Skip navigation

Electrical Power and Control Systems

The Electrical Power and Control Systems group is an internationally recognised multidisciplinary group, undertaking cutting edge research in renewable energy, power electronics, electric vehicles, battery charging, electric machine and drive, power system management and optimisation, advanced control theory and methods, autonomous driving, robotic systems, and artificial intelligence for engineering applications.

Recent research efforts include:

  • Condition monitoring, diagnosis, and prognosis for offshore wind turbine systems
  • Smart, clean energy and electric vehicles and prototype smart EV charger
  • Power converters for renewable energy systems
  • Next generation wide bandgap power modules and wireless power transfer techniques
  • Grid integration of renewable energy sources (wind/PV) and electric vehicles
  • Information and communication technologies for smart grid
  • Energy storage, management, and optimisation
  • Electric machines and drive techniques
  • Advanced control theory and applications
  • Control for power converters in marine energy systems
  • Control applications for aerospace systems 
  • Monitoring and control for cyber physical systems
  • Dynamics and control for vehicular systems and autonomous driving
  • Real-time control for robotic systems
  • Machine learning and data-driven techniques for complex industrial processes
  • Precise time synchronisation in wireless sensor network and synchronized data acquisition for time-critical systems
  • Bioinformatics and health care system

We also have expertise in electronic system design and verification using hardware description languages, integrated circuit design (VLSI), analogue and digital electronics, microprocessors and embedded systems, microcontrollers, and digital electronics.

Our recent research activities are supported by various funding bodies such as

  • Development of a smart micro-grid with high penetration of PV generation and electric vehicles, funded by UKIERI and DST-British Council
  • Smart, clean energy and electric vehicles for the city (SEEV4-City), funded by EU 
  • An intelligent battery charger for electric vehicles applications, funded by Innovate UK
  • Stability and performance of photovoltaics (STAPP), funded by DST-EPSRC, UK-India collaboration
  • Testing and evaluating sophisticated information and communication technologies for enabling scalable smart grid deployment, funded by EU H2020 Marie Curie Research
  • Current distribution measurement of press-pack power module, Industrial project funded by Dynex.

Group leadership and contacts

Contact: Dr. Zhiwei (David) Gao and Haimeng Wu

This research group forms part of the Department of Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering.

Research relationships

This group is a part of the University’s multi-disciplinary research into the theme of Energy Futures.

Research from this group has been submitted to REF2028 under UoA 12: Engineering.

To view research papers emanating from this group, please click here to view Northumbria Research Link, our open access repository of research output from Northumbria University.

 

PhD opportunities

Electrical Power and Control Systems Research Group welcome applications from excellent and motivated students and researchers. There are the following research opportunities: 

  • Fully-funded PhD studentships: pre-defined projects, advertised usually in December every year. You can feel free to apply following the information in the advertisement.  
  • Collaborative doctoral research studentship (CDRS) programme: co-funds, typically 50% of the total project cost, with external partners/organisations. 
  • Self-sponsored PhD students: researching your own idea with an academic supervisor. You are welcome to discuss your projects before submitting your application.   
  • China scholarship council (CSC) PhD students and visiting scholars: You are welcome to contact the head of the research group for discussion. 

Successful applicants will benefit from joining a vibrant and diverse environment, working with world leading experts at the forefront of electrical and electronic engineering. A wide range of projects are available covering important topics in renewable energy (offshore wind/wave, and PV), power electronics, power systems, smart grids, electric machines, electric vehicles, control engineering, intelligent manufacturing, smart transportation/cities, complex systems and dynamics, robotic systems, and health care systems.  

 

 

 


ourcourses_physics
+

Mathematics, Physics & Electrical Engineering Courses

With a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate and distance learning Mathematics, Physics & Electrical Engineering courses, whatever you want to get out of university, let us show you why you want Northumbria University, Newcastle!

our_staff
+

Mathematics, Physics & Electrical Engineering Staff

Our Mathematics, Physics & Electrical Engineering students learn from the best – inspirational academic staff with a genuine passion for their subject. Our courses are at the forefront of current knowledge and practice and are shaped by world-leading and internationally excellent research.

a group of people around each other
+

Undergraduate Open Day Events

Looking to study in with us in September? Our Undergraduate Open Day Events are the perfect opportunity for you to find out as much as you can about our wide range of courses and world-class facilities.

Latest News and Features

Times Modern University of Year
Interact symposium
NUdata CDT Industry Event-160
Image background - NASA Goddard/CIL/Adriana Manrique Gutierrez, Spacecraft images - NASA/ESA
NESST vision achieves regional business recognition for Pro-Vice-Chancellor
More news

Back to top