Dr. Fang Zheng Peng is a distinguished leader in power electronics and high-power converter technology with a career spanning over three decades of groundbreaking innovation. He currently serves as a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh, continuing his pioneering work in advanced power systems. Previously, he held the inaugural Distinguished Professor of Engineering position at Florida State University's Center for Advanced Power Systems from 2018, following his tenure as a University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University from 2000 to 2018. His academic journey began with an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from Wuhan University in China and advanced degrees from Nagaoka University in Japan, establishing the foundation for his transformative contributions to power electronics.
Dr. Peng's pioneering research on multilevel inverters for static synchronous compensator applications has revolutionized power grid stability and control, providing essential tools for improving power flow capability in transmission and distribution networks worldwide. His development of cascaded multilevel inverters enabled transformerless power electronics components to reach utility-scale voltage levels without traditional transformers, eliminating significant cost, power loss, and reliability issues. This breakthrough technology has been incorporated into most STATCOM installations globally and plays a critical role in integrating renewable energy sources into modern power grids. With over 400 publications in IEEE Xplore, more than 73,000 total citations, and an impressive h-index of 109, his work represents one of the most influential bodies of research in contemporary power electronics.
Recognized as a leading authority in his field, Dr. Peng has received numerous prestigious honors including election to the National Academy of Engineering and induction as a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors in 2022. His exceptional contributions were further acknowledged with the IEEE William E. Newell Power Electronics Award in 2022 for developing cascaded multilevel inverters and high-power converter topologies. As an IEEE Fellow since 2005, he has also received the IAS Gerald Kliman Award and the IAS Outstanding Achievement Award for his transformative impact on power conversion technologies. Dr. Peng continues to advance the frontiers of power electronics, mentoring the next generation of engineers while developing innovative solutions for modernizing electrical power infrastructure and supporting the global transition to sustainable energy systems.
