The Solar Inverter That Wouldn’t Sync at Noon

The live presentation of this event has already taken place.

Please view the PDF slides here or watch the video recording below:

Emeritus Professor Akhtar Kalam’s Electrifying Mysteries

This webinar series provides a structured examination of real-world engineering challenges. Each session will address specific, technically focused topics relevant to professional engineers.

Webinar details

When a solar inverter refuses to synchronize precisely when the sun is at its peak, it challenges assumptions about renewable system behavior. This webinar dissects the interaction between inverter control algorithms, grid parameters, harmonic distortion, and voltage stability that can prevent synchronization. Participants will explore how variations in grid impedance, phase angle drift, and anti-islanding protection mechanisms can complicate the integration of solar energy. Through this case, engineers gain valuable insights into troubleshooting and optimizing renewable systems within active grids.

• The webinar will be recorded and will be sent out to registered attendees afterwards.
• A certificate of attendance will be provided to attendees who request one near the end of the live webinar session.
• Please note: the time stated on this event is in UTC. You will need to convert this to your own time zone.

Key takeaways from this webinar

• Examine synchronization mechanisms and grid-interactive inverter control principles.
• Identify the influence of grid conditions, phase angle variations, and voltage harmonics on inverter synchronization.
• Develop problem-solving techniques for diagnosing inverter mis-synchronization in real installations.
• Apply lessons to improve the reliability and resilience of renewable integration in distributed networks.

Related courses

This webinar/topic relates to our school of Electrical Engineering and is particularly found in the following courses:

• Professional Certificate of Competency in Circuit Breakers, Switchgear & Power Transformers
• Professional Certificate of Competency in Battery Energy Storage and Applications
• UET60222 Advanced Diploma of ESI – Power Systems (Australia & New Zealand Only)
• Professional Certificate of Competency in Power Distribution
• Online – Bachelor of Science (Electrical Engineering)
• Online – Master of Engineering (Electrical Systems)

To learn more about tuition fees, please click here.

About the presenter

Emeritus Professor Akhtar Kalam

BSc, BScEng, MS, PhD, FIET, CEng, FAIE, FIEAust, CPEng, NER, APEC Engineer, IntPE(Aus), PEV, MCIGRE, Life Senior Member of IEEE.

Professor Akhtar Kalam is a supervisor of EIT’s Doctoral students. He has worked at Victoria University since 1984 and recently associated with the Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities. He is the Editor in Chief of Australian Journal of Electrical & Electronics Engineering. Further, he has Distinguished Professorship position in many national and international institutions. He has been recognized internationally and nationally for his research. He is regularly invited to deliver lectures, work on industrial projects, and examine external theses overseas. Professor Kalam is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Victoria (PEV), Fellow of EA, IET, AIE, a life Senior Member of IEEE, NER, APEC Engineer, IntPE (Aus) and a member of CIGRE AP B5 Study Committee.