Emerging Challenges in Modeling, Control, and Protection of Power Electronics-Dominated Power Systems

With the increasing integration of high proportions of power electronic devices, modern power systems are undergoing a fundamental transformation in their dynamic behavior, operational characteristics, and stability mechanisms. This shift introduces profound challenges in system modeling, control, and protection. On one hand, the electromagnetic transient responses of power electronic converters occur on similar time scales as grid faults, complicating accurate fault characterization and increasing the difficulty of reliable fault identification. On the other hand, the coexistence of AC and DC subgrids leads to intertwined dynamic interactions, while the widespread deployment of power electronics enhances operational flexibility but also creates strong dependencies between grid fault response and converter control strategies. This Special Session aims to address these emerging challenges and foster the exchange of innovative research on the design, modeling, analysis, control, and protection of future power systems with high penetration of power electronics-interfaced generation and loads. We invite contributions that present novel methodologies, case studies, and technological advances to enhance the reliability, resilience, and performance of such systems. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

1. Modeling and simulation of power electronics-dominated power systems

2. Fault analysis and characterization in hybrid AC/DC grids

3. Advanced fault detection, diagnosis, and location techniques

4. Protection schemes for grids with high inverter-based resources

5. Transient and dynamic stability analysis with power electronics

6. Control strategies for voltage and current in converter-rich systems

7. Fault current limiting and suppression technologies

8. Stability-enhanced grid-forming and grid-following control

9.  Application of artificial intelligence in system protection and control

10. Standardization, testing, and validation of models and protective devices

11. Real-world implementations, field tests, and industrial case studies

Chair:  

Jianquan Liao, Sichuan University, China

Jianquan Liao received the B.S. degree in electrical engineering from the China University of Petroleum, Qingdao, China, in 2017, and the Ph.D. degree from Chongqing University, Chongqing, China, in 2021. From September 2019 to September 2020, he was a Guest Researcher of the Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands. He has been an Associate Research Fellow with the School of Electrical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China, since 2021. His current research interests include power system protection and control, power quality of the DC distribution network, and power system stability and control.

Co-chairs ：

Dachuan Yu, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, China

Dachuan Yu was born in Henan, China. He received the B.S. degree in electrical engineering from the Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, China, in 2016 and received the M.S degree in electrical engineering from Shandong University in 2019. In 2024 he received the Ph.D. degree at Chongqing University, Chongqing, China. He has been an Associate Professor with the College of Automation and Electronic Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology since 2024. His current research interests include DC fault analysis and protection of HVDC grids, microgrids, and power electronics.

Shuo Zhang, Shandong University of Technology, China

Shuo Zhang received the B.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from Shandong University, Jinan, China, in 2017 and 2022, respectively. From 2022 to 2025, he was a Postdoctoral Researcher with School of Control Science and Engineering, Shandong University. He is currently an Associate Professor with School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Shandong University of Technology. His research interests include HVdc control and protection and power electronics. He has co-authored one scholar book and published more than 20 journal papers as the first author.

Nengqiao Wei, Southwest University, China

Nengqiao Wei received the B.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from  Chongqing University, Chongqing, China, in 2018 and 2022 respectively. He is currently a Lecturer with College of Engineering and Technology, Southwest University. His research interests include fault current calculation, fault ride-through and protection of HVDC system.