Abstract: Global initiatives to combat climate change are reshaping the power grid landscape. The surge in demand for advanced clean energy technologies is catalyzing a robust innovation ecosystem around the world, driven by the transformation from centralized power plants to grids incorporating geographically distributed Renewable Energy Sources (RESs). Imminent RES integration requires the development of new transmission and distribution networks to maintain power grid reliability. While conventional power systems predominantly rely on Alternating Current (AC) technology, increasing investments in RESs and refurbishment of existing infrastructure are driving a shift toward AC-DC (Direct Current) power grids. This offers numerous advantages, including efficient long-distance power transfer, improved integration of large-scale RESs, enhanced support for transportation electrification through accessible high-power DC nodes, and promotion of home storage solutions (e.g., Electric Vehicle (EV) batteries). This shift from traditional AC networks to AC-DC grids, observed in regions worldwide, has led to significant challenges, particularly in maintaining grid stability. In this presentation, we will explore the underlying causes of instability and propose several solutions to address these issues.

Short-Bio: Dr. Sahar Azad earned her PhD in Electrical Engineering, specializing in power systems, from the University of Toronto, Canada, in 2014. In 2015, she joined KU Leuven in Belgium as a postdoctoral fellow focusing on DC grid protection, contributing to the multi-terminal DC grid for offshore wind (MEDOW) project—a Marie Curie initial training network funded by the European Commission. From October 2015 to December 2017, she served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Alberta, Canada. Since 2018, she has been a faculty member in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo, Canada. Dr. Azad’s research specializes in the protection and control of AC-DC power systems. She is currently an Associate Editor for the IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery and has been actively involved in various CIGRE and IEEE working groups. She is also the Secretary of the IEEE HVDC Subcommittee and will assume the role of Vice Chair starting January 2025. Her contributions have been recognized with the Marsland Faculty Fellowship award from the University of waterloo in 2023.