Keynote Speakers | 大会主旨报告

Prof. Siqi Bu (Fellow of IET)

Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), Hong Kong, China

Siqi Bu (S’11-M’12-SM’17) received the Ph.D. degree from the electric power and energy research cluster, The Queen’s University of Belfast, U.K., where he continued his postdoctoral research work before entering industry. Then he was with National Grid UK as an experienced UK National Transmission System Planner and Operator. He is currently a Professor and Associate Head with Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, and Associate Director of Research Centre for Grid Modernisation. He is also a Chartered Engineer with UK Royal Engineering Council, U.K.. His research interests include power system stability, operation and economics considering renewable energy integration, smart grid application and transport electrification.
Prof. Bu is an Editor of IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, IEEE Transactions on Consumer Electronics, IEEE Power Engineering Letters, IEEE Open Access Journal of Power and Energy, CSEE Journal of Power and Energy Systems, Protection and Control of Modern Power Systems, Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy, and Advances in Applied Energy. He is the Chairman of IET Hong Kong Power and Energy Section. He is also the Standing Director of IEEE PES Power System Relay and Control Satellite Committee, Executive of IEEE PES Hong Kong Chapter and Member of IEEE PES Conference Advisory Committee. He was the Secretary of IEEE PES Long Range Planning Committee. He serves as the Chairman of IET HK Power Symposium 2024, Co-Chairman of IET International Conference on DPSP 2025 and IET International Conference on APSCOM 2025, and Technical Program & Publications Chairman of Inaugural IEEE PES International Meeting 2026. He is a Fellow of IET, the K.C. Wong Fellow and ranked World’s Top 2% Most-cited Scientists. He has received multiple Gold Awards from the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions and National Grid UK.  

Speech Title: Secure Operation and Control of Smart Urban Power Grids 

Abstract: In response to the Carbon Neutrality target, traditional urban power grids have gradually become so-called active distribution networks (ADNs) featured by large-scale integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) such as renewables and electric vehicles (EVs). These massive DERs have dramatically transformed the way in operation and control of modern urban power grids, which has posed insecurity threats and critical challenges to distribution system operator (DSO). On the other hand, the emergence of advanced IoT devices equipped with monitoring, computing and communication functions and power electronic converters have made the modern urban power grids more observable and controllable, enabling smart urban power grids. This presentation will firstly introduce the developing trend and growing challenges for smart urban power grids during the low-carbon transition. To deal with these emerging issues and operational security risks resulted from the decarbonization, the presentation will then move on to some latest developed voltage and frequency regulation techniques and energy management & market tools to effectively accommodate and utilize the increasing DERs and enable the secure operation and control of smart urban power grids.  

Prof. Haoran Ji

Tianjin University, China

冀浩然 教授， 天津大学 

Dr. Haoran Ji is a professor with School of Electrical and Information Engineering at Tianjin University, China. He has been included in the list of World’s Top 2% Scientists by Stanford University and Elsevier in 2024. He was a visiting scholar at Mälardalen University, Sweden. His major research interests include energy management of distribution networks and intelligent control with renewable energy integration. Dr. Haoran Ji is currently a senior member of IEEE and CSEE, and a member of CIGRE Chinese National Comittee SC C1 Study Committee. He also serves as associate editor of the Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy (MPCE), Protection and Control of Modern Power Systems (PCMP) and iScience.  

Speech Title: Soft Open Points in Flexible Distribution Networks 

Abstract: Soft open point (SOP) is a novel power electronic device that promotes flexible operation of distribution networks. SOP can rapidly and accurately adjust power flows among connected feeders with multiple voltage levels. Thus, it can flexibly support many scenarios such as high integration of distributed energy resources, efficient operation of distribution networks, and high reliability of power supply. First, this research analyzes the SOP-centered coordinated control to cope with strong source-load uncertainty. The flexible operation based on SOP has been verified on voltage violation alleviation/feeder load balance/source-load interaction etc. Second, the improvement of SOP on the restoration performance of distribution networks is analyzed. The coordinated principles of SOP and conventional restoration means are formulated. The SOP-organized islanding of source-network-storage-load resources is proposed to maintain uninterrupted power supply for critical loads. Finally, the future development direction of flexible operation of SOPs for new-type distribution networks is prospected.  

Prof. Shuaibing Li

Lanzhou Jiaotong University, China

李帅兵 教授， 兰州交通大学 

Professor Shuaibing Li is a distinguished scholar serving as the Vice Dean of the School of New Energy and Power Engineering at Lanzhou Jiaotong University. He is also the Deputy Director of the Gansu Provincial International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Energy Internet Technology and Equipment. Recognized for his significant contributions to the field, he has been honored with several prestigious awards, including the Gansu Provincial Longyuan Youth Talent Award, the New Era Youth Pioneer Award, and the Railway May Fourth Youth Medal。
His primary research focuses on the detection of new energy power equipment, operational control of new energy power systems, and power generation technologies. Professor Li has led over 20 major research projects, including grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the China Railway Key Fund, and the Gansu Industrial Support Program .
His work has resulted in the publication of more than 60 papers indexed by SCI and EI, and he has received multiple scientific awards, such as the First, Second, and Third Prizes of the Gansu Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award and the Zhan Tianyou Railway Science and Technology Youth Award.
In addition to his research and administrative roles, Professor Li holds several key professional positions. He is an Executive Director of the IEEE Power & Energy Society Power System Protection and Control Technical Committee, a Committee Member of the Intelligent Distributed Energy Professional Committee of the Chinese Association of Automation, and a Council Member of the Gansu Provincial Electrotechnical Society. He also chairs the High Voltage Professional Committee of the Gansu Provincial Electrical Engineering Society. Furthermore, he contributes as a Member of the CIRE B3.70 Working Group and the CIGRE CNC NGN (Next Generation Network) Committee, and serves as a Youth Editorial Board Member for journals including Journal of Electrical Engineering, Integrated Intelligent Energy, and Chinese Journal of Electrical Engineering.  

Speech Title: Multi-Physical Field Coupling Degradation Mechanism of Composite Insulation in Cable Terminals 

Abstract: Cable terminals represent critical yet vulnerable components in power transmission systems, particularly under high-voltage DC applications and constrained installation environments such as high-speed railways. Statistics indicate that up to 70% of cable system failures originate from terminals, often due to the synergistic effects of electrical, thermal, and mechanical stresses on their multi-layer composite insulation structure. This study systematically investigates the electro-thermal-mechanical coupling degradation behavior of cable terminals under static and dynamic mechanical loads. Through finite element simulation and experimental validation, we analyze the distortion of electric and thermal fields within the insulation under varying bending radii. Results show significant field heterogeneity due to geometric deformation, with enhanced electric field intensity near the skirt region and nonlinear temperature gradients accelerating local aging. A key focus is placed on the evolution of interfacial pressure between silicone rubber (SiR) and cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation under multi-stress conditions. Thermo-mechanical cycling combined with bending stress leads to accelerated stress relaxation and material chain scission, reducing interfacial pressure by up to 40% after aging. Nonlinear pressure distribution under bending is identified as a core factor driving insulation degradation. Further analysis of surface flashover characteristics under non-uniform interfacial pressure reveals intensified discharge initiation and asymmetric carbonization paths. In-situ infrared spectroscopy and discharge trajectory analysis demonstrate that pressure heterogeneity aggravates solid dielectric polarization and gas-solid discharge channel expansion, reducing flashover voltage by 15–25%. The research provides a mechanistic framework linking macro-scale performance degradation to micro-scale structural changes, supported by molecular dynamics simulations. Findings offer practical insights for optimizing cable terminal design, condition monitoring, and lifespan prediction in complex operational scenarios.  

Prof. Zhifang Yang

Chongqing University, China

杨知方 教授， 重庆大学 

Zhifang Yang is currently a Professor at Chongqing University. His research interests include power system optimizaiton and electricity markets. He has conducted multiple projects from NSFC, power companies and etc. He has published more than 60 journal papers as the first author or corresponding author. He has won multiple technical awards from Chongqing government, the Ministry of Education, and etc.  

Speech Title: Physics-Driven Combinatorial Optimization Problem Solving for Power Systems