Dear IEEE NCS PELS Members, Greetings to our esteemed community! As the energy transition continues to reshape the global landscape, power electronics stands as a cornerstone in this transformation. Our upcoming discussion underscores its significance, focusing on a specific technology that is set to improve DC distribution: Title: The Current Shaping Modular Multilevel DC-DC Converter: An Enabler Technology for Future DC Distribution Grids Abstract: One of the next frontiers for DC grid technology will be the last mile of power delivery. For DC to be pervasive at distribution voltage levels, DC-DC converters for tapped power applications with low-cost and high-efficiency potential will be required. These converters would serve a similar function to secondary distribution transformers in AC grids. Recently a new class of converters has been introduced for this purpose, termed the current shaping modular multilevel converter (CS-MMC). The CS-MMC is a hybrid structure featuring a combined use of current source and voltage source modules, eliminating the need for internal string inductors. This particular structure enables high effective frequencies to be achieved, an important feature for achieving low-cost designs. In this presentation, an overview of the CS-MMC converter class will be presented along with some of the latest research findings on a new bidirectional current-fed multilevel topology with zero-current switching. A primary application for this topology is direct charging of an electric vehicle (EV) from a future medium-voltage DC distribution line.   Date: Friday, Nov 17, 2023, 11am-12pm Location: ICE 7-395, University of Alberta Virtual Access: https://ualberta-ca.zoom.us/j/99489587640?pwd=ZkluYXRPUHZnYkVrU0hFUWlOdWNpZz09 Meeting ID: 994 8958 7640 Passcode: 930092   Speaker: Dr. Philippe Gray, Assistant Professor, University of Calgary BIOGRAPHY Philippe Gray is an Assistant Professor in the area of power electronics in the Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary. He received his B.A.Sc. (Hons.) degree in engineering science, M.A.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Toronto in 2010, 2013 and 2022, respectively. From 2012 to 2013, Dr. Gray was a Visiting Researcher at ABB Corporate Research in Västerås, Sweden. From 2014 until 2017, he was a System Design Engineer at General Electric in Stafford, UK, working on high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission schemes. From 2022 until 2023, He was a Senior Power Electronics Engineer at Lucid Motors in California, where he worked on onboard charger design. Email: [email protected] Web presence LinkedIn Google Scholar

Dear IEEE NCS PELS Chapter members, Warm greetings from the IEEE NCS PELS Chapter! We hope this message finds you well and excited for the upcoming PELS Day 2023. To mark this special occasion, we are thrilled to announce that our chapter has organized a networking session followed by a delightful pizza lunch exclusively for IEEE NCS PELS members like you. The event aims to provide a platform for our members to connect with one another and learn more about our chapter. We truly value your participation and support in making our chapter vibrant and engaging. Let's come together to celebrate PELS Day 2023 in the most delightful way! Looking forward to seeing you on June 20th. Warm regards, IEEE NCS PELS Chapter

Dear IEEE PELS Chapter Members, We are excited to announce a unique opportunity for a Technical Tour to Siemens Medium Voltage VFDs and Motors, organized by the IEEE NCS YP with IEEE NCS PELS Chapter, to get an exclusive look at Siemens' MV VFD and Motor lineup with contactors. This tour will provide some valuable insights into industrial MV equipment. This event will be offered both in-person and online, to accommodate all our members. Please find the details of the event here.