To help EEA graduate students engage with cutting-edge science and technology, broaden their international perspective, and enhance global competence, the Department of Electrical Engineering and Applied Electronics (EEA) of Tsinghua University actively organized a series of overseas practice activities during the summer of 2025. Five practice teams were sent to seven countries—United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Germany, and Switzerland—for practical exchanges. During the practice period, the teams visited 21 cities, conducted in-depth exchanges with 20 universities and research institutions, and visited 14 enterprises, including Chinese state-owned enterprises with overseas factories, private enterprises, and local companies. Some teams also visited museums, Red Cross offices, and other cultural and public welfare institutions to better understand local culture and broaden their international horizons. A total of 49 EEA graduate students participated, accompanied throughout by three on-the-job postdoctoral researchers and assistant researchers who provided professional support for the smooth implementation of the activities.

1. University Cooperation for Academic Advancement — EEA UK Practice Team Visits the University of Manchester and Successfully Organizes the “Tsinghua-Manchester” Electrical Engineering Academic Forum

From August 12 to 13, 11 EEA faculty and students visited the University of Manchester at the invitation of Prof. Wang Zhongdong from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and successfully organized the “Tsinghua-Manchester” Electrical Engineering Academic Forum on August 12. The forum was hosted by Yang Haonan, a PhD student from Manchester and a 2015 EEA alumnus, with participation from Prof. Wang Zhongdong, Prof. Peter Clossley, Prof. Liu Qiang, and over 30 postdoctoral, doctoral, and master’s students from Tsinghua and Manchester.

At the Forum

During the morning opening ceremony on August 12, Prof. Wang Zhongdong delivered a welcome speech, introducing the history and research directions of Manchester’s Electrical Engineering Department and the planned Tsinghua-Manchester joint PhD program, warmly welcoming the visiting Tsinghua delegation. Doctoral student Bai Xinpeng (admitted in 2022) introduced the EEA and the main research directions of the visiting team. During the formal forum, doctoral students Yan Yunqi and Bai Xinpeng (admitted in 2022) and Huang Kaidi and Wang Yunfei (admitted in 2023) presented academic reports on generative AI, plasma technology, microgrid operation, and high-capacity converters, fostering extensive academic exchange with warm responses from both Tsinghua and Manchester participants.

Tsinghua Faculty and Students Sharing Academic Research

In the afternoon, Prof. Peter Crossley delivered a keynote report on the current status and development prospects of the UK’s power and energy sector, discussing the high volatility in electricity demand and the green energy transition using real UK electricity data. Subsequently, over ten Manchester postdoctoral and doctoral students presented on topics including transformer eco-friendly insulation oil, cable insulation fault detection, motor fault simulation, wave energy generation, low-carbon power systems, and high-frequency MOSFETs. EEA faculty and students raised questions and shared insights for each topic. In the closing session, Prof. Liu Qiang summarized the forum, highly praising each student’s research presentation, their curiosity, and dedication, and offered sincere wishes for their academic development.

Manchester Faculty and Students Sharing Academic Research

On August 13, the EEA delegation visited Manchester’s zero-carbon lab, wave energy lab, motor lab, power electronics lab, and high-voltage test hall, engaging with faculty and students on equipment, experiment management, and environmental setup.

EEA Faculty and Students Visiting Manchester Laboratories

2. Australian University Exchange on Energy — “Australia Carbon Neutral Exploration” Practice Team Visits the University of Queensland School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

On July 25, the EEA “Australia Carbon Neutral Exploration” practice team visited the University of Queensland’s School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and conducted academic exchanges with Prof. Yan Ruifeng and Prof. Bai Feifei’s teams.

“Australia Carbon Neutral Exploration” Practice Team Visiting the University of Queensland

The team first met with faculty and students in a conference room. Prof. Richard Yan warmly welcomed the visiting students and introduced UQ’s main research areas in power and energy. Then, three students presented their research: Wang Ziyuan on the electromagnetic effects of lightning on photovoltaic systems; Feng Songjie on integrated day-ahead and real-time optimal scheduling for energy systems; and Guan Haoyu on high-frequency (1kHz–100kHz) gas switch studies of repetitive breakdown voltage and channels. Prof. Bai Feifei subsequently introduced her group’s research progress in photovoltaic and other renewable energy optimization.

Student Presentations and Faculty Feedback

The team then visited the renewable energy lab, where faculty introduced the hardware-in-the-loop simulation system and demonstrated teaching and research platforms for integrating renewable energy into power systems, engaging students in Q&A.

Team Members Visiting the Renewable Energy Laboratory

3. Central Enterprises Going Overseas for Transformation — “Saudi Arabia Clean Energy” Practice Team Visits PowerChina Oasis Engineering Design & Consulting Co., Ltd.

On July 31, the “Saudi Arabia Clean Energy” practice team visited PowerChina Oasis Engineering Design & Consulting Co., Ltd. in Riyadh and held in-depth discussions with company officials.

Team Members Visiting PowerChina Oasis

During the meeting, company officials analyzed the current Saudi electricity market, noting the country is at a critical stage of energy transition under its “Vision 2030,” with an annual electricity demand growth of 7%, making it one of the fastest-growing power markets globally. PowerChina has recognized this potential, leveraging localized technology and full-chain services to complete 49 projects over 17 years, with contracts exceeding USD 25 billion, covering HV transmission, smart grids, and renewable integration. They also highlighted efforts to localize employees, equity and governance structures, technical standards, and integration with local supply chains, enhancing vitality and competitiveness.

Team Members Discussing with Company Leaders

4. Huawei Innovation on PV-Storage Integration — “Tsinghua Europe Power Research” Practice Team Visits Huawei Munich Research Center

On August 12, invited by Huawei Munich Research Center’s Su Jinnan and Ji Qisong, the “Tsinghua Europe Power Research” team visited the center in Germany and Switzerland for discussions and exhibition tours. The team learned about Huawei’s technical layout in energy, ICT, and smart solutions, discussed photovoltaic-storage integration under Germany’s energy transition, and gained first-hand understanding of the local energy market and grid characteristics.

“Tsinghua Europe Power Research” Team Visiting Huawei Munich Research Center

During the meeting, Su Jinnan explained Germany’s energy transition, highlighting the north-south distribution of renewable resources and the need for storage to maintain grid stability. He introduced Huawei’s business layout in renewables and storage, emphasizing PV-storage coupling as the core of Huawei’s storage business, using digital energy and inverter technology for efficient and flexible renewable energy management.

Su Jinnan Speaking at the Exchange Meeting

The team then visited the exhibition hall, where Su Jinnan introduced Huawei’s PV-storage control and storage devices in Germany, noting strict quality and safety standards. The storage system uses high-protection-level batteries with active balancing and voltage stabilization to ensure safety, lifespan, and power stability. Ji Qisong introduced home terminal products, such as the Intelligent Energy Management Box (I Box), which monitors and schedules household electricity in real time, enhancing power supply during outages and optimizing storage charge/discharge according to usage habits.

Ji Qisong Introducing Huawei’s PV-Storage Energy Solutions

5. Japanese Enterprise Frontier R&D Visit — “Tsinghua Japan Electrical Practice” Team Visits Myway Company

On the morning of August 12, the “Tsinghua Japan Electrical Practice” team visited Myway Company in Yokohama, Japan, a leading enterprise specializing in power electronics simulation equipment, focusing on motor drive simulators, inverters, and control software R&D and testing equipment. Products are widely used in research, development, and assembly, with multiple protection functions and voltage/current sensors. Company management introduced the company’s global market positioning and brand philosophy, “It’s a passion way.”

Staff Introducing the Company

The team then toured the R&D department, offices, and warehouse, learning about management systems and industry market conditions. The exchange provided valuable technical insights and stimulated thinking on engineering applications.

Team Members Visiting Myway Company

Contributor: Tsinghua EEA 2025 Summer Overseas Practice Teams