On the evening of July 24, coinciding with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Power and Energy Society (PES) 2024 General Meeting, the 2024 North America Tsinghua EEA (Department of Electrical Engineering and Applied Electronics, Tsinghua University) Alumni Reunion and Seminar on Power System Development under Climate Change was successfully held in Seattle. The event was organized with the support of the Tsinghua EEA Alumni Association and enthusiastic alumni from North America, bringing together 120 Tsinghua EEA alumni from around the world.

At the venue of 2024 North America Tsinghua EEA Alumni Reunion

The conference invited distinguished guests including Jessica J. Bian, former President of IEEE PES; Professor C. Y. Chung, President-elect of IEEE PES; Hong Chen, candidate for Chair of IEEE Division 7; and Dr. Don Tan, candidate for IEEE TA Vice President. International attendees included alumni from various regions and 43 universities/companies in the United States, Canada, the UK, Switzerland, Denmark, Hong Kong, and others. This group included scholars like Tong Lang, Xie Le, Zhang Peng, Sun Kai, and Yu Nanpeng, as well as senior engineers in the energy sector such as Wang Yongqiang, Shi Xuegong, Wang Weiguo, Jin Chunlian, and Lin Xi. Domestic participants included scholars like Luan Wenpeng, Yao Liangzhong, and Dong Xuzhu, representing 18 universities/research institutions in China. Faculty members attending included Professor Kang Chongqing, Dean of EEA, along with Wu Wenchuan, Ci Song, Guo Qinglai, Hu Zechun, Zhang Ning, Zhong Haiwang, Guo Hongye, Lin Chenhui, Geng Hua from the Department of Automation, and Du Ershun from the Low-Carbon Energy Laboratory, along with several postdoctoral and doctoral students. The meeting was hosted by Zhao Dongbo, an undergraduate alumnus admitted in 2004, and Li Jiarong, a doctoral alumnus admitted in 2016.

Zhao Dongbo (right) and Li Jiarong (left) hosting the meeting

Remarks by Jessica J. Bian, Former President of IEEE PES

Remarks by Professor C. Y. Chung, President-elect of IEEE PES

Remarks by Hong Chen, Candidate for Chair of IEEE Division 7

Remarks by Dr. Don Tan, Candidate for IEEE TA Vice President

In a warm and pleasant atmosphere, the invited guests delivered their remarks. Jessica J. Bian expressed gratitude for the support of the Tsinghua University Department of Electrical Engineering and its alumni for the work of IEEE PES, sharing her experiences and insights from her presidency; Professor C. Y. Chung praised the lively atmosphere of the alumni meeting and the spirit of unity among Tsinghua alumni; Hong Chen outlined her plans for campaigning for the next IEEE Division 7 Chair; and Dr. Don Tan introduced his agenda for his campaign for the next IEEE TA Vice President.

Joyful and Lively Alumni Interaction Session

Next was an interactive session, where Zhao Dongbo and Li Jiarong prepared over ten fun quiz questions related to Tsinghua EEA, incorporating them into the alumni self-introduction segment. Alumni made new friends, reconnected with old acquaintances, reminisced about their wonderful times at Tsinghua, and shared their career developments, leading to laughter and joy.

Guest Alumni Roundtable Discussion

Following this, Xie Le, an alumnus admitted in 2000, moderated the academic discussion segment on “Power System Development under Climate Change,” focusing on the changes in power systems due to climate change. Four alumni representatives from China and the U.S.—Xu Yixing (Admitted in 2003), Zhang Ning (Admitted in 2003), Zhou Yifan (Admitted in 2010), and Chen Yue (Admitted in 2011)—engaged in a lively discussion. Chen Yue emphasized the importance of developing efficient algorithms and mechanisms to utilize existing resources, while Zhou Yifan highlighted the necessity of valuing system stability. The discussion compared approaches to climate change between China and the U.S., with Xu Yixing elaborating on the background of related energy policies based on American experiences. Zhang Ning introduced the top-down process in China’s journey to achieving carbon neutrality, noting that China’s power system is rapidly transforming. The academic roundtable showcased alumni's attention to and exploration of power system development.

Professor Kang Chongqing Introduces the Department’s Developments, Alumni Activities, and Talent Recruitment Policies

After the academic discussion, Professor Kang Chongqing, President of the Tsinghua EEA Alumni Association, Dean of EEA, and Director of the Energy Internet Research Institute of Tsinghua University, reported on the recent developments and achievements of the department, outlined the alumni activities, and promoted the talent recruitment policies of the Tsinghua EEA.

Group Photo of Attending Alumni

Finally, the attendees took a group photo, marking the end of the 2024 North America Tsinghua EEA Alumni Reunion and Seminar on Power System Development under Climate Change. Participants left with fond farewells, filled with anticipation for their work in the coming year and the reunion next year.