE PES Peter W. Sauer Outstanding Power Engineering Educator Award

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Power & Energy Society (IEEE PES) announced its 2024 Society-Level Awards, naming Professor Kang Chongqing from EEA as the recipient of the IEEE PES Peter W. Sauer Outstanding Power Engineering Educator Award (Graduate). The award recognizes his "contributions to education and mentoring in low-carbon power systems engineering."

Professor Kang is the first Chinese recipient of this award in its 35-year history since its establishment in 1989. This accolade highlights both the international recognition of Tsinghua University’s educational excellence and Professor Kang’s contributions to talent development in power engineering.

Previously, in 2021, Professor Kang received the IEEE PES Roy Billinton Power System Reliability Award.

7. Strengthening Industry-Academia Collaboration

State Grid Corporation of China Visits Tsinghua University and Department of Electrical Engineering

On December 27, 2024, Zhang Zhigang, Chairman of State Grid Corporation of China and Party Secretary, and Pang Xiaogang, General Manager and Party Deputy Secretary, visited Tsinghua University. They held talks with Qiu Yong, Party Secretary of Tsinghua University, and Li Luming, Party Deputy Secretary and President of Tsinghua University. The two sides aimed to comprehensively deepen exchanges and cooperation, promote scientific and technological innovation, enhance talent cultivation, and drive the integration of industry, academia, research, and application. They also discussed accelerating the development of a new-type power system, advancing basic theoretical research and key technology breakthroughs, and making a positive contribution to the high-quality development of energy and electricity. This will better support and serve China’s modernization. Chen Guoping, Vice General Manager and Party Member of State Grid Corporation, and Zeng Rong, Party Member and Vice President of Tsinghua University, signed a framework agreement to deepen cooperation on behalf of both parties.

Before the talks, Zhang Zhigang and Pang Xiaogang visited the State Key Laboratory of Operation and Control for New Power Systems. They were received by Zeng Rong, Party Member and Vice President of Tsinghua University, Kang Chongqing, Dean of EEA, Zheng Zedong, Party Secretary of the Department, Min Yong, Director of the State Key Laboratory, and Han Yingduo, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Professor in EEA. During the visit, Zhang Zhigang raised questions regarding the key technological issues in the construction and operation of the new-type power system and engaged in in-depth discussions with the professors from EEA.

8. Expanding International Influence

President Li Luming Visited Tsinghua University-Imperial College London Smart Power & Energy Systems Joint Research Center

On December 12, 2024, Li Luming, Party Deputy Secretary and President of Tsinghua University, and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, visited Imperial College London. They visited the Tsinghua University-Imperial College London Joint Research Center for Smart Power and Energy Systems (hereinafter referred to as the Joint Research Center) for an inspection and held discussions with members of both the Chinese and British sides of the center. The delegation included Kang Chongqing, Dean of EEA, Guan Dabo, Professor of the Department of Earth Sciences, Zhao Qianchuan, Professor of the Department of Automation, Jiang Yongbin, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation and Exchange Office, Sun Kai, Assistant Director of EEA, and Zhang Ning, Associate Professor of EEA. After listening to the relevant reports, Li Luming emphasized that Tsinghua University would continue to support the construction and development of the Joint Research Center. He expressed the hope that both sides would further deepen their cooperation, produce more high-level innovative achievements, strengthen the transformation and application of scientific and technological outcomes, and make greater contributions to the development of the two universities and the high-quality development of energy and power in both countries. Furthermore, the center aims to cultivate more young talents at the forefront of the power and energy field.

From January 29 to 30, 2024, Kang Chongqing, Dean of EEA, and his delegation visited Imperial College London and jointly held the 2024 annual meeting of the Tsinghua University-Imperial College London Joint Research Center for Smart Power and Energy Systems. The delegation included Sun Kai, Assistant Dean of EEA, Associate Professor Zhong Haiwang, Assistant Researcher Guo Hongye, and Associate Researcher Du Ershun from the Low-Carbon Energy Laboratory. The successful meeting played an important role in advancing the development of the Joint Research Center. Tsinghua University and Imperial College London have strong complementary strengths in smart power and energy systems research. The Joint Research Center will continue to leverage the strengths of both institutions to jointly promote high-level research in the power and energy fields.

9. Comprehensive Development Initiatives

Tsinghua Leadership Visited Sichuan Energy Internet Research Institute

On the morning of November 24, 2024, Li Luming, Party Deputy Secretary and President of Tsinghua University, and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, visited the Tsinghua Sichuan Energy Internet Research Institute (hereinafter referred to as the Institute) for an inspection. They held discussions with the leadership team and department heads of the Institute. Chen Lizhang, Deputy Secretary of the Party Working Committee and Director of the Management Committee of Tianfu New Area in Sichuan, accompanied the delegation. Kang Chongqing emphasized that the Institute will continue to adhere to the philosophy of "originating from Tsinghua, rooting in Sichuan, serving the whole country, and going international." It will focus on creating a business system that integrates scientific and technological innovation, industrial development, and experimental testing, and strive to build the Institute into an important window for Tsinghua University to serve the western region of China. On the one hand, the Institute will serve national major projects and strategic needs through an organized R&D model; on the other hand, it will continue to accelerate its internationalization and support the "Belt and Road" development strategy.

On December 28, 2024, Guo Yong, Party Deputy Secretary of Tsinghua University, and his delegation visited the Tsinghua Sichuan Energy Internet Research Institute for an inspection and held discussions with the management team of the Institute. At the meeting, Lu Zongxiang, Executive Vice President of the Institute, used key phrases such as "originating from Tsinghua and extending from the departments," "rooted in Sichuan and thriving," and "serving the whole country and going international" to give a detailed report on the achievements of the Institute since its establishment in terms of talent recruitment, technological innovation, and results transformation, as well as its future development plans.

10. Role Models among Faculty, Students, and Alumni

The outstanding teachers from three generations—old, middle-aged, and young—of EEA have passed on the torch to one another.

The Beijing Higher Education Teaching Master Award aims to recognize outstanding teachers with high moral standards, long-term dedication to frontline teaching, excellent teaching effectiveness, high student evaluations, and peer recognition. The list of winners for the 20th Beijing Higher Education Teaching Master Award and the 8th Beijing Higher Education Young Teaching Master Award has been announced, with seven Tsinghua University teachers receiving awards. Among them, Professor Liang Xidong from EEA was honored with the 20th Beijing Higher Education Teaching Master Award. In June 2024, Professor Yu Xinjie from EEA participated in an external interview organized by the Ministry of Education, as requested by the university's publicity department. During the interview, he emphasized the importance of continuously aligning with advances in educational technology and changes in students' cognitive patterns, actively adapting, changing, and seeking transformation, with practical actions in educational digitalization contributing to the building of a strong education nation. In December 2024, Tsinghua University’s official WeChat account published a series of reports called "Returning Tsinghua People," featuring Zhang Pinjia. Zhang Pinjia pointed out that "Tsinghua people have an unshirkable responsibility," which he understands as the responsibility of a young scientist, and this is also his expectation for himself as a Tsinghua person.