Milestone-Proposal:Active Harmonic Filters, 1986

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Docket #:2025-16

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To the proposer’s knowledge, is this achievement subject to litigation? No

Is the achievement you are proposing more than 25 years old? Yes

Is the achievement you are proposing within IEEE’s designated fields as defined by IEEE Bylaw I-104.11, namely: Engineering, Computer Sciences and Information Technology, Physical Sciences, Biological and Medical Sciences, Mathematics, Technical Communications, Education, Management, and Law and Policy. Yes

Did the achievement provide a meaningful benefit for humanity? Yes

Was it of at least regional importance? Yes

Has an IEEE Organizational Unit agreed to pay for the milestone plaque(s)? Yes

Has the IEEE Section(s) in which the plaque(s) will be located agreed to arrange the dedication ceremony? Yes

Has the IEEE Section in which the milestone is located agreed to take responsibility for the plaque after it is dedicated? Yes

Has the owner of the site agreed to have it designated as an IEEE Milestone? Yes


Year or range of years in which the achievement occurred:

1986

Title of the proposed milestone:

Active Harmonic Filters based on Instantaneous-Powers Theory, 1986

Plaque citation summarizing the achievement and its significance; if personal name(s) are included, such name(s) must follow the achievement itself in the citation wording: Text absolutely limited by plaque dimensions to 70 words; 60 is preferable for aesthetic reasons.

Active harmonic filters, using instantaneous-powers theory, transformed the control and design of three-phase grid-tied electronic systems in 1986. The theory introduced by Hirofumi Akagi in 1984 brought real-time compensation under dynamic, non-sinusoidal conditions to the electronic systems for power conditioning. It laid the foundation of active harmonic filters, voltage regulation devices, and smart grids, enhancing energy efficiency, grid stability, and renewable integration while shaping power electronics and electrical engineering worldwide.

200-250 word abstract describing the significance of the technical achievement being proposed, the person(s) involved, historical context, humanitarian and social impact, as well as any possible controversies the advocate might need to review.

Active power consumes electric power in alternating-current circuits, whereas reactive power does not. University professors in the department of electrical and electronic engineering around the world taught students a pair of active and reactive powers in single-phase circuits under the assumptions of sinusoidal voltage and current waveforms in steady-state conditions, and then expanded it to three-phase circuits. All the existing theories of the instantaneous reactive power based on single-phase circuits, required information on past voltage and current. This automatically rendered it inaccurate because the use of information in the past resulted in being no longer “instantaneous.” In the 1970s, power electronic experts around the world challenged to solve this problem, but no one succeeded in establishing any convincing theory.

Hirofumi Akagi, thinking in reverse, began to define a pair of instantaneous powers in three-phase circuits, and gave a mathematical proof of their physical meanings in May 1986. Both definition and physical meaning were consistent with speculation, which prompted experts to accept it as valid. Currently, Akagi’s theory is often called the “p-q theory,” amongst the experts in the world because it is characterized by a clear and unique definition of a pair of instantaneous powers, p and q, in three-phase systems. As soon as Dr. Akagi established the p-q theory, he applied it to the control and design of a reactive-power compensator consisting of semiconductor switching devices without any bulky energy storage component such as inductors or capacitors. He verified innovative operating characteristics that had until then been impossible to obtain through the application of the conventional reactive-power theory in single-phase circuits. He presented the world's first paper on the p-q theory at an international conference held in Tokyo in April 1983, followed by an IEEE Transactions paper published in May 1984 after a strict paper review process. Since then, the p-q theory has been considered as a fundamental theory in three-phase circuits, even in electrical and electronic engineering. The total citations of the conference paper in 1983 and the IEEE Transactions paper in 1984 reached more than 63,00 times, increasing over 37 years after the two papers were first presented and published.

The Instantaneous Powers Theory, also known as the “p-q Theory,” proposed by Hirofumi Akagi in the mid-1980s, represents a landmark advancement in electrical engineering. Unlike conventional power theory which started with single-phase systems, and expanding it into three-phase circuits that relied on steady-state and sinusoidal assumptions, Akagi’s theory enabled the definition and control of power flow using instantaneous voltage and current in three-phase systems. This innovation allowed real-time analysis of dynamic, distorted, and unbalanced conditions, addressing rising power quality issues caused by nonlinear loads and power electronic devices.

The theory’s practical implementation includes the control and design of active filters, and static compensators for power conditioning, and Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) for improving system stability and energy efficiency in power grid operations. It became fundamental to smart grid technologies and the integration of renewable energy sources. Furthermore, the p-q Theory’s mathematical elegance and practical applicability influenced countless academic studies, technical standards, and educational curricula worldwide.

The historical impact of the theory was immediate and far-reaching. Recognized internationally through its 1984 publication in an IEEE journal, the theory prompted new lines of research and innovation in power electronics. Decades later, it remains a cornerstone of modern power system control. Its contributions continue to shape sustainable energy systems and inspire technological advancement, making it a worthy candidate for IEEE Milestone recognition.

IEEE technical societies and technical councils within whose fields of interest the Milestone proposal resides.

IEEE Power Electronics Society

In what IEEE section(s) does it reside?

IEEE Shinetsu Section

IEEE Organizational Unit(s) which have agreed to sponsor the Milestone:

IEEE Organizational Unit(s) paying for milestone plaque(s):

Unit: IEEE Shinetsu Section
Senior Officer Name: Hiroki Yamada

IEEE Organizational Unit(s) arranging the dedication ceremony:

Unit: IEEE Shinetsu Section
Senior Officer Name: Hiroki Yamada

IEEE section(s) monitoring the plaque(s):

IEEE Section: IEEE Shinetsu Section
IEEE Section Chair name: Hiroki Yamada

Milestone proposer(s):

Proposer name: Chiaki Ishikawa
Proposer email: Proposer's email masked to public

Proposer name: Nobuko Abe
Proposer email: Proposer's email masked to public

Please note: your email address and contact information will be masked on the website for privacy reasons. Only IEEE History Center Staff will be able to view the email address.

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Describe briefly the intended site(s) of the milestone plaque(s). The intended site(s) must have a direct connection with the achievement (e.g. where developed, invented, tested, demonstrated, installed, or operated, etc.). A museum where a device or example of the technology is displayed, or the university where the inventor studied, are not, in themselves, sufficient connection for a milestone plaque.

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What is the historical significance of the work (its technological, scientific, or social importance)? If personal names are included in citation, include detailed support at the end of this section preceded by "Justification for Inclusion of Name(s)". (see section 6 of Milestone Guidelines)

Justification of Name-in-Citation: Professor Hirofumi Akagi

Introduction

This justification document is provided to support the inclusion of the name "Hirofumi Akagi" in the official citation of the proposed IEEE Milestone commemorating the development of the Instantaneous Powers or p-q Theory and its applications to control and design in three-phase power conversion systems. This theory, formulated and published in the mid-1980s by Hirofumi Akagi, has not only changed the theoretical understanding of power flow in three-phase systems but also revolutionized real-time power control in modern electrical networks. The inclusion of Akagi’s name in the citation is both justified and essential, as the success and impact of this achievement are inseparably tied to his individual contributions.

Originality of Contribution

Professor Hirofumi Akagi is the sole originator of the Instantaneous Powers Theory, also known as the “p-q Theory.” Prior to his work, the analysis and control of reactive power relied heavily on sinusoidal, steady-state assumptions. Traditional power theories—developed by Steinmetz, Budeanu, and Fryze—were inadequate in addressing non-linear, non-stationary, or unbalanced conditions, which were becoming increasingly prevalent due to the widespread use of power electronic devices.

Akagi’s fundamental insight was to define active and reactive power using three-phase instantaneous voltage and current vectors in the time domain. This shift from average to instantaneous analysis enabled engineers and researchers to accurately quantify and compensate reactive power under dynamic, real-world conditions. No prior theory had achieved this level of applicability, mathematical rigor, and physical interpretability.

Academic and Technical Impact

The theoretical foundation laid by Hirofumi Akagi has profoundly influenced academic research. His original IEEE Transactions paper, published in 1984 in IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, is one of the most cited papers in the field of the power electronics. The p-q Theory has been incorporated into power electronics curricula worldwide and serves as a foundational topic in university-level textbooks, conference tutorials, and technical training programs.

Numerous international research groups have extended Akagi’s theory to various domains, including:

-Multi-phase and hybrid systems
-Renewable energy integration
-Digital signal processing applications in power control
-Model predictive and adaptive control methods

Many of these advancements retain the core concepts of the original p-q Theory, further attesting to its versatility and enduring value.

Industrial and Societal Relevance

Beyond academia, Professor Akagi’s theory has been implemented in numerous industrial applications. His work enabled the development and practical realization of:

-Active Harmonic Filters
-Static Compensators
-Custom Power Devices
-Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) Devices

These technologies have been widely deployed across utility grids, transportation systems (e.g., electric trains and subways), and large-scale industrial facilities. They have improved power quality, reduced harmonic distortion, and enabled more stable and efficient operation of electric systems.

In the context of societal impact, Akagi’s work supports key aspects of the modern energy transition, including:

-Integration of renewable energy sources into power grids
-Decentralized power generation and smart grid control
-Reduction of transmission losses and improvement of energy efficiency

His contribution is directly aligned with global goals of sustainability, energy security, and grid modernization.

Leadership and Recognition

Professor Akagi is recognized globally as one of the most influential figures in power electronics and power systems engineering. His honors and awards reflect the originality, depth, and influence of his work. Notably, he has received the following distinctions:

-IEEE Fellow (1996), and IEEE Life Fellow (2004)
-IEEE William E. Newell Power Electronics Award (2001)
-IEEE Medal in Power Engineering (2018)
-IEEE Power Electronics Society President (2007-2008)
-IEEE Division II Director (2015-2016)
-International member of the United States National Academy of Engineering (2025) with the following citations: “contributions to the theory, design, and application of utility high-power electronic systems.”

He has also served as a keynote speaker, plenary lecturer, and technical committee chair in numerous IEEE and international conferences. His mentorship of students and young researchers has led to a new generation of engineers continuing to build upon his work.

Uniqueness of Individual Contribution

Unlike many technological achievements that result from collaborative or corporate research, the development of the Instantaneous Power Theory can be clearly attributed to Professor Akagi’s individual insight and research. His original paper from 1984 bears his sole authorship and contains the complete theoretical framework that has since been globally adopted.

While subsequent researchers have contributed to refinements and applications, the core theory remains unchanged—a testament to the strength and clarity of his original work. The p-q Theory did not emerge from a consortium, a research group, or an industry-academia partnership; it was the direct product of Akagi’s independent and visionary research.

Conclusion

Including the name of Professor Hirofumi Akagi in the citation of this IEEE Milestone is fully justified based on the originality, singular authorship, and global influence of his work. His Instantaneous Reactive Power Theory remains a cornerstone of modern power engineering, both theoretically and practically. The theory’s enduring relevance in the age of smart grids and sustainable energy underscores Akagi’s visionary role in shaping the future of electrical systems. Recognition through name inclusion honors not just an individual but the transformative impact of ideas that continue to power the world.


Historical Significance

Overview of the Instantaneous Reactive Power Theory and Its Invention

In the mid-1980s, Professor Hirofumi Akagi of Nagaoka University of Technology proposed a groundbreaking theory known as the Instantaneous Reactive Power Theory (commonly referred to as the p-q Theory). This theory fundamentally changed the way electric power is understood and controlled in three-phase power systems.

Conventional reactive power theories relied on the averaging of voltage and current over time, assuming steady-state and sinusoidal conditions. These approaches were based primarily on single-phase systems and were inadequate in addressing the transient and unbalanced conditions increasingly seen with the spread of power electronic devices. In contrast, Akagi's theory introduced a novel approach: defining reactive power based on the instantaneous values of voltages and currents in a three-phase system. This enabled real-time analysis and control of power flow, even in the presence of non-sinusoidal and unbalanced loads.

Applications: Three-Phase Power Conversion and Control Systems

Professor Akagi's theory was not just of academic interest—it was directly applicable to real-world control and design of power electronic systems. Specifically, it became the foundation for real-time compensation of reactive power and power quality improvement in three-phase systems using inverters and converters.

The theory was implemented in control and design of active harmonic filters, static synchronous compensators (STATCOMs), and other Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) devices. These applications contributed to the stability and efficiency of electric power grids and found widespread use in industrial power supplies, railways, and distributed generation systems. The practical applicability and versatility of the theory led to numerous commercial and industrial deployments worldwide.

Technological, Scientific, and Social Significance

Technological Significance

Akagi’s theory opened a new category of power control known as instantaneous power theory. It enabled dynamic control in systems with non-linear and unbalanced loads—capabilities not possible with prior reactive power theories. This transformed control strategies in power electronics and contributed to their widespread adoption.

Scientific Significance

The theory linked vector mathematics, particularly Clarke and Park transformations, with power system analysis, forming a new foundation in electrical engineering. It has been highly cited in academic literature and continues to influence research in power systems and electronics.

Social Significance

The widespread use of technologies based on this theory has led to improved energy efficiency, reduced transmission losses, and better integration of renewable energy sources. These outcomes directly support the development of a more sustainable and resilient energy infrastructure. The theory also plays a foundational role in modern smart grids and continues to influence global energy policy and system design.

Historical Impact and Lasting Influence

At the time of its publication in the 1984 IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, the theory attracted worldwide attention. Researchers and engineers from Europe, North America, and Asia began applying and extending the theory. Over the following decades, it became embedded in technical standards and textbooks, becoming a cornerstone of education in power electronics and electrical engineering.

Its influence endures today, with applications in smart grids, renewable integration, and energy-efficient industrial control systems. The theory’s dual impact—both at its inception and through its continued relevance—demonstrates its lasting historical significance.

What obstacles (technical, political, geographic) needed to be overcome?

Challenges and Solutions

Technical Challenges

During the 1980s, global industry faced a rise in power quality issues due to the proliferation of nonlinear loads and power electronic devices. Harmonic distortion, voltage fluctuations, and unbalanced loads became increasingly problematic, causing instability in power systems.

Conventional reactive power theories, designed for steady-state sinusoidal conditions, could not address these new dynamic phenomena. Akagi’s theory provided a solution by enabling real-time computation and control of power flow using instantaneous values—meeting the demands of evolving electrical networks.

Political Challenges

Japan, like many industrialized nations during the 1980s, was undergoing a transformation toward high-efficiency manufacturing and energy-savings technologies. Stable and efficient power systems were a national priority, and energy policies strongly supported innovation in this field.

Akagi’s theory emerged as a timely response to these political and societal needs. It offered a theoretical foundation for controlling and optimizing power systems under the pressures of growing demand and increasing complexity, and it aligned well with policy goals regarding energy security and sustainability.

Geographical Challenges

Japan’s geography—with long, narrow islands and dispersed power generation and consumption centers—posed unique challenges for power transmission and distribution. Reactive power compensation over long distances was difficult using traditional methods.

The instantaneous reactive power theory allowed for localized and dynamic power control, overcoming geographical constraints. This enabled more efficient and reliable power delivery across distributed systems and made it easier to integrate renewable energy and distributed generation.

What features set this work apart from similar achievements?

What features set this work apart from similar achievements?

Characteristics of the Instantaneous-Powers Theory

The Instantaneous Reactive Power Theory, developed by Professor Hirofumi Akagi in the mid-1980s, stands apart from similar achievements in power system engineering due to its conceptual originality, broad applicability, and long-lasting global impact.

Most notably, this theory introduced a paradigm shift by defining reactive power in the time domain using instantaneous voltage and current in three-phase circuits. At the time, existing theories of reactive power—based on sinusoidal steady-state assumptions and root-mean-square values—were fundamentally limited. They could not describe power flow accurately under non-sinusoidal or unbalanced conditions, which had become increasingly common due to the proliferation of power electronic equipment and nonlinear loads.

Akagi’s theory overcame these limitations by providing a mathematically rigorous and physically meaningful framework for real-time power analysis. This enabled the dynamic control of active and reactive power, even in highly distorted and transient environments, which was unachievable with prior approaches. The resulting p-q Theory became the foundation for modern power conditioning technologies such as active power filters and static compensators, and was directly applicable to the control of voltage, harmonics, and reactive currents.

What further distinguishes this work is its wide-ranging impact across both academic and industrial sectors. Since its first publication in 1984 in an IEEE journal, the theory has been cited extensively and adopted internationally. It has influenced technical standards, informed power engineering education worldwide, and led to the practical implementation of advanced control systems in utility grids, transportation networks, and renewable energy integration.

Unlike other theories developed around the same time—which often addressed narrow technical problems—the p-q Theory provided a unified and scalable solution to the broader challenge of power quality and system stability. It also proved to be flexible: adaptable to different system configurations, including single-phase, three-phase, and multi-phase systems, and expandable through later research that incorporated energy storage, digital signal processing, and smart grid applications.

Finally, the theory’s robustness and durability are exceptional. More than 40 years after its inception, it remains relevant and continues to support innovations in next-generation electrical infrastructure. Its enduring influence, combined with its foundational role in both theoretical advancement and real-world engineering, makes it a singular achievement in the history of electrical power systems.

Comparison with Other Methods

Professor Akagi’s theory marked a significant departure from conventional reactive power concepts, particularly those developed by Steinmetz and others in the early to mid-20th century. While traditional theories relied on steady-state analysis and assumed sinusoidal waveforms, the p-q theory was formulated in the time domain, using instantaneous voltage and current vectors to define active and reactive power.

This fundamental shift enabled the analysis and control of power flow in transient, unbalanced, and distorted conditions—something that traditional methods could not achieve. Moreover, while conventional theories lacked a clear strategy for non-linear and non-stationary systems, Akagi’s theory provided a practical framework for real-time control in such environments.

Unlike earlier approaches, the p-q theory supported a wide range of applications, including harmonic compensation, voltage regulation, and active filtering. It also proved essential in modern developments such as smart grids and renewable energy systems, demonstrating its flexibility and scalability. Its real-time capabilities and mathematical rigor made it not only a technological advancement but also a scientific milestone in electrical engineering.

Why was the achievement successful and impactful?

Why the achievement was successful and impactful?

The achievement of active harmonic filters, based on Hirofumi Akagi's instantaneous power theory (p-q theory), was both successful and impactful for several reasons:

Theoretical Innovation and Practical Application

In 1986, Akagi introduced the p-q theory, a novel approach to analyzing and compensating harmonic and reactive power in three-phase systems. Unlike previous theories that relied on past voltage and current information, the p-q theory utilized real-time data, enabling instantaneous compensation. This theoretical advancement laid the groundwork for the development of active harmonic filters, marking a significant departure from traditional passive filtering methods.

Industrial and Global Adoption

The practical application of Akagi's theory led to the creation of active harmonic filters that could dynamically compensate for harmonics and reactive power in real-time. These filters were successfully implemented in various industrial settings, demonstrating their effectiveness in improving power quality. The adoption of this technology extended beyond Japan, influencing global standards and practices in power electronics and electrical engineering.

Alignment with Global Standards and Environmental Goals

The introduction of active harmonic filters coincided with increasing global awareness of power quality issues and environmental concerns. By mitigating harmonics and improving power efficiency, these filters contributed to the reduction of energy losses and the enhancement of grid stability. Their implementation supported compliance with international standards such as IEEE 519 and IEC 61000, which set limits on harmonic distortion in electrical systems.

Lasting Legacy and Ongoing Impact

The principles established by Akagi's p-q theory continue to underpin modern power electronic systems, including smart grids and renewable energy integration. The ongoing research and development in active power filtering technologies attest to the enduring relevance and impact of this achievement. The widespread use of active harmonic filters has become a standard practice in the industry, reflecting their success and the lasting influence of Akagi's work.

In summary, the development and implementation of active harmonic filters based on the p-q theory were successful due to their theoretical innovation, practical applicability, alignment with global standards, and lasting impact on the field of power electronics. This achievement has significantly advanced the understanding and management of power quality issues, benefiting both industry and society at large.

Supporting texts and citations to establish the dates, location, and importance of the achievement: Minimum of five (5), but as many as needed to support the milestone, such as patents, contemporary newspaper articles, journal articles, or chapters in scholarly books. 'Scholarly' is defined as peer-reviewed, with references, and published. You must supply the texts or excerpts themselves, not just the references. At least one of the references must be from a scholarly book or journal article. All supporting materials must be in English, or accompanied by an English translation.

Bibliography

References

[1] H. Akagi, Y. Kanazawa, and A. Nabae, “Generalized theory of the instantaneous reactive power in three-phase circuits,” Proceedings of IEE of Japan International Power Electronics Conference (IPEC-Tokyo), March 1983, pp. 1375-1386. (1650 citations)

[2] H. Akagi, Y. Kanazawa, and A. Nabae, “Instantaneous reactive power compensators comprising switching devices without energy storage components,” IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, vol. 20, no. 3, pp. 625-630, May/June, 1984. (4877 citations)

[3] H. Akagi, A. Nabae, and S. Atoh, “Control strategy of active power filters using multiple voltage-source PWM converters,” IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 460-465, May/June, 1986. (1023 citations)

[4] H. Akagi, E. H. Watanabe, and M. Aredes, “Instantaneous power theory and applications to power conditioning,” IEEE Press, 400 pages, 2007 (first edition), and 472 pages, 2017 (second edition). (3580 citations in total)

[5] H. Akagi, “New trends in active filters for power conditioning,” IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, vol. 32, no. 6, pp. 1312-1322, Nov./Dec. 1996. (2694 citations)

[6] H. Akagi, “Active harmonic filters (invited paper),” Proceedings of the IEEE, vol. 93, no. 12, pp. 2128-2141, Dec. 2005. (1406 citations)

[7] A. Iizuka, M. Kishida, Y. Mochinaga, T. Uzuki, K. Hirakawa, F. Aoyama, and T. Masuyama, “Self-commutated static var generator at Shintakatsuka substation,” Proceedings of IEEJ International Power Electronics Conference (IPEC-Yokohama), April 1995, pp. 609-614.

[8] F. Harashima, H. Inaba, and K. Tsuboi, “A closed-loop control system for the reduction of reactive power required by electronic converters,” IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics and Control Instrumentation, vol. 23, no. 2, pp. 162-166, May 1976.

[9] K. Srinivasan and C. T. Nguyen, “Instantaneous three-phase reactive power for digital Implementation: Definition and determination,” Proceedings of the IEEE, vol. 66, no. 8, pp. 986-987, Aug. 1978.

[10] L. Gyugyi, “Reactive power generation and control by thyristor circuits,” IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, vol. 15, no. 5, pp. 521-532, Spt./Oct., 1979.

[11] I. Takahashi and A. Nabae, “Universal power distortion compensator of line commutated thyristor converter,” Proceedings of IEEE Industry Applications Society Annual Meeting, Oct. 1980, pp. 858-863.

[12] S. Miyairi, H. Akagi, T. Fukao, and M. Fujita, “Equivalence in harmonics between cycloconverters and bridge converters,” IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 92-99, Jan/Feb, 1979.

[13] A. Ferrero and G. Superti-Furga, “A new approach to the definition of power components in three- phase systems under non-sinusoidal conditions,” IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, vol. 40, no. 3, pp. 568-577, June 1991.

[14] J. L. Willems, “A new interpretation of the Akagi-Nabae power components for non- sinusoidal three-phase situations,” IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, vol. 41, no. 4, pp. 523-527, Aug. 1992.

Awards

[1] William E. Newell Power Electronics Award - IEEE Power Electronics Society
2001 Hirofumi Akagi

[2] Outstanding Achievement Award - IEEE Industry Applications Society
2004 Hirofumi Akagi

[3] IEEE Richard Harold Kaufmann Award - IEEE Industry Applications Society 2008 Hirofumi Akagi

[4] 2008 IEEE Medal in Power Engineering Recipients
https://corporate-awards.ieee.org/wp-content/uploads/pwr-engrg-rl.pdf
Election citation: For pioneering contributions to theory and practice of power conversion systems and their applications.

[5] International member of the United States National Academy of Engineering
2025 NAE Website - Dr. Hirofumi Akagi
Election citation: For contributions to the theory, design, and application of utility high-power electronic systems.

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