ABSTRACT. Rapid developments in hydrogen fuel cell (FC) hybrid energy source and DC microgrid systems have extended the applications for stabilizing DC bus voltages. The cascade architecture of a power converter in a DC microgrid may cause large oscillations and imbalance given that converters considered as loads have constant power load characteristics. In this work, output DC bus voltage stabilization and current sharing of a multiphase parallel-interleaved-FC boost converter with supercapacitive auxiliary source is presented. The proposed robust controller with added integrator action is based on the Hamiltonian–Lyapunov function. The efficacy and robustness of the designed controller were successfully authenticated by experimental results obtained using a 2.5 kW prototype FC converter and a supercapacitor bank of 160 V, 6 F (via two-phase parallel-interleaved boost converters and the dSPACE MicroLabBox platform. The main source of the FC is based on a fuel reformer engine that converts fuel methanol and water into H2 gas in a polymer-electrolyte-membrane-FC stack (50 V, 2.5 kW). The simulation using the MATLAB/Simulink program and the experimental results validate that our proposed solution is an excellent control algorithm for highly dynamic power-load cycles.

ABSTRACT. This talk addresses electronics and the rise of photonics and asks what the future holds in store for these technologies. Through a parallel between this two sciences and an introduction to data transmission, the presentation highlights the latest research on all types of solar cells and photonic devices, and a new approach combining photonics and electronics towards plasmonics and possible future solar energy devices. The first part present the fundamentals of solar cells functioning principles and the new trends in solar cells research giving a non-exhaustive list of examples and strategies developed recently in this research area, in order to increase the energy conversion efficiency. The second part present the advancements in photonics and photonic devices, including the new materials, the new carriers information vectors (plasmons and surface plasmons polaritons), optical and plasmonics waveguides, lasers, spasers, electro-optical modulators, optical transistors integrated photonics circuits etc. Beyond simply explaining the existing systems or providing a synthesis of the current state of knowledge, new perspectives for future research are given. Lastly, drawing on the interconnections between electronics and photonics, it suggests a possible means of using solar energy directly with the aid of future photonic/plasmonic devices [1,2].

ABSTRACT. Accelerated adoption of modern automation technology in Electrical Power and Energy Systems (EPES) represents a key factor supporting the energy transition and ensuring a safe, reliable and clean energy supply. This allows for timely data collection, online monitoring and low-latency and robust control loops that enable flexible operation of the grid at the generation, transmission, distribution and consumer levels. Under the new Industrial Internet of Things and Cyber-Physical (Energy) Systems paradigms, new edge devices, such as smart meters, PLCs and RTUs, are entrusted with complex computing, communication and control tasks, in heterogeneous environments. Against a long list of benefits, this type of networked interoperability of previous isolated subsystems has however opened them up to multiple threats and vulnerabilities in a dynamic cybersecurity landscape.

The talk focuses on key technical challenges which are identified with regard to safeguarding EPES automation from a cybersecurity perspective. These relate to confidentiality, integrity and authenticity attacks, availability of the EPES entities and subsystems, up to coordinated cyber attacks, denoted as Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs). Privacy concerns are also of interest when handling large scale consumer data whereas new privacy-preserving algorithms can contribute to their protection while allowing efficient information extraction as is the case with state-of-the-art federated learning frameworks.

Further examples are provided with regard to the following topics: • Upgrading legacy industrial communication protocols e.g. ModBus, for increased robustness to cyber attacks; • Designing reliable anomaly detection and intrusion detection schemes, implemented at the ICS/SCADA layers; • Mitigating false data injection targeting advanced algorithms and DS/ML/DL pipelines.

In complementary fashion, an overview of the applicable certification, standardization and regulatory frameworks will also be carried out. This includes by is not limited to the Network and Information (NIS) directive and the EU Cybersecurity act, relevant recommendations from the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) and national regulations, covering hardware, software and human factors alike. In particular, personnel (re-)training is seen as a stepping stone in assuring the effectiveness of enterprise cybersecurity policies and measures in EPES.

Early results in this area from the „rEsilient and seLf-healed EleCTRical pOwer Nanogrid” (ELECTRON) Horizon 2020 joint research and innovation project will also be discussed.