Time：Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 10:00 AM
Place： X10832
Introduction：
The depletion of fossil fuel reserves, escalating air pollution, and inefficiencies in current energy generation, transmission, distribution, and utilization practices are pressing global concerns. In response, the smart grid paradigm—integrating distributed generation and electrified transportation—has emerged as a viable pathway toward sustainable living. Furthermore, energy providers are increasingly adopting energy storage solutions, such as Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) systems, to enhance power quality and meet demand efficiently and economically. Power electronics are integral to these advancements, offering simplicity, cost-effectiveness, convenience, high efficiency, and adaptability. This seminar will begin with an overview of the University of Auckland, New Zealand, followed by an introduction to the speaker's current research in power electronics. It will present innovative methodologies developed to tackle technical challenges in distribution networks, wireless power transfer (WPT) systems, permanent magnet motor drives, reliability analysis, and electric vehicle (EV) car park planning. The session will conclude by highlighting collaborative research opportunities, discussing existing challenges, and outlining future directions in the field.
Delivered by Udaya K. Madawala
Udaya K. Madawala graduated with a B.Sc. (Electrical Engineering) (Hons) degree from The University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, and received his PhD (Power Electronics) from The University of Auckland, New Zealand as a Commonwealth Doctoral Scholar. At the completion of his PhD, he was employed by Fisher & Paykel Ltd, New Zealand, as a Research and Development Engineer to develop new technologies for motor drives. At present as a Full Professor in the Department of Electrical Computer & Software Engineering at University of Auckland, New Zealand, he leads a group of researchers focusing on a number of power electronics projects that are related to energy and wireless EV charging systems for V2X applications.
Udaya is a Fellow of the IEEE and a Distinguished Lecturer of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society (IES), with extensive industry and research experience in power electronics and energy. He has served both the IEEE Power Electronics and Industrial Electronics Societies in numerous roles, relating to editorial, advisory, conference, technical committees and chapter activities. He was the General Chair of the 2nd IEEE Southern Power Electronics Conference (SPEC)- 2016, held in New Zealand, and also the Chair of SPEC Steering Committee. In 2024, he received the IEEE PELS Milan M. Jovanović Award for Power Electronics Emerging Technology for his outstanding contributions to bi-directional wireless power transfer technology, as well as the University of Auckland Research Excellence Medal. Udaya has authored over 300 journal and conference publications, holds a portfolio of patents related to wireless power transfer (WPT) and power converters, and serves as a consultant to the industry.
