Professor Dragan Jovcic

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:

• Book: Jovcic, D. "High Voltage Direct Current Transmission: Converters, Systems and DC Grids. Wiley-Blackwell, 2nd edition, 2019. 
• CIGRE Green Book on HVDC - DC-DC converters fopr DC Transmisison Grids,
• IEEE explore
• Scopus
• Scholar
• CIGRE Brochures

Prizes and Awards

IEEE PES Distingushed Lectuer seminars:

Southampton, UK, February 2020,

Southampton, UK, February 2020,

Bucharest, Romania, November 2019,

Bucharest, Romania, November 2019,

GeorgiaTech, Atlanta, USA, August 2019,

GeorgiaTech, Atlanta, USA, August 2019,

Copenhagen, Denmark, July, 2019,

Copenhagen, Denmark, July, 2019,

Belgrade, Serbia, October 2018,

Belgrade, Serbia, October 2018,

Paris, France, April 2017,

Novi Sad, Serbia, September 2016,

Novi Sad, Serbia, September 2016,

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.

Knowledge Exchange

KTP-funded project:

• PACT Engineering, Scotland, "Drivetrain modelling for a PIGASYS robot tool", 2007,

IEEE PES Distingushed Lectuer seminars:

Southampton, UK, February 2020,

Southampton, UK, February 2020,

Bucharest, Romania, November 2019,

Bucharest, Romania, November 2019,

GeorgiaTech, Atlanta, USA, August 2019,

GeorgiaTech, Atlanta, USA, August 2019,

Copenhagen, Denmark, July, 2019,

Copenhagen, Denmark, July, 2019,

Belgrade, Serbia, October 2018,

Belgrade, Serbia, October 2018,

Paris, France, April 2017,

Novi Sad, Serbia, September 2016,