One of the primary objectives of the Inter-oPEn project is to educate and train highly qualified researchers to facilitate the interoperability of Power Electronics (PE) assets within modern power networks, thereby ensuring their safe and reliable operation.
In line with this goal, I recently had the valuable opportunity to attend the course on HVDC Technology and HVDC Grids (EES-UETP), held at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden, from November 17 to 19. A consortium of prestigious institutions organized the course: KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden), CITCEA-UPC (Technical University of Catalonia, Spain), Technical University of Denmark (Denmark), and KU Leuven (Belgium).
Over the three days, the attendees gained valuable insights from both academic and industrial speakers. The program was comprehensive, featuring not only relevant lectures on HVDC technologies but also hands-on training modules. These practical sessions covered critical areas such as offshore wind electrical design and grid code compliance, HVDC grid planning, VSC and MMC modeling, and HVDC protection.
Furthermore, the course provided an excellent occasion for networking and establishing valuable connections with colleagues from around the world who are actively engaged in this field. Their diverse perspectives and experiences were highly refreshing and served as an eye-opener, leading to a better understanding of the complexity of HVDC grids. It also highlighted the importance of areas beyond HVDC technology itself, such as grid planning, cable systems, and the current state of fault and stability analysis tools.
In addition to the technical program, immersing myself in Swedish culture greatly enhanced my overall experience. Even in the cold winter, the city was warm and friendly. On the first day, we were welcomed with a group dinner at the KTH Reaktorhallen. This was a truly unique event, not only for the excellent cuisine but also for the historical significance of the reactor, which began operating in 1954 to allow KTH engineers to study reactor physics and produce medical isotopes.
Moreover, we frequently experienced fika, a cherished Swedish cultural practice. Fika is a dedicated break from work where people relax, socialize, and recharge with coffee and light snacks. Throughout the three days of the course, these moments of fika allowed us to refresh our energy, not just with the sweets, but also through calm conversation and connection with our colleagues.
Finally, aside from the valuable technical knowledge and professional relationships gained, I take away from Sweden the philosophy of Lagom. This concept, meaning “not too much, not too little, but just the right amount”, embodies balance, moderation, and sufficiency in all aspects of life. Connecting this philosophy to my research and professional life, I am inspired to put it into practice daily. Especially as an engineer working with renewable energies, I am committed to following the principles of sustainability and focusing my efforts on developing technologies that ensure the well-being of humanity with balance and moderation, recognizing that electrical energy is undoubtedly key to all societal development.
Written by Alejandra Obando