My area of expertise is on power system dynamics and modeling and control of wind power plant to support power system operation. I am member of the Management Team of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Wind and Marine Energy Systems and Course Director of the MSc in Wind Energy Systems. I am a key participant to the Wind Integration Sub-Programme of the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA) Joint Programme Wind (JP Wind) leading Strathclyde’s involvement and contribution to this Sub-Programme. During 2010-2011 I was Visiting Professor in Wind Energy at NTNU, Trondheim, Norway funded by Det Norske Veritas. I have published 4 technical books in power systems control and wind energy electrical systems.

Over more than 15 years now my research has concentrated in one major area, namely power system stability and dynamic modelling and control of wind energy systems for network support and operation.

My expertise has particularly focused on:

• Modelling and analysis of mechanical and electrical systems of large wind turbines, using analytical and software-based tools, focusing on developing enhanced control systems based on a holistic analysis approach to improve overall system performance and to reduce the life-cycle cost of wind farms.
• Designing control philosophies and schemes that enable the secure and cost-effective operation of wind electricity systems enhancing the dynamic interaction with power networks. Here my main contribution has been to control a wind power plant in such a way that it emulates the dynamic characteristics of conventional generating plant based on synchronous generators (in terms of dynamic voltage and frequency behaviour)
• Modelling, control and dynamic analysis of advanced power converter based applications such as HVDC and reactive power compensation equipment for large-scale wind integration. My competence is on the modelling, control and simulation of these technologies to study the operation and define control requirements to address network contingencies (e.g. fault handling and frequency support).

My research interests are focused on the following major strands:

• advanced interface technology between the grid and offshore wind farms (including offshore wind farm arrays) to enhance the reliability and security of supply during significant events in the network. This involves exploring new options for the collection and large-scale transmission of wind generation through multi-terminal VSC-HVDC (MTDC) networks and assessing their stability and controllability, and low-frequency alternating current (LFAC) transmission.
• control strategies for future multi-technology offshore wind power systems to facilitate Grid Code(s) compliance (fault-ride through capability, power quality and provision of dynamic voltage and frequency support to the onshore power network(s)).
• new operational strategies for future power systems based on the smart grid concept – The utilization of wide area and real time information on the operational situation and power transfer capability will play an important role. To achieve this goal short-term forecasts of wind power generation and demand, on-line information of facility dynamic rating, adaptation of coordinated power system control and protection, should be used to push the transmission network to the limits of its capability without sacrificing efficiency and system security.
• large-scale energy storage and interconnectors to facilitate and to accelerate the deployment of wind electricity systems in European networks.
• high-tech multi-terminal DC-network hybrid test–bed as research and teaching tool based on the smart-grid concept to carry out real time hardware in the loop experimentation.

I teach the following core topics for 5^th-year and post-graduate students:

• Power system stability and control
• Modelling and control of wind generator technology

I am Course Co-Director of the MSc in Wind Energy Systems and I also teach power system analysis in partner Universities in China.

Academic Qualifications:

PhD in Electrical Engineering, University of Glasgow, UK, 2003.

MSc in Electrical Engineering, Instituto Tecnologico de Morelia, Mexico, 1997.

BEng in Electrical Engineering, Instituto Tecnologico de Morelia, Mexico, 1990.

Membership of Professional Bodies

• Member of the Scientific Committee of the Norwegian Research Centre for Offshore Wind Technology (NOWITECH).

• Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (MIET).

• Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (MIEEE).