2026

  • U. Drofenik, B. Suppan, "Analysis of a Medium Voltage DC-DC Converter", Invited Paper, Proceedings of the International Power Electronics Conference (IPEC-Nagasaki 2026 – ECCE Asia), Nagasaki, Japan, 2 June 2026.

2025

  • P. Aspalter, Y. Mitsugi, M. Vogelsberger, U. Drofenik, H. Ertl, "Concept Study on a Transformerless Medium Voltage Battery Storage System based on MOSFET-H-Bridges", Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Renewable Energy Research and Applications (ICRERA 2025), Vienna, Austria, Oct. 27-30, 2025.
  • P. Aspalter, M. Vogelsberger, U. Drofenik, H. Ertl, "Star Point Overvoltage Resonance Effects in Traction Motor Windings Caused by Close-in-Time Inverter Phase Switchings", Proceedings of the 51st Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society (IECON 2025), Madrid. Spain, Oct. 14-17, 2025.
  • J. W. Kolar, J. Huber, U. Drofenik, "99+% Efficient Ultra-Compact Solid-State Transformers for Future Datacenters", Keynote, 42nd Annual IEEE International Communication Energy Conference (INTELEC 2025), Houston, Texas, USA, October 12-15, 2025.

2024

  • J. Huber, U. Drofenik, F. Canales, J. W. Kolar, "Comparative Evaluation of Three-Phase-Unfolder-Based MVAC-LVDC Solid-State Transformers", Proceedings of the Conference on Power Electronics and Intelligent Motion (PCIM Europe 2024), Nuremberg, Germany, June 11 - 13, 2024. [pdf]

2026

  • U. Drofenik, “Exploring Reinforcement Learning Algorithms for Power Electronics,” Invited Talk, 11th CIES Technology Forum – Day 2: International Symposium, Tohoku University Center for Innovative Integrated Electronic Systems (CIES), Tokyo, Japan, 24 March 2026.
  • U. Drofenik, "AI Meets Power Electronics: Are We There Yet?", Keynote, PCIM Conference 2026, Nuremberg, Germany, 10 June 2026. [VIDEO]
  • P. Mederitsch, J. W. Kolar, U. Drofenik, "Novel AI-Based Input Current Control of Three-Phase PFC Rectifiers", Proceedings of the International Power Electronics Conference (IPEC-Nagasaki 2026 – ECCE Asia), Nagasaki, Japan, Jun. 2026.

2025

  • P. Mederitsch, J. W. Kolar, U. Drofenik, "Exploring Reinforcement Learning Algorithms for Current Control of Single-Phase AC/DC Full-Bridge Converters", Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Renewable Energy Research and Applications (ICRERA 2025), Vienna, Austria, Oct. 27-30, 2025. 

  • P. Mederitsch, J. W. Kolar, U. Drofenik, "AI-Based Approach for Exploring Power Electronics Employing Reinforcement Learning", Proceedings of the 51st Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society (IECON 2025), Madrid. Spain, Oct. 14-17, 2025.

     

2026

  • J.W. Kolar, j. Huber, U. Drofenik, "Beyond Tomorrow - Power Electronics Enabling Net Zero Process Industries", Keynote, IEEE 27th Workshop on Control and Modeling for Power Electronics (COMPEL 2026), Downing College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK, 20–23 July 2026. [pdf]

2025

  • J. W. Kolar, J. Huber, U. Drofenik, “Powering the Future – Monumental Challenges and Disruptive Innovations in Power Electronics”, Keynote Presentation at the 11th International Power Electronics and Motion Control Conference 2025 (ECCE Asia 2025), Bangalore, India, May 11-14, 2025. [pdf]
  • J. W. Kolar, J. Huber, U. Drofenik , “Challenges of «Green Growth» — Limited EROEI / Critical Raw Materials Shortage / Geopolitics / Economics / etc.”, Keynote Presentation at the Conference on Power Electronics and Intelligent Motion (PCIM Europe 2025), Nuremberg, Germany, May 6-8, 2025. [pdf]

2024

  • J. W. Kolar, J. Huber, L. Imperiali, U. Drofenik, "Are We Falling Off the «Net Energy Cliff» and Running Out of Critical Raw Materials?", Keynote Presentation at the 9th IEEE Southern Power Electronics Conference (SPEC 2024), Brisbane, Australia, December 2-6, 2024. [pdf]
  • U. Drofenik, "Power Electronics Trends and Disruption in the Coming Decades", Lectures on Power Electronic and Mechatronic Systems of the Swiss Chapter of the IEEE Power Electronics Society, Zurich, Switzerland, July 8, 2024. 

2026

  • U. Drofenik, "Trends and Disruptive Developments in Power Electronics in the Coming Decades", Inaugural Lecture, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria, 16 June 2026.
  • J.W. Kolar, "Netto-Null-2050 – Energy Moonshot oder Mission Impossible?", Invited High-Profile Lecture, ETIT–OVE High-Profile Lecture Series, jointly organized by the Technische Universität Wien and the Austrian Electrotechnical Association (OVE), Vienna, Austria, 16 June 2026.
  • J.W. Kolar, "IPEC and Power Electronics — Growing Together in Japan", Invited Commemorative Lecture, 10th IPEC Commemorative Lecture, International Power Electronics Conference – IPEC-Nagasaki 2026 (ECCE Asia), Nagasaki, Japan, 1 June 2026.

2025

  • ORF1 ZIB magazin, “Solarwechselrichter”, May 30, 2025.
  • U. Drofenik, “Elektrotechnik und Leistungselektronik: Gesellschaftliche Relevanz Energiewende / Medizintechnik / Künstliche Intelligenz”, Präsentation am BG/BRG Mödling Keimgasse, Österreich, May 21, 2025. 

Core Competences

  • Magnetic components (medium frequency transformers MFT, inductors) for power electronics (‘kilohertz at kiloamperes’) in order to optimise the use of wide-bandgap power semiconductors (SiC, GaN),
  • Medium-voltage converters for sustainable energy systems, traction/railway applications, e-mobility, data centres and other energy consumers and producers in the lower megawatt range,
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) in power electronics for modelling and optimisation of complex energy conversion systems with a focus on efficiency, cooling, standards, cost models, short design cycles,
  • Power electronics in fast-growing applications following long-term trends such as photovoltaics, electric vehicles (EV), data centres, green steel, hydrogen production, energy storage, medium-voltage drives

Publications

Research results are communicated through publications in leading international journals (e.g. the IEEE Transactions) and conference proceedings as well as in the form of PhD thesis.