On the evening of July 30, 2025, coinciding with the IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES) 2025 General Meeting, the 2025 North American Tsinghua University Department of Electrical Engineering and Applied Electronics (EEA) Alumni Reunion and Seminar on “North American Power System Transformation under the AI Wave” was successfully held in Austin, Texas, USA. Organized with the support of the Tsinghua EEA Alumni Association and enthusiastic North American EEA alumni, the event brought together more than 120 Tsinghua EEA alumni from around the world.

Figure 1: Scene of the 2025 North American Tsinghua EEA Alumni Reunion

The seminar invited distinguished guests including former IEEE PES President Jessica J. Bian, IEEE PES Presidential Candidate Professor Bikash Pal, and former Secretary-General of the Chinese Society for Electrical Engineering Ms. Li Ruomei. International alumni participants came from over 40 universities and companies across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong, China. Domestic alumni represented more than 10 universities and research institutions. Attending from Tsinghua University were EEA Dean Kang Chongqing, Professors Dong Xinzhou, Wang Bin, Hu Zechun, Zhang Ning, Zhong Haiwang, Guo Hongye, and Lin Chenhui, Automation Department Professor Geng Hua, as well as numerous postdoctoral researchers and PhD students. The seminar was hosted by EEA faculty member Guo Hongye and Master’s alumnus Chen Cong (admitted in 2017).

Figure 2: Alumni hosts Guo Hongye (left) and Chen Cong (right)

In the lively and friendly atmosphere, special guests delivered speeches. Ms. Jessica J. Bian expressed gratitude to Tsinghua EEA and its alumni for supporting IEEE PES work and shared her experiences as PES President. Ms. Li Ruomei encouraged attendees to value time and make the most of every day. Professor Bikash Pal introduced his platform for running as the next IEEE PES President.

Figure 3: Former IEEE PES President Jessica J. Bian delivering a speech

Figure 4: Former Secretary-General of the Chinese Society for Electrical Engineering, Ms. Li Ruomei

Figure 5: IEEE PES Presidential Candidate Professor Bikash Pal delivering a speech

The interactive session followed. Alumni were randomly seated upon entry, with each table selecting a table leader to moderate. Participants introduced themselves and engaged in Tsinghua-themed games to identify shared experiences, reminisce about their time at Tsinghua, and share career developments. Table leaders then introduced their table’s alumni to the whole room and summarized the game outcomes, with their humorous and lively presentations drawing laughter and applause.

Figure 6: Joyful alumni ice-breaking and interaction session

In the seminar on “North American Power System Transformation under the AI Wave”, Class of 2000 EEA alumnus Xie Le served as the host. Three alumni from the North American power industry—Xie Le, Lin Xi (admitted to Precision Instruments Department in 1992), and Chu Zhengguo (admitted to EEA in 2003)—shared in-depth discussions on the latest developments in the North American power system. Drawing on their professional experience, they described industry status, emerging trends, and encouraged professionals to seize opportunities and navigate the rapidly evolving power system landscape with confidence.

Figure 7: Alumni guest roundtable discussion

Following the academic discussion, Professor Kang Chongqing, President of the Tsinghua Alumni Association EEA Chapter, EEA Dean, and Director of Tsinghua University Energy Internet Research Institute (admitted to EEA in 1988), reported on the department’s recent developments and achievements, as well as alumni activities.

Figure 8: Professor Kang Chongqing presenting EEA developments, alumni work, and talent recruitment policies

After the presentation, Professor Kang granted the iEnergy Contribution Award to EEA alumni Xie Le (admitted in 2000, Undergraduate) and Wang Yi (admitted in 2014, PhD) in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the development of the iEnergy journal hosted by the EEA.

Figure 9: Professor Kang Chongqing presenting the iEnergy Contribution Award

Alumni then gathered for a group photo to capture the memorable moment.

Figure 11: Group photo of participating alumni

The venue was organized into 17 themed tables under three categories: core research and frontier technology discussions, career development and experience sharing, and open sharing. Alumni from around the world joined tables of interest to exchange insights, discuss challenges, and seek guidance from experienced alumni. Discussions were vibrant, and even after the official conclusion of the reunion, many alumni lingered at their tables.

Figure 11: Themed table discussions

The 2025 North American Tsinghua EEA Alumni Reunion and Seminar on “North American Power System Transformation under the AI Wave” concluded amid fond farewells, with attendees looking forward to the year ahead and next year’s reunion.