Special Lecture on "Wind Power into Power Systems: Integration Issues". Wind energy systems have seen substantial growth around the world, especially in Europe. This growth has led to a rapid change in the generation landscape because of the increasing penetration of wind energy in utility systems. These fundamental changes require the power grid to become more vibrant and interactive which will demand significant changes in grid operation, protection, and control. This seminar provides a comprehensive overview about issues related to the integration of wind power into power system and its impact over the performance.

CIGRE-UK Spring Conference and Technical Visit 14-15 March 2012. A discussion of UK and European T&D network solutions to the challenge of increasing levels of renewable generation, organised by ABB Limited on behalf of CIGRE-UK. ABB now has confirmed contributions for this Cigre UK event from National Grid, ENTSO-E, Alstom Grid, ABB, Smart Wind, SSE, Durham University, Atkins, University of Manchester, UK Power Networks and several other key industry stakeholders. Topics covered will include, Future Offshore Transmission Networks, Multi Terminal HVDC Systems, HVDC Breaker developments, Energy Storage on the UK Distribution System, and Series Compensation to increase power transfer on the UK transmission system. Full up-to-date programme can be obtained here. Dr Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt is pleased to announce his participation in this conference. He will present his paper titled "Implications of the DC Voltage Control Strategy on the Dynamic Behaviour of Multi-terminal HVDC following a Converter Outage" - Coventry University, University of Manchester & Universidad de Sevilla.

Students got a taste of real power systems. On Monday 30th January 2012, around 20 students of Department of Aerospace, Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Coventry University travelled by coach to the National Grid House, Warwick Technology Park, Warwick. When they arrived, there were strict security arrangements and they all had pre-made security badges to wear. After a short introduction and brief, they watched two fascinating presentations by several employees at the centre, a vision of National Grid electricity business and Future Aspects and Challenges on Energy Market were presented. They enjoyed a presentation about the main functions of the gas supply network - to ensure sufficient supply is available at the right place and the right time to meet consumer demand. After that presentation, they enjoyed viewing of the National Grid's System Control Centre, which manages the flow of the gas from the beach to the end consumer. It uses telemetered data from all the operational sites to monitor the system. Finally, they enjoyed a technical tour on Hams Substation, 400/275/132 kV. It was a great opportunity to gain a first hand understanding of how such a complex and yet taken-for-granted system works and the real challenges faced by electrical engineers In getting electricity from where it is generated, to your house. This was a unique opportunity to visit National Grid facilities and see everything behind the power system processes. The main organizer, Dr Francisco Gonzalez-Longatt is very pleased about this visit, "It is really important for students to be able to relate the material taught in their lecture courses to real-life engineering technology". Next field trip will be announced very soon.

Field-Trip to National Grid. The company, National Grid plc, manages the backbone of the UK's gas and electricity distributions. At the electrical control centre, their main aim is to maintain the UK's supply frequency of 50Hz. They make make accurate 'ahead of time' predictions of energy demand, request supply from generators, and take part in energy trading. Another big responsibility is to ensure the system remains stable if one or more catastrophic faults occur simultaneously, such as a transformer exploding, or a pylon being struck by lighting!. Dr Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt of the Department of Aerospace, Electrical and Electronic Engineers at Coventry University is quite glad to announce this visit. "It is really important for students to be able to relate the material taught in their lecture courses to real-life engineering technology". This is a very unique opportunity to visit National Grid facilities and see everything behind the power system processes. [Download].

Postgraduate Opportunities. Dr Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt is glad to announce postgraduate opportunities in his research group. The massive integration of wind power in the North Sea and the pan-European grid "Super-grid" has open the door for very exciting research topics in terms of power system dynamic, voltage and frequency stability. Several research topics. Any potential candidate can contact Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt.

Coventry University is the new destination of Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt. The very well-known "Coventry Boy" statue provides a very good message. It represents the industrial and craft skills embodied in modern Coventry. On background of the photo, you can see the logo of Coventry University. It was designed by A. Faris, and it shows a phoenix, a mythical bird with splendid plumage, reputed to live in the Arabian Desert Phoenix bird is that reborn anew to live from its ashes...

Farewell of Dr Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt to the University of Manchester. Farewell of Dr Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt to the University of Manchester. Live is dynamic and changing and careers must adapt to these changes. After almost three years on the University of Manchester, Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt part from University and its research group. A success record of publications and deliverables during his time on Manchester talk about the performance as researcher of Dr Gonzalez-Longatt, however, it is time to evolve on his career and move on. A very good experience was work with brilliant minds like Professor Daniel Kirschen and Dr Francois Bouffard. Beyond their high cognitive level, they are human being with a respectfully knowledge of collaboration and personal development. Dr Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt would like say, they are important part of this career and they were responsible to open doors when he arrived to Manchester. Professor Vladimir Terzija, he is a very clever person who open his research group and adopt Dr Gonzalez-Longatt. Dr Gonzalez-Longatt is thankful for this wise advise about research pathways, how create a effective "win-win" relationship during a research project. Thanks. Finally, Dr. Gonzalez-Longatt like provide special words for Mr Peter Wall and Mr Pawel Regulski for his collaboration, support and friendship during his time on Manchester.

IEEE PES ISGT 2011 Europe. The second European conference and exhibition on Innovative Smart Grid Technologies (ISGT-EUROPE 2011), sponsored by the IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES) and hosted by the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering of The University of Manchester, was held December 5 – 7, 2011 at Manchester Central Complex in Manchester, United Kingdom. This amazing conference created a magnificent atmosphere for discussion between researcher, academics and utilities partners in the main important topics of smart grid. During this conference, Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt present a paper titled "Fixed Speed Wind Generator Model Parameter Estimation using Improved Particle Swarm Optimization and System Frequency".

IET Renewable Power Generation Conference 2011, 5-8 September 2011,  Edinburgh-UK. RPG 2011 provided the perfect opportunity to publish results, share practical knowledge and meet leading academics, industry and business leaders. The conference will focus on the latest developments in renewable power generation, incorporating applications of technology and systems integration. Other technologies have a direct role in sustainable power generation will be covered. This magnificent conference deal with the aspects of developments in renewable power generation, including applications, systems integration and other technologies with a direct role in sustainable power generation. Developments in renewable power generation are treated during this events, including applications, systems integration and other technologies with a direct role in sustainable power generation. Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt in close collaboration with the PhD Student of The University of Manchester, Mr. Peter Wall, presented in this conference a paper titled "Fixed Speed Wind Generator Model Parameter Estimation using Improved Particle Swarm Optimization and System Frequency". The speaker during the presentation was Mr. Peter Wall, on the link below you can go directly to IET TV and see the presentation, speech and slides of this important paper.

2011 IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting, 24-28June 2011, Detroit, USA. The 2011 IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting was held 24 – 28 July 2011 at the Renaissance Center in Detroit, Michigan, USA. This premier power engineering conference is an space to met up together practicing power engineers, executives, policy makers and academics from all over the world. Dr Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt attended to the IEEE PES GM 2011, and He presented a paper titled "Induction Generator Model Parameter Estimation using Improved Particle Swarm Optimization and On-Line Response to a Change in Frequency". This is a very important application to estimate induction machine parameters, considering a novelty approach, on-line system frequency response.

Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt visit Smøla Wind Farm.  Smøla Wind Farm is a 68 turbine wind farm located in the municipality of Smøla in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. This wind farm is operated by Statkraft and it is located southeast of Dyrnes on the island of Smøla. Total installed effect is 20 x 2.0 MW (phase one) plus 48 x 2.3 MW (phase two). The maximum production capacity is 150 MW and total generating capacity is in average 450 GWh per year, making Smøla the largest wind farm in the country and the largest onshore wind farm in Europe

IEEE PES Trondheim PowerTech 2011 19 - 23 June 2011, Norway. PowerTech is the anchor conference of the IEEE Power & Energy Society in Europe. It is intended to provide a forum for electric power engineering scientists and engineers to share ideas, results of their scientific work, to learn from each other as well as to establish new friendships and maintain existing ones. Dr Francisco Gonzalez-Longatt is pleased to announce his published an simplified model for Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG) used for direct drive turbines. The paper is titled "Simplified Model for Dynamic Behavior of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator for Direct Drive Wind Turbines." In this paper, a simplified model to represent variable speed wind turbines in power system dynamics simulations is presented. This model is based in the use of controls-oriented model for permanent magnet synchronous generator supplying voltage-stiff bus system, including intrinsic torque/load properties. First, the modelling approach is commented upon and models of the subsystems of which a variable speed wind turbine consists are discussed. Then, time-domain simulations have been performed for one study case in order to demonstrate the suitable use of the model proposed in this paper. Results have shown that the model developed performs satisfactorily for slow dynamic when compared with the results obtained from simulation considering the detailed model. Also, Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt was distinguished with the honour of be Chair on the Wind turbine Control (Tuesday. 14:00h to 15:30h. Room EL6).