Transfer FEN R&D activities: Prof. De Doncker gave Plenary Talk at IEEE ECCE in Asia

May 14, 2025, Prof. Rik De Doncker, being invited to give a Plenary Talkat the IEEE ECCE Asia 2025, presented the R&D activities of Research Campus Flexible Electrical Networks (FEN). His talks entitled, "Flexible DCDistribution Grids - Key Enabler for a CO2 Neutral Energy Supply Based on Renewable Power Sources,“ was well received and triggered a lively discussion.He was also invited to participate in a panel discussion, moderated by Prof. Deepak Divan, Georgia Tech University, on the topic how to electrify India and move towards a sustainable CO2 neutral energy supply. After 29 years, Prof. DeDoncker had an opportunity to visit India again. The transition from old dieseltrucks and busses, and two-stroke motor bikes and tuk-tuks towards electric vehicles, busses and CNG based transportation is striking, leading to muchbetter air quality in big cities. The Indian utility companies have clear vision and mandate of the government to accelerate electrification of allsectors. From that perspective, DC distribution systems, low-cost switche dreluctance motor drives for vehicles and renewable power sources were topicsthat were addressed in panel discussions and presentations by many experts. Interesting was the debate on unbundling of the utility sector, in particular theunbundling electrical energy generation, transmission and distribution, whichdidn't take place as such in India, as it was seen as hindering theoptimization of the entire electrical grid. Clearly, India is on the moveand learning from other countries to move fast.