Professor Dragan Jovcic

Professor Dragan Jovcic
Professor Dragan Jovcic
Professor Dragan Jovcic

Chair in Engineering

About
Telephone Number
+44 (0)1224 272336
Office Address

School of Engineering, University of Aberdeen
Aberdeen
AB24 3UE, UK

Tel: 01224 272336

School/Department
School of Engineering

Biography

Education:

  • PhD in Electrical Engineering from University of Auckland,1999,
  • Diploma Engineer in Control Systems from University of Belgrade, 1993.
  • Postgraduate certificate in University teaching from University of Ulster, 2003.

Employment history:

  • Director, Aberdeen HVDC research centre, September 2015 - present
  • Professor, University of Aberdeen, UK, August 2012 - present
  • Reader, University of Aberdeen, UK, August 2011 - August 2012,
  • Senior Lecturer, University of Aberdeen, UK, August 2008 - August 2011,
  • Visiting professor, McGill University, Canada, July 2008- December 2008,
  • Lecturer, University of Aberdeen, UK, September 2004 - August 2008,
  • Lecturer, University of Ulster, UK, April 2000 – August 2004,
  • Design Engineer, Beca Carter Hollings and Ferner, and Transpower NZ Ltd, New Zealand, 1998-2000

Academic administration:

  • Member of senate, since 2016,
  • EngD degree coordinator 2006-20015,
  • Course coordinator (numerous courses), since 2000.

Publications:

External Memberships

Professional:

  • Fellow of IEEE, since 2021,
  • IEEE PES Distinguished Lecturer, since 2015,
  • Fellow of IET, since 2019,
  • Chartered Engineer, since 2018,
  • CIGRE:
    • Chairman of Working Group B4.76, 2017-2021,
    • Member of Working Groups: B4.52, B4.58, B4.64, B4.80, B4.84, since 2009,
  • IEEE Associate editor:
    • IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, since 2015,
    • IEEE Access, since 2019,
    • IEEE Power Engineering Letters, since 2015,
  • CIGRE assiciate editor: CIGRE Science and Engineering, (B4 representative),
  • Guest editor in Chief:
    • IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Special issue on Frontiers of DC technology, 2016,
    • IET Power Electronics, Special issue on DC grids, 2015,
  • IEC standard SC 17A Working Group 64: DC circuit-breakers - member,
  • IEEE standard P2880, Standard for HVDC Circuit Breakers Above 3200V - member,

Expert appointments:

  • EU DG Energy expert:
    • monitoring EU Project MIGRATE,
    • monitoring EU Project COBRA Cable,
  • EU Horizon2020, Horizon Europe, ERC
    • Grant application review
  • EPSRC
    • Grant Evaluation Panel Chairman,
    • Grant application review
  • Research project assesment/review for numerous research counsils worldwide,

 PhD External Examiner:

Ecole Centrale de Lille (France), TU DELFT (Netherlands), University of Edinburgh (UK), Warwick University (UK), KTH Stockholm (Sweden), UPC Barcelona (Spain), Brunel University (UK). Cardiff University (UK), KU Leuven (Belgium), Durban University of technology (South Africa), Universite de Montreal (Canada).

Some photos from Aberdeen

CIGRE B4.52 meeting, Aberdeen, June 2011:

CIGRE B4.72 meeting, Aberdeen, April 2016:

CIGRE B4.76 meeting, Aberdeen, April 2017:

EPSRC-NSFC project meeting, Aberdeen, June 2013:

EU Project PROMOTioN, WP6 meeting, Aberdeen, June 2016:

 

 

 

Research

Research Overview

His research interests are in the areas of High Power Electronics, High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Transmission, DC transmission grids, Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS), Interconnection of renewable energy, Power system modelling and control. 

The DC transmission grid is the facilitating technology for large-scale offshore renewable energy deployment. Wind energy is predicted to be the largest source of renewable energy, as power generation industry transitions from fossil fuel and nuclear power plants. Most onshore wind energy has already been exploited while expanding onshore transmission infrastructure is very challenging. The contract price from the most recent offshore wind projects indicate that offshore energy has become competitive with other sources, even without subsidies. Offshore wind has the potential to offer solution for large-scale, long-term renewable energy supply.    

While AC power transmission was dominant in 20th century, it is postulated that DC transmission will be prevailing in 21st, both at high and low power levels. The advantages of DC transmissions are numerous, and the recent advances in high power semiconductors facilitate cost effective voltage stepping and DC fault isolation. DC transmission grids have been a research topic for many years, and it is widely accepted that nowadays they are technically feasible. China is building the first large 4-terminal DC grid in the world (commissioning in 2021).

In the EU energy policy white paper (Green Deal, December 2019), Europe aims for net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, where development of offshore wind is on of key directions for clean energy supply. The detailed studies by WindEurope indicate 380GW as the exploitable offshore wind in the North Sea by 2050. This is significant electrical energy, and a substantial increase from the existing 20GW installed offshore capacity, while UK has 80GW share which is larger than its peak installed generation capacity. The TYNDP (Ten Year Network Development Plan) by ENTSO-E (European Network of Grid Operators) foresees investment of €27bn by 2030 through 21 individual projects that would develop into a “Northern Seas Grid Infrastructure.

The electrification of NorthSea bed would help significantly towards decarbonization of the existing UK oil and gas exploitation and facilitate access to remote and marginal new sites. There are many new offshore industries emerging in the UK like: power generators offshore, power-to-x and various storage solutions (gas, hydrogen, compressed air, ..) that will all depend on reliable and flexible subsea power grid.

The DC grid technologies and operating principles will be significantly different from traditional AC systems. Most of DC grid components will be based on semiconductors (converters using transistors or thyristors),  are in various stages of research/development, require advanced skills, and perform better: AC/DC converters (largely exist) replace traditional large generating stations, DC/DC converters replace AC transformers, DC Circuit Breakers replace AC switchgear, and Electronic DC hubs replace entire AC substations. Modfied wind generators with DC output and (integrated) DC/DC converters will be needed.

Current Research

  • High Power DC networks,
  • DC/DC conversion at MW powers, 
  • DC Circuit Breakers,
  • High Voltage DC Transmission,
  • Flexible AC Transmission,
  • Wind energy,
  • Integration of Renewable Energy,
  • Power system modelling and control.

Collaborations

Some Institutions that collaborated on externally-funded research projects:

  • Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) - China,
  • Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) - China,
  • China Electric Power Research Institute(CEPRI), China,
  • Ryerson Universty, Canada,
  • McGill University, Canada,
  • Universite de Montreal, Canada,
  • CERN, Switzerland,
  • Reseau de Transport D'Electricite, France,
  • Ecole Centrale de Lille, France,
  • ALSTOM,UK,
  • Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE), UK,
  • Strathclyde University, UK,
  • Edinburgh University, UK,
  • Glasgow University, UK,
  • Heriot Watt University, UK,
  • ABB, Sweden,
  • Mitsubishi Electric, UK,
  • TU DELFT, Netherlands,
  • DNV-GL, Netherlands,
  • Supergrid Institute, France,
  • Numerous (39) partners on EU poject Promotion: https://www.promotion-offshore.net/  
  • Numerous (11) partners on EU poject MISSION: 

 

Supervision

Research supervision experience

PhD students supervised to completion: Dr Stefan Kovacevic, Dr Mohammad Ishlah Haji Abdul Rahman, Dr Mario Zaja, Dr Jianxi Zhang, Dr Lu Zhang, Dr Aleisawee Alsseid, Dr Nicholas Strachan, Dr Ronny Sternberger, Dr Lisa Lamont.

Postdoctoral researchers supervised: Dr Stefan Kovacevic, Dr Mario Zaja, Dr Aliasghar Razikazemi, Dr Mohammad Azizian, Dr Mohammad Hedayati, Dr Ali Jamshidifar, Dr Mahdi Fazeli,  Dr Huibin Zhang, Dr Weixing Lin, Dr Masood Hajian, Dr Mohsen Taherbaneh, Jonathan Robinson, Dr Mohamed Rashed, Dr Gopinath Pillai.

 

Completed

Under supervision

PhD

9

2

Mphil

2

0

Post doctoral fellows

17

2

Funding and Grants

External Research Income: Around £5.2 million.

EU Funded Research grants:

EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) Funded Research grants:

Scottish Funding council Major Research Grants:

  • SE HGSO (High Growth Spin Out), Opportunity Qualification, LC DC Circuit Breaker, November 2022 - October 2023,
  • SFC HORIZON and ERDF, Consortium of 5 Scottish Universities, "SHAPED –Scottish Hub for Advanced Power Engineering Design)" , June 2011 – June 2014
  • Scottish Enterprise, "Prototype development for High Gain DC transformer" Proof of Concept award, January 2010 – July 2011,
  • AU Knowledge Transfer Grant "High gain DC Transformer", 2007 - 2009,
  • KTP in collaboration with PACT Engineering, "Development of Drivetrain for PIGASYS", September 2007 - September 2009.

Industry Funded Major Research Grants:

  • RTE (Réseau de Transport d'Électricité, France)  “LCC and MMC dynamic interactions in subsynchronous domain" PhD project, January 2017 - July 2020.
  • RTE (Réseau de Transport d'Électricité, France)  “DC grids with full-bridge MMC and DC CBs” Post Doc fellow, September 2014 -December 2016.
  • SSE (Scottish and Southern Energy) "Isolated multiterminal DC/DC converter for high power DC grids” “Post Doctoral fellow, January 2015- August 2016.
  • SSE (Scottish and Southern Energy) "Optimisation of Moray Firth HVDC” “PhD studentships, February 2013-July 2016.
  • RTE (Réseau de Transport d'Électricité, France) “Development of RTE NorthSea DC grid” Post Doc fellow, July 2012 -December 2013

Fellowships

  • Royal Society, International exchange grant, In partnership with Univeristy De Montreal, July 2020 - August 2023,
  • Royal Academy of Engineering, Global Research Fellowship and McGill University Canada visiting Professorship "Advanced Converter Systems for Thyristor based HVDC", July 2008 - December 2008.

Consultancy projects:

  • Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE), UK, 2012-2013,
  • Supernode, Ireland, 2019-2020,
  • CERN (European Centre for Nuclear Research), Geneva, "Accelerator power supply modelling and control", 2003-2007,
  • PACT Engineering, Scotland, "Drivetrain modelling for a PIGASYS robot tool", 2007,

Aberdeen HVDC Research centre laboratory

0.9 kV DC Grid demonstrator :

5kV, 2kA, DC Circuit Breaker test bench:

30kW, 200V/900V Thyristor-based DC/DC:

30kW, 200V/900V IGBT-based DC/DC:

 

Teaching

Teaching Responsibilities

D Jovcic teaches Electrical Engineering year 3, 4,5 and postgradaute subjects:

  • Electrical Power Engineering (EE3557),
  • MEng Groudp Design (EG5565),
  • Subsea Control (EG50F6),
  • Engineering Project (BEng/MEng) (EG4013/EG4014),

Past courses:

  • Control Systems (EE3043)
  • Electrical Machines and Drives (EE40FD).
  • Renewable technologies (Electrical) (EG50E2) and
  • Power distribution and sustainability (EG55E1).

He was a coordinator for the professional doctorate degree (EngD).

Publications

Page 2 of 2 Results 101 to 168 of 168

  • Developing regional, radial DC grids and their interconnection into large DC grids

    Jovcic, D., Taherbaneh, M., Taisne, J. P., Nguefeu, S.
    Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Conference Proceedings
  • High-power high-frequency converter modelling using Dommel’s and Runge-Kutta methods in ABC and DQ frame

    Lin, W., Jovcic, D.
    Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Conference Proceedings
  • Reconfigurable multiphase multi GW LCL DC hub with high security and redundancy

    Lin, W., Jovcic, D.
    Electric Power Systems Research, vol. 110, pp. 104-112
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Converter

    Jovcic, D.
    Patents: Patents
  • Multiport High-Power LCL DC Hub for Use in DC Transmission Grids

    Jovcic, D., Lin, W.
    IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 760-768
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • 30kW, 200V/900V, thyristor LCL DC/DC converter laboratory prototype design and testing

    Hajian, M., Robinson, J., Jovcic, D., Wu, B.
    IEEE transactions on power electronics, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 1094-1102
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • High reliability Multiport Multiphase DC hub

    Lin, W., Jovcic, D.
    Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Conference Proceedings
  • Control strategy for 2-terminal high power LCL DC-DC converter

    Lin, W., Jovcic, D.
    Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Conference Proceedings
  • The CIGRE B4 DC Grid Test System

    Vrana, T. K., Yang, Y., Jovcic, D., Dennetiere, S., Jardini, J., Saad, H.
    Electra, no. 270, pp. 10-19
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • LCL DC/DC converter for DC grids

    Jovcic, D., Zhang, L.
    IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 2071-2079
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • DC fault performance and cost analysis of DC grids for connecting multiple offshore wind farms

    Taherbaneh, M., Jovcic, D., Taisne, J. P., Nguefeu, S.
    Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Conference Proceedings
  • Evaluation of Semiconductor Based Methods for Fault Isolation on High Voltage DC Grids

    Hajian Foroushani, M., Jovcic, D., Wu, B.
    IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 1171-1179
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Reactive current optmisation for high power dual active bridge DC/DC converter

    Rahman, M. I., Jovcic, D., Ahmed, D. K. H.
    Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Conference Proceedings
  • LCL VSC converter for high-power applications

    Jovcic, D., Zhang, L., Hajian, M.
    IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 137-144
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • DC transmission grids with fault tolerant LCL VSC converters and mechanical DC circuit breakers

    Jovcic, D., Hajian, M., Zhang, L.
    Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Conference Proceedings
  • Power flow control in DC transmission grids using mechanical and semiconductor based DC/DC devices

    Jovcic, D., Hajian Foroushani, M., Zhang, H., Asplund, G.
    Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Conference Proceedings
  • Comparison of L-VSC and LCL-VSC converter for HVDC transmission

    Zhang, L., Jovcic, D.
    Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Conference Proceedings
  • Comparison of DC-DC converter topologies for offshore wind-farm application

    Zhou, Y., Macpherson, D. E., Blewitt, W., Jovcic, D.
    Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Conference Proceedings
  • High power IGBT-based DC/DC converter with DC fault tolerance

    Jovcic, D., Zhang, J.
    Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Conference Proceedings
  • Feasibility of DC transmission networks

    Jovcic, D., Van Hertem, D., Linden, K., Taisne, J. P., Grieshaber, W.
    Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Conference Proceedings
  • Testing a 900V hardware model of a high voltage DC transmission substation

    Robinson, J., Jovcic, D.
    Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Conference Proceedings
  • Small signal modelling and stability analysis of multiterminal VSC-HVDC

    Alsseid, A. M., Jovcic, D., Starkey, A.
    Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Conference Proceedings
  • Interfacing offshore power parks with HVDC corridors

    Hajian Foroushani, M., Jovcic, D., Wu, B.
    Contributions to Conferences: Papers
  • Tapping on HVDC lines using DC transformers

    Jovcic, D., Ooi, B. T.
    Electric Power Systems Research, vol. 81, no. 2, pp. 561-569
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Theoretical aspects of fault isolation on DC lines using resonant DC/DC converters

    Jovcic, D., Ooi, B. T.
    IET Generation, Transmission & Distribution, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 153-160
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Analysis and design of an offshore wind farm using a MV DC grid

    Robinson, J., Jovcic, D., Joos, G.
    IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 2164 -2173
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Developing DC transmission networks using DC transformers

    Jovcic, D., Ooi, B.
    IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 2535-2543
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Stability of a variable-speed permanent magnet wind generator with weak AC grids

    Strachan, N. P. W., Jovcic, D.
    IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 2779-2788
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Fast fault current interruption on high-power DC networks

    Jovcic, D., Wu, B.
    Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Conference Proceedings
  • Step-up DC-DC converter for MW size applications

    Jovcic, D.
    IET Power Electronics, vol. 2, no. 6, pp. 675-685
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Analytical modeling of a square-wave-controlled cascaded multilevel STATCOM

    Jovcic, D., Sternberger, R.
    IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, vol. 24, no. 4, pp. 2261-2269
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Bidirectional, high-power DC transformer

    Jovcic, D.
    IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, vol. 24, no. 4, pp. 2276-2283
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Offshore wind farm with centralised power conversion and DC interconnection

    Jovcic, D., Strachan, N.
    IET Generation, Transmission & Distribution, vol. 3, no. 6, pp. 586-595
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • 3-Phase Step-up Resonant DC-DC converter for medium power applications

    robinson, J., Jovcic, D., Joos, G.
    Contributions to Conferences: Papers
  • High Power Resonant DC/DC converter for integration of Renewable Sources

    Jovcic, D., Ooi, B. T.
    Contributions to Conferences: Papers
  • Frequency-domain analytical model for a cascaded multilevel STATCOM

    Jovcic, D., Sternberger, R.
    IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, vol. 23, no. 4, pp. 2139-2147
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Theoretical framework for minimizing converter losses and harmonics in a multilevel STATCOM

    Sternberger, R., Jovcic, D.
    IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, vol. 23, no. 4, pp. 2376-2384
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Improving Power Quality Using an Integrated Wind Energy Conversion and Storage System (WECSS)

    Strachan, N. P., Jovcic, D.
    Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Conference Proceedings
  • Power Converter

    Jovcic, D.
    Patents: Patents
  • Offshore wind farm with a series multiterminal CSI HVDC

    Jovcic, D.
    Electric Power Systems Research, vol. 78, no. 4, pp. 747-755
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Robust Controller Design for a Multilevel STATCOM

    Sternberger, R., Jovcic, D.
    Contributions to Conferences: Papers
  • Robust controller design for a multilevel cascaded STATCOM

    Jovcic, D., Sternberger, R.
    Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Conference Proceedings
  • High gain DC Transformer

    Jovcic, D.
    Patents: Patents
  • Control System Design for VSC Transmission

    Jovcic, D., Lamont, L. A., Abbott, K.
    Electric Power Systems Research, vol. 77, no. 7, pp. 721-729
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Thyristor-Based HVDC With Forced Commutation

    Jovcic, D.
    IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 557-564
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Compensation of particle accelerator load using converter controlled pulse compensator

    Jovcic, D., Kahle, K.
    Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Conference Proceedings
  • Fast Feedforward SVC Controller for Improving Power Quality of Super Proton Synchrotron

    Jovcic, D., Kahle, K.
    Contributions to Conferences: Other Contributions
  • Interconnecting offshore wind farms using multiterminal VSC-based HVDC

    Jovcic, D.
    Contributions to Conferences: Other Contributions
  • Multivariable Interaction Indicators for VSC Transmission Controller Design

    Lamont, L. A., Jovcic, D.
    Contributions to Conferences: Other Contributions
  • Small Signal Multi-level STATCOM Model

    Sternberger, R., Jovcic, D.
    Contributions to Conferences: Other Contributions
  • Compensation of Particle Accelerator Load Using Converter Controlled Pulse Compensator

    Jovcic, D., Kahle, K.
    IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 801-808
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Forced commutation circuit for HVDC

    Jovcic, D.
    Contributions to Conferences: Other Contributions
  • Offshore wind farm based on variable frequency mini-grids and multiterminal HVDC

    Jovcic, D., Milanovic, J.
    Contributions to Conferences: Other Contributions
  • A Comparison of Inverter Current Control and Rectifier Current Control for HVDC Systems

    Jovcic, D.
    International Journal of Power and Energy Systems, vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 164-170
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Compensation of particle accelerator load using converter controlled pulse compensator

    Jovcic, D., Kahle, K.
    Contributions to Conferences: Abstracts
  • Proton synchrotron compensation using voltage source converter technology

    Jovcic, D., Kahle, K.
    Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Conference Proceedings
  • SSR analysis with a new analytical model of Thyristor Controlled Series capacitor

    Pillai, G. N., Jovcic, D.
    Contributions to Conferences: Other Contributions
  • Proton Synchrotron Compensation using Voltage Source Technology

    Jovcic, D., Kahle, K.
    Contributions to Conferences: Other Contributions
  • Analytical Modeling of TCSC Dynamics

    Jovcic, D., Pillai, G. N.
    IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 1097-1104
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Fast Direct Voltage Controller for VSC Transmission

    Lamont, L. A., Jovcic, D., Abbott, K.
    Contributions to Conferences: Other Contributions
  • Static VAR Compensator for CERN’s Proton Synchrotron Accelerator

    Kahle, K., Jovcic, D.
    Contributions to Conferences: Other Contributions
  • VSC Transmission Control under Faults

    Lamont, L. A., Jovcic, D., Abbott, K.
    Contributions to Conferences: Other Contributions
  • SVC Dynamic Analytical Model

    Jovcic, D., Pahalawaththa, N., Zavahir, M., Hassan, H.
    IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 1455-1461
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • Discrete system model of a six-pulse SVC

    Jovcic, D., Pillai, G. N.
    Contributions to Conferences: Other Contributions
  • Phase Locked Loop System for FACTS

    Jovcic, D.
    IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 1116-1124
    Contributions to Journals: Articles
  • VSC Transmission model for analytical studies

    Jovcic, D., Lamont, L. A., Xu, L.
    Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Conference Proceedings
  • Test Systems and Models for DC/DC converters intended for DC transmission grid applications

    Jovcic, D., Darbandi, A., Dworakowski, P.
    Books and Reports: Technical Brochures
  • Control of HVDC systems operating with long DC cables

    Jovcic, D.
    Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Conference Proceedings
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