Guest Lecture on Recent Trends in Electric Drives on 25th August 2026 at the EEE Seminar Hall

RECENT TRENDS IN ELECTRIC DRIVES

The Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Sri Venkateshwaraa College of Engineering & Technology, organized a Guest Lecture on “Recent Trends in Electric Drives” on 25th August 2026, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the EEE Seminar Hall.

The programme was organized to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the latest developments in electrical drive technology, modern motor-control techniques, multiphase systems, energy-efficient drives, and industrial applications. The session also provided an opportunity for students to interact with an academic expert and clarify their technical queries.

The resource person for the programme was Dr. G. Renuka Devi, Associate Professor, School of Engineering, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

The programme commenced with the gathering of the Principal - Dr. S. Pradeep Devaneyan, Vice Principal - Dr. K. B. Jayarraman, Dean Academics- Dr. B. Balaji, Head of the Department - Dr. R. Venkedesh, faculty members Mr. L. Selvakumar ,Mr. M. Murali, Mrs. S. Punitha, Mr. C. Sandou Louis Kichor  & Mr. R. Bharathan  and students of the Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering.

The starting session was led in the presence of Principal Dr. S. Pradeep Devaneyan, Vice Principal Dr. K. B. Jayarraman, Dean Academics Dr. B. Balaji and HOD-EEE Dr. R. Venkedesh, along with the faculty members.

The dignitaries welcomed the resource person, Dr. G. Renuka Devi, and highlighted the importance of conducting expert lectures that bridge the gap between classroom learning, emerging technologies and industrial requirements.

The HOD of EEE Dr. R. Venkedesh introduced the theme of the lecture and explained the relevance of recent developments in electrical drives to undergraduate engineering students.

The resource person introduced the concept of electrical drives and explained their significance in modern electrical and industrial systems. An electrical drive is a system used to control the speed, torque, direction and operating characteristics of an electric motor according to the requirements of a particular application. Electrical drives are widely used wherever controlled mechanical motion is required.

The major components of an electrical drive system were explained during the lecture. The electrical supply provides the required energy to operate the drive. Depending on the application, the supply may be single-phase or three-phase AC, or DC. The power modulator controls the electrical power supplied to the motor. Modern drives use power electronic devices such as: The motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. Motors commonly used in drives include The controller generates appropriate control signals for the power converter. Electrical drives are a key technology in electric and hybrid vehicles. High-efficiency motors, advanced inverters, battery management and regenerative braking are important areas of development.

Multiphase drives are gaining importance for high-power and high-reliability applications. They provide additional degrees of freedom for control and can continue operating with reduced performance even when a phase experiences a fault. Multiphase systems are particularly attractive for high-power and high-reliability applications because the power and current can be distributed among a larger number of phases.

The resource person explained that multiphase drives are an active area of research because they can provide enhanced performance and reliability compared with conventional three-phase drives in selected applications.

Applications of Electrical Drives - The resource person explained that electrical drives have applications across almost every modern industrial sector.

Drives and motor-generator systems are used in - Wind-energy conversion systems ,Solar-powered pumping systems ,Energy-storage applications, Domestic Applications ,Washing machines ,Refrigerators Air-conditioning systems,..

Interaction with Students and Question–Answer Session - An interactive question-and-answer session was conducted following the technical presentation.

The resource person responded to the questions with practical explanations and application-oriented examples. The interaction helped students connect theoretical concepts studied in subjects such as Electrical Machines, Power Electronics, Control Systems and Electric Drives with current technological developments.

Conclusion

The Guest Lecture on “Recent Trends in Electric Drives” was an informative and technically enriching programme organized by the Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering.

The interactive question-and-answer session further strengthened the learning experience by allowing students to clarify their doubts directly with the resource person. The programme also encouraged students to explore innovative projects and research opportunities in emerging areas of electrical engineering.

The department of EEE expresses its sincere gratitude to Principal Dr. S. Pradeep Devaneyan, Vice Principal Dr. K. B. Jayarraman, Dean Academics Dr. B. Balaji, HOD-EEE Dr. R. Venkedesh, the faculty members, and the resource person Dr. G. Renuka Devi for their valuable support and contribution towards the successful conduct of the programme.