Workshop | Future Architecture of the Network (FAN) Conference 2026

FAN Conference Workshop

Date: Wednesday, February 4th
Location: AM102/ AM104 Alan McDiarmid Building, Kelburn Campus, Victoria University of Wellington
Presentation title: The Digital Power STAGE (Simulation Technologies to Accelerate Grid Evolution)
Power grids are changing fast due to inverter-based resources, EV charging, datacenters, and the rise of DC and hybrid AC/DC grids. These shifts create new challenges in stability, protection, and cybersecurity that offline simulation and scalable lab testing often cannot address. The workshop highlights how real-time simulation and HIL testing can validate grid-forming inverters, controllers, protection devices, and communication protocols under realistic conditions.

Industry Workshop

Date & Time: February 4th, 1:45PM
Location: AM102/ AM104 Alan McDiarmid Building, Kelburn Campus, Victoria University of Wellington

Nirmal Nair is a Professor of Electrical, Computer, and Software Engineering at the University of Auckland. An IEEE Fellow and a CIGRE Distinguished Member, Nirmal is involved in the IEEE New Zealand North Section, IEEE Power and Energy Society and CIGRE New Zealand National Committee

Holding over 14 years of teaching experience at Victoria University of Wellington, Ramesh Rayudu specializes in power system engineering and renewable energy. Additionally, he serves as the Chair and Treasurer of the IEEE PES New Zealand Central Section Chapter.