Challenges

A

• ABB

  • Challenge number 4

    How to estimate remaining life of permanent magnets and what characterization methods could be used?

    Topic : For heavy duty e-mobility motors there is very high demand of energy efficiency both in terms of minimizing losses and power output density. The solution is typically to use high end Neodymium-Iron- Boron permanent magnets (PM), which is embedded into the rotors of the motor. The PM’s are considered as a highly valuable material and as of today, there is a need to increase the circularity of such magnets. It would be very beneficial from a sustainability point of view if the PM’s could be re-used after first life.

    Which detrimental ageing mechanisms for PM’s should be considered and How can remaining life of permanent magnets after a service interval be assessed?

    Which type of characterization would be required to ensure performance robustness ?

  • Challenge number 5

    How to protect copper shields from high temperature and plasma by a protective coating?

    In certain ABB products, a high‑temperature plasma is generated in close proximity to a copper shield. To prevent vaporization and melting of the copper, the shield is intended to be protected with a thin coating. Ideally, the coating should have a high melting point, low vapor pressure, and a high work function. One potential solution is to apply a tungsten coating, although other materials may also be suitable. The deposition method should preferably be well‑established and capable of coating the inner surface of the copper shield, which is essentially shaped like a short tube.

H

• Hitachi Energy

  • Challenge number 2

    What are best ways of defining the mechanical properties of composite materials (Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio in different directions).

    Understanding the mechanical properties of fiber reinforced composite materials is important in designing high-voltage insulating components. In order to improve the quality of simulations, mechanical material properties are required. Their measurement can be a challenge depending on the geometry and the structure of the composite material (fiber type, orientation etc).

    Main resp.: Ivan (Co-authors Lynn Schneider, Orlando Girlanda)

  • Challenge number 3

    What are the best methods to characterize the mechanical performance of metallic/composite joints under different conditions (e.g. temperature, cyclic loads)?

    Adhesively bonded joints between fiber-reinforced polymers and metals are commonly used in industrial applications and yet their intrinsic performance is not fully understood. The mechanical performance can change under varying temperatures, cyclic loads, and gaseous environments. Reliable characterization methods are essential to assess joint integrity and guide material selection and design. This question aims to explore suitable testing approaches for such demanding conditions. Main resp.: Lynn Schneider (Co-authors: Ivan Semenov, Orlando Girlanda)

  • Challenge number 10

    How to achieve good mechanical properties on biomaterial for insulation

    We want to reuse cellulose waste from our production to create new material to blend together with fungus.

  • Challenge number 12

    7. Advanced AI for Decision Support in Future Power Systems, 9. AI-Based Control for Power Electronic Converters

    7. The increasing complexity of future power systems, driven by renewable integration, distributed energy resources, power electronics, and evolving market structures, is creating new challenges for system planning and operation. While data-driven methods and artificial intelligence have gained significant attention, many open questions remain regarding their practical application in large-scale power systems.

    Key challenges include integrating diverse data sources, supporting human decision-making under uncertainty, improving situational awareness, and ensuring that AI-based recommendations remain transparent, reliable, and aligned with physical system behavior. Research is needed to explore methodologies that combine data-driven intelligence with domain knowledge and engineering principles to enable trustworthy decision support for future power system applications.

    9. Power electronic converters are increasingly required to operate under varying operating conditions while maintaining high efficiency, stability, and power quality. We are interested in exploring how AI- and data-driven control methods can complement or improve conventional converter control techniques. Potential topics include adaptive control, real-time optimization, prediction of operating conditions, controller tuning, and improved dynamic performance. The discussion could also consider the practical implementation requirements and limitations of AI-based control in power electronic converter applications.

S

• Sandvik Coromant

  • Challenge number 6

    Optimal microscopy and colour-producing etching to visualize defects in composite materials

    Cemented carbides are composite materials made of hard phase together with softer binder phase in-between. Microstructure and different defects can strongly affect the mechanical properties of the composites. To study the effect of defects on the properties, very advanced methods like SEM and TEM microscopy are often used. These methods require very intensive and expensive sample preparation which makes it impossible to use them for massive studies of the large number of samples or quality control in production. Another drawback is a very small sample area to be studied, which could not fully represent the entire material piece.

    It is also known that LOM microscopy in combination with chemical or electrochemical etching can be used to reveal different defects in microstructure including martensite phases formation regions and dislocations. Possibility to get different colours for parent and new phases and defects could be another benefit opening possibility for advanced image analysis and Ai tools to extract and analyze additional information. Most of the found publications describe bulk metallic alloys as tested materials (steels, superalloys). Can we make such defects visible in the binder phase of cemented carbides by proper selection of etching procedures?

• Svenska kraftnät

  • Challenge number 11

    How should grid regulation and market-based mechanisms be redesigned to effectively manage grid bottlenecks, incentivize demand-side flexibility, and mobilize distributed energy resources?

    1. Congestion Income Utilization: How can congestion revenues (flaskhalsinkomster) be utilized most effectively within regulatory frameworks to support grid development and market integration?

    2. Incentivizing Flexibility: Which market mechanisms and local flexibility markets best incentivize end-users, storage providers, and industry to resolve local grid constraints?

    3. Revenue Regulation (Intäktsreglering): How should network revenue regulation be structured to encourage grid operators to invest in smart, efficiency-enhancing solutions rather than traditional capital expansion?

    4. TSO-DSO Interface: How should the interface and coordination between spot markets, balancing markets, and local grid management be organized to avoid conflicting market signals?