From June 29 to July 1, the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) transformed into a global hub for energy innovation, hosting the prestigious IEEE IES CPE-POWERENG26 International Conference. As the world's leading minds in power electronics gathered in Ningbo, the conference became much more than a technical exchange — it was a vibrant testament to how international collaboration is shaping the future of sustainable energy.

As the flagship conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society (IES), CPE-POWERENG has long served as an international platform for academia, industry, and research communities to present new ideas, findings, and ongoing projects in power electronics, renewable energy integration, power generation and transmission, electromechanical energy conversion, automation, and electromagnetic compatibility. This year's edition drew experts, engineers, and researchers from universities, research institutes, and companies across more than 20 countries and regions, all gathered to discuss the latest advances and industrial applications in power electronics and energy.

The conference opened with a welcome address by Prof. Giampaolo Buticchi of UNNC, who extended a warm welcome to all attendees and outlined the background and objectives of the conference, highlighting its significance in advancing the field and fostering international academic exchange.

The academic program featured keynote addresses from world-renowned IEEE Fellows. We were honored to host Prof. Carlo Cecati, Prof. Xinbo Ruan, Prof. Josep Guerrero, and Prof. Marco Liserre. Notably, Prof. Liserre—who also serves as the co-director of the Zhejiang–Germany Joint Laboratory on Smart Grid Technologies—delivered a fascinating presentation on how smart power systems are poised to sustain the explosive growth of next-generation data centers.

Each keynote was followed by lively Q&A sessions, with delegates engaging speakers in in-depth discussions on the core challenges and future directions of power electronics technology. 

Two tutorial sessions covered topics ranging from foundational theory to engineering applications. The first tutorial, co-chaired by Dr. Mukhammed Murataliyev of UNNC and Dr. Meiji Wang of the University of Nottingham UK, focused on "Recent Advances in the Design, Control, and Applications of Bearingless Motors," examining their potential and key enabling technologies for high-speed, high-cleanliness, and harsh-environment applications.

The second tutorial, chaired by Prof. Alberto Castellazzi of Kyoto University of Advanced Science, was titled "From Boost-VSI to VSI-Boost and Y-Inversion: A New Paradigm for High-Performance Wide-Bandgap Power Conversion," offering an in-depth analysis of the advantages of SiC and GaN devices in novel converter topologies.

The conference featured three special sessions on grid-connected converters, advanced power electronics control, and EV-grid coordination, alongside over 60 oral presentations covering wide-bandgap devices, MMC modelling, battery health estimation, and microgrid energy management — all sparking lively discussions among participants.

The spirit of internationalization was further echoed during the gala dinner, where UNNC Provost and Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof. Jon Garibaldi warmly welcomed the attendees. In his address, he proudly highlighted UNNC's unique role as China’s first Sino-foreign university, emphasizing that hosting such a global event is at the very heart of our mission to build bridges between Eastern and Western academia.

However, the highlight of the evening — and the perfect embodiment of this cultural fusion — was the breathtaking performance by the Yue Opera troupe. As the delegates, hailing from every corner of the globe, were treated to this exquisite traditional art form native to Ningbo and Zhejiang province, the conference transcended the boundaries of laboratories and lecture halls. It was a beautiful reminder that while technology connects our industries, culture connects our souls, leaving our international guests with an unforgettable taste of local heritage.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all the speakers, delegates, and organizers who made this event a resounding success. The conversations started here in Ningbo will undoubtedly echo across the globe as we continue to drive innovation forward — together.