Powering the Future – Power Electronics

While the energy transition spotlight mainly falls on solar, wind, EVs and green factories, the real enabler of the energy transition works behind the scenes: power electronics. These conversion and control technologies are the backbone of electrification—squeezing more value from every watt, stabilizing DC flows, and turning volatility into strategic advantage. For manufacturing and energy leaders under cost, uptime and decarbonization pressure, mastering power electronics is no longer optional; it’s the lever that lifts efficiency, resilience and margins simultaneously.

The next frontier is bi‑directional energy—EVs and assets that both consume and supply power—unlocking Vehicle‑to‑Grid, Vehicle‑to‑Site and even Vehicle‑to‑Factory models. Charge when green generation peaks, discharge when demand (and prices) spike. None of this works at scale without advanced DC conversion, control and protection. Our workshop opens with the strategic “why” and the system “how”: power electronics at the heart of electrification, DC grids for industry, and grid resilience—brought to life by experts from organizations such as EnergyVille/KU Leuven, Agoria‑Sirris and leading inverter innovators (e.g., CE+T, CISSOID, Futech).

We then dive into the industrial state‑of‑the‑art. Expect pragmatic insights on high‑performance converter systems and DC grids, and reliability & grid integration. Finally, we address one of the fastest win‑areas for factories: electrifying heating & cooling with heat‑pump elements and manufacturing know‑how. The outcome for leaders: concrete pathways to cut energy cost and CO₂ while strengthening operational continuity.

Secure your seat, align your roadmap, and put power electronics—the hidden hero—firmly on your C‑suite agenda.

👉 Register online

Programme

12.15-13.00: Welcome and sandwich lunch

13.00-13.40: Setting the scene

• Welcome and opening remarks Bram De Wispelaere (EnergyVille)
• Power Electronics at the heart of Electrification Wilmar Martinez (EnergyVille / KU Leuven)
  -Why PE is important – DC grids – Industrial persepectives on SiC/GaN Inverters Benoit Bidaine (CE+T Power) – Resilience in the current and future grid Jean-Marc Timmermans (Agoria)

13.40-14.50: Industrial State-of-the-Art

• Power Electronics & Conversion
  – High-Performance Converter Systems & DC Grids Patrice Fleurquin (OTLL – Open Thor Living Lab)
• EV Charging Infrastructure
  – Smart Charging Network Rollout in Flanders Wim Cardinaels (EnergyVille / VITO) – Hardware for battery charging. Efficiency and Size as key Hans Wouters (EnergyVille / KU Leuven)
• Electrification of industrial heating and cooling processes
  – Data Center Infrastructure in Belgium Jurgen Caeyman (Automation)

14.50-15.10: Coffee Break

15.10-16.15 Round Table Sessions

16.20-16.50: Panel discussion with Industry Experts

16.50-17.30: Looking ahead – Visionary Talks

• Modular, software-defined power: Piet Vanassche (mtuition)
• The future of Power Electronics & DC Grids: Simon Ravyts (EnergyVille/KU Leuven)
• Limburg: Bridging Borders, Building Business, Boosting Breakthroughs: Sam Jordens (POM Limburg)

17.30-19.00: Networking reception