The Manchester Energy and Electrical Power Systems (MEEPS) Research Symposium 2025
Organised by the IEEE PES Student Branch Chapter at the University of Manchester
The 13th annual Manchester Energy and Electrical Power Systems (MEEPS) Research Symposium was held at the Manchester Engineering Campus Development on the 6th and 7th of November 2025. This annual event continues to be the largest student-run event in the IEEE PES UK and Ireland Section, hosting nearly 100 attendees across two days and garnering sponsorships from The University of Manchester’s Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, National Grid, and Weidmann Technology. The 2025 edition of MEEPS explored the theme of Energising Change: Smart Transitions for a Sustainable Future
Day 1 – Research Symposium
The MEEPS Research Symposium hosted over 50 attendees on the 6th of November for engaging discussion and research exchange. MEEPS 2025 welcomed three keynote speakers across academia and industry, setting the stage for student research presentations. Professor Alessandra Parisio (University of Manchester) delivered the opening address, introducing the university’s work and the role research must play in the evolving field of power and energy. Dr. Muhammad Ali (CEO of RenSolv and UoM alumnus) presented his keynote on the greatest challenges facing future power systems. Completing the industrial perspective, Dr. Afshin Pashei (Network Operability Specialist at National Grid) discussed the current and future challenges National Grid faces as power systems evolve.
Throughout the day, 14 postgraduates from across the UK displayed their research through six oral presentations and eight poster presentations, each highlighting a unique aspect of this year’s theme. Keynote speakers and sponsor representatives from Weidmann and National Grid served as judges for the presentation competitions, awarding the Best Oral Presentation to Sary Yehia (University of Manchester) and the Best Poster Presentation to Iraj Davood Abadi (Newcastle University).
Sponsor representatives from National Grid and Weidmann engaged in conversation with academic researchers and attendees, providing valuable opportunities for networking and idea exchange. Attendees were also given the opportunity to tour the High Voltage Lab to further experience the research work being carried out at the University of Manchester.
Day 2 – National Grid Power Systems Workshop
For the first time in its history, MEEPS was extended to a two-day format and hosted the first-ever MEEPS National Grid Power Systems Workshop. In collaboration with MEEPS Platinum Sponsor National Grid, workshop participants were presented with a real-world power systems challenge developed by experts at National Grid. The challenge provided participants with an example of the work they might undertake in industry to develop the power systems of the future.
The workshop saw 24 participants working in teams with varying degrees of expertise and academic levels to solve the challenge and present their solutions. Participants eagerly collaborated, exchanged ideas, and made valuable engineering decisions to deliver the best solution to judges from both academia and industry.
The panel of judges:
- Professor Robin Preece (University of Manchester)
- National Grid representatives:
- Marc Vincent (Head of Strategic Network Development)
- James Cooper (Network Design Technical Specialist)
- Djaved Rostom (Power Systems Development Expert)
- Afshin Pashaei (Network Operability Specialist)
Groups were judged on the feasibility, cost, and overall quality of their solutions, and members of the winning group were awarded the National Grid Award of Excellence in Engineering
MEEPS 2025 brought together professionals and students to discuss the key challenges facing power systems today. With the support of sponsors, the IEEE PES Student Branch Chapter at the University of Manchester hosted nearly 100 attendees across the two days and fostered key relationships with universities, researchers, and industry