From August 10 to 15, Professor Ralph Kennel, Emeritus Chair of the Institute of High-Power Converter Systems (HLU) at the Technical University of Munich, visited the Department of Electrical Engineering and Applied Electronics (EEA) at Tsinghua University at the invitation of Professor Li Yongdong. On August 13, he delivered an academic lecture titled “Model Predictive Control for Power Electronic Converters and Motor Drives: Control Concept of the Future?” The lecture was chaired by Professor Li Yongdong, attended by Zheng Zedong, Secretary of the Department Party Committee, and more than ten postdoctoral researchers and doctoral students.

During the morning session on August 13, Professor Li Yongdong delivered a welcome speech, expressing his sincere greetings to Professor Kennel. In his lecture, Professor Kennel first compared traditional linear control methods with nonlinear predictive control from the perspective of control theory, objectively evaluating the technical advantages and application limitations of model predictive control (MPC). He then systematically reviewed the development history of MPC technology, highlighting the background and current status of the International Conference on Predictive Control of Electrical Drives and Power Electronics (PRECEDE), which he initiated.

In the technical core of the lecture, Professor Kennel clearly explained the fundamental principles of MPC and showcased innovative applications of the technology in Z-source inverters and predictive speed control of permanent magnet synchronous motors. The lecture concluded with a forward-looking discussion on the integration of model predictive torque control and sensorless control technologies, offering new perspectives for research in related fields. During the interactive discussion, Professors Li Yongdong, Zheng Zedong, and other attendees raised questions regarding MPC technology, which Professor Kennel addressed with professional insights drawn from his extensive industrial and academic experience.

In the afternoon, Professor Kennel held a focused seminar with Professor Li Yongdong and Dr. Chen Qing on the organization of international academic conferences. Drawing on his years of experience in international conference organization, he provided professional guidance on preparatory work, key timelines, and common pitfalls to avoid.

Lecturer Profile

Ralph Kennel is Emeritus Chair Professor at the Technical University of Munich, Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), and Chartered Engineer (CEng) in the UK. He previously served as Vice Chair of the IEEE Power Electronics Society (PELS) and as IEEE Member-at-Large. Professor Kennel has achieved remarkable success in both industry and academia. From 1983 to 1999, he worked at Robert Bosch GmbH in Germany, progressing from R&D engineer to department head. In 1999, he succeeded the renowned electrical engineering scholar Professor Joachim Holtz as Chair Professor at Wuppertal University. In 2008, he succeeded Professor Dierk Schröder to become Chair Professor at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), further advancing the field.

Professor Kennel’s research focuses on sensorless control, model predictive control of AC motors and power electronic systems, and power hardware-in-the-loop simulation. His team has trained over 100 PhD students, including 25 from China, making significant contributions to Sino-German scientific collaboration and academic exchange.