From July 6 to 9, 2026, the L2EP laboratory organized the Summer School “Power Electronic Converters on Transmission Systems: From Fundamentals to Practical Applications, ” an event dedicated to the challenges of electrical systems dominated by power electronic converters. Jointly organized by Centrale Lille and Arts et Métiers, this year’s event brought together more than fifty participants from academia and industry.
L2EP Summer School: A Look Back at the 2026 Session
From July 6 to 9, 2026, the L2EP laboratory organized the summer school titled “Power Electronic Converters on Transmission Systems: From Fundamentals to Practical Applications”
A Key Issue in the Energy Transition
Against the backdrop of the energy transition, the growing integration of renewable energy sources, and the development of high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) grids, electronic power converters play a crucial role in the stability, flexibility, and performance of modern power grids. This topic is now at the heart of current and future energy challenges.
The 2026 edition brought together 55 participants in a hybrid format, with 36 attending in person and 19 participating remotely. The audience was composed of equal parts academics and industry professionals, fostering rich discussions on issues related to power electronics and electrical grids.
A scientific program combining theory and applications
Over the course of four days, participants took part in a program that combined theoretical instruction, simulations, and feedback:
- Fundamentals of Converter Control
- Grid-Following and Grid-Forming Control Strategies
- applications in HVDC systems, Modular Multilevel Converters (MMCs), and wind turbines
- Interactions between converters, synchronous machines, and AC/DC networks
- simulations using MATLAB/Simulink
- Industrial Case Studies
The 2026 edition also featured presentations by representatives from major players in the energy and industrial sectors, including EDF, RTE, and General Electric, allowing participants to compare academic approaches with the operational realities on the ground.
A catalyst for training and the development of professional networks
Frédéric Colas, a research engineer, and François Gruson, a senior lecturer (HDR), both members of L2EP on the Lille campus and organizers of this session, highlight the benefits of the Summer School for doctoral students:
“The Summer School serves as a real catalyst for doctoral students’ training. Beyond the rapid acquisition of knowledge on cutting-edge topics, it offers them the opportunity to present their research, exchange ideas with experts in the field, and expand their professional network. The event also fosters connections between different generations of researchers: former doctoral students regularly return to share the progress they’ve made since completing their dissertations and the practical applications of their work.”
An international community united around power electronics
The international scope of this Summer School was once again evident, with participants from several European countries—including France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Spain, and Sweden—as well as participants joining remotely from North America.
In addition to the scientific program, participants also had the opportunity to get together at an evening event held on July 8 on the Arts et Métiers campus—a particularly enjoyable social gathering that fostered informal exchanges among doctoral students, faculty members, and industry representatives.
The success of this year's event once again demonstrates the L2EP's ability to bring together an international community to address the challenges of power electronics and the power grids of the future.
Congratulations to all the organizers: Frédéric Colas and François Gruson from Arts et Métiers, and Antoine Bruyère and Xavier Guillaud from Centrale Lille, as well as Jean-Marc Rousseau, Multimedia Designer and DirectorArts et Métiers, for his contribution to the production of a video highlighting the key moments of this week of training and collaboration, which will be available soon.
