Making Connections through Power Electronics

Straight from delivering a lecture at Southwest Jiaotong University, Professor Frede Blaabjerg sat down for an interview with Science and Technology Daily. When asked if he was tired, he smiled and said, "I seldom get tired from academic work."

It is this quiet dedication, ever present in this Danish scholar, that has defined his more than 30-year career in power electronics.

During these three decades, his research in power electronics has enabled cleaner, more efficient ways to generate, transmit and use electricity, findings that now underpin the global shift toward renewable energy. Blaabjerg was presented with the Chinese government's Friendship Award in 2025, the highest honor for foreign experts, in recognition of his sustained collaboration with Chinese institutions.

Currently, Blaabjerg is an honorary professor at Southwest Jiaotong University and a member of both the Danish Academy of Technical Sciences and the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters.

A unified mission in energy conversion

Blaabjerg described his research as centered on one core principle. "Everything I work on relates to converting electrical energy from one form to another," he said. This applies equally to large-scale solar farms feeding power into the grid and small devices like laptop chargers. "Whether you are driving an electric vehicle or charging a computer, efficient and controllable power conversion is essential," he added.

He highlighted two contributions as particularly impactful. The first began over two decades ago, when his team demonstrated that power electronics could reliably connect renewable energy sources to the grid — a concept now standard across the industry.

The second involves new design methodologies that significantly extend system lifespans and improve reliability. "We have helped establish standards for designing power electronics so that their operational lifetime can be better predicted and extended," he said.

These advances deliver real-world benefits. Blaabjerg noted that today's laptop charger is far smaller yet more powerful than those of a decade ago. "We can use fewer materials while handling greater power. This principle scales from watts to megawatts," he said.

His work also strengthens grid resilience. During brief disturbances such as voltage dips caused by faults, his control strategies ensure that wind turbines and photovoltaic systems remain connected and actively support recovery.

In the context of global decarbonization, he sees power electronics as indispensable. "Decarbonizing the energy system requires electrification powered by renewables," he said. "To achieve this, we need technologies that can efficiently generate, transmit, distribute and consume electricity. Power electronics is key to making this transition successful."

Balancing research and mentorship

Despite his extensive research record, Blaabjerg said he finds the greatest fulfillment in the success of others. "I am still excited whenever our work is recognized as transformative or meaningfully contributing to the field," he said. He added that he feels "deeply satisfied" when former PhD students and postdocs go on to build successful careers.

With time, his priorities have shifted. "My top priority now is mentoring, to ensure that the people around me enjoy their work, stay innovative, and have good conditions," he said.

In his exchanges with young scientists, Blaabjerg has often stressed that genuine interest is the foundation of meaningful work. He believes that researchers should devote themselves to topics they truly care about. While he acknowledges the necessity of diligence, he also cautions against burnout, noting that exhaustion stifles creativity. To sustain both productivity and well-being, he encourages a balanced life enriched by physical activity, travel and meaningful social connections.

A partnership built on long-term perspective

Blaabjerg's engagement with China began in 1992, when universities across the country were still laying the foundations of modern research. Today, he regards China as a nation where science and innovation have become central to its development, driven by people whose dedication is matched only by their willingness to learn and contribute.

He visits China four to six times a year to lecture at Southwest Jiaotong University, attending conferences, or meeting former students now working in academia and industries across the country.

Blaabjerg holds his Chinese colleagues and students in high regard. He noted their diligence and intellectual rigor, as well as their warmth, collaborative spirit and growing ability to situate their work within a broader global context.

In his view, China stands out as a place where opportunity meets effort, where talent is nurtured at scale and where the pursuit of knowledge is closely tied to real-world progress. This is not an impression formed overnight, but one shaped through more than three decades of quiet, consistent collaboration.

Southwest Jiaotong University contributed to this article.

Source: Science and Technology Daily