More than 250 power engineers, researchers and energy industry leaders from up to 25 countries have gathered in Hobart to examine how electricity grids can remain reliable and secure as renewable energy, storage and new technologies transform the way power is generated and used.
The University of Tasmania is hosting the 36th IEEE PES Australasian Universities Power Engineering Conference from 2 to 6 November, with delegates representing around 50 organisations.
Conference Chair and University of Tasmania Professor of Power Engineering and Computational Intelligence Michael Negnevitsky said the transition under way across the energy sector was creating complex engineering challenges.
“As more renewable energy, storage and new technologies are integrated into the grid, we need to ensure electricity systems remain reliable, secure and affordable,” Professor Negnevitsky said.
“AUPEC brings together researchers and industry leaders to share the latest work and consider how these challenges can be addressed in practice.”
Under the theme Smart, Sustainable and Secure: Shaping the Next Generation Grid, the conference covers renewable energy integration, energy storage, smart grids, power-system security, electrified transport and the growing role of artificial intelligence in energy systems.
International keynote speakers include Professor Huai Wang from Aalborg University in Denmark, who is exploring the relationship between artificial intelligence and power electronics, and Professor Hossein Farahmand from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, who is examining the use of artificial intelligence in long-term hydropower scheduling.
The program also includes six industry-led tutorials, a forum featuring six Australian energy executives, panel discussions on women in engineering and connections between PhD research and industry, and visits to Gordon Power Station and Cattle Hill Wind Farm.
AUPEC 2026 continues at the University’s Sandy Bay campus until Friday, 6 November.