MESSAGE FROM THE CONFERENCE CHAIR

WELCOME TO EPE’19 ECCE – EUROPE

I am proud to invite you to the 21st European Conference on Power Electronics and Applications, which will take place in Genova, Italy, between 2 and 6 September 2019, an event which has been missing from Italy since 1991, when it was held in Florence.

When I had to present such an event to people from other fields, I simply stated that Power Electronics is a key technology, synonymous with sustainable development and it is only thanks to its use that the ever-increasing global need for energy can be fully satisfied. Just as an example, among the many possible, this technology allows the capture of renewable energy such as wind and solar energy, it will be one of the keys to obtaining clean energy from nuclear fusion and will allow the development of the electric mobility of the future. These are simple words for those who are of this field, but they are not for this reason less true: this is one of the rare cases where development and growth are completely compatible with protecting the environment.

Power electronics, electrical drives and machines, electrical power systems in general are key technologies that will enable the transformation of the world in an environmentally friendly way, and I invite you to attend to present and discuss the latest achievements in these fields. A wide spectrum of topics will be addressed during EPE’19 ECCE Europe, which is the largest European conference on power electronics. A large and growing exhibition with producers, suppliers and software developers is also planned, which will allow for enhanced exchanges between academia and industry.

Researchers, application engineers and experts from academia and industry will meet to discuss and exchange ideas on how to manage renewable energies, smart grids, energy storage systems, power electronics in mechatronic systems, industrial robotics, electric mobility and ultrafast vehicle charging stations, just to cite some of the most important topics. Not to forget special Industrial Forum dedicated to new wide bandgap devices and to marine applications.

Genova (from the Latin “Ianua”), is a portal between land and sea, a crossroads of cultures and people since ancient times. Located on the Gulf of Genova in the Ligurian Sea, Genova is the capital of the Italian region of Liguria and has historically been one of the most important ports of the Mediterranean Sea.

Genova has been nicknamed la Superba (« the proud one ») due to its glorious past and impressive landmarks. Part of the old town of Genova was inscribed on the World Heritage List (UNESCO) in 2006 as Genova: Le Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei Rolli. The city’s rich cultural history in art, music and cuisine allowed it to become the 2004 European Capital of Culture.

The conference is organized in collaboration with the University of Genova. The hosting conference centre is located in the “Porto Antico”, the ancient port, which has been recently renovated by the famous Genoese architect Renzo Piano, which is located in the heart of the city and will allow you to enter in intimate contact with the Genoese spirit.  Gala dinner will take place in the Meridiana Palace, which is an ancient building located in the historic centre, near Via Garibaldi, which the Genoese once called the Strada Nuova (New Road) or Strada Aurea (Golden Road), where you’ll find the beautiful palaces of Genoa’s noble families.  I also invite you to attend the tutorials, held at the recently renovated “Albergo dei Poveri” of the University of Genova.

Genova also has an impressive industrial past, brands like Ansaldo and Piaggio are natives of this city, but even today there are a number of companies operating in the fields of power electronics and of the electrical drives, most of which will be present both at the exhibition and at the conference.

Finally, I would like to point out that, if you want to extend your stay by allowing yourself a few days of vacation, the beginning of September is still summer and you will find in Genova a very favorable climate that will allow you to dive into the sea or sunbathe, but also benefit from free equipped beaches or beach resorts.

Sure you will enjoy your stay in Genova and in Liguria, I’m very pleased to welcome you!

Mario Marchesoni
Conference General Chairman