Event

ENEE476 Renewable Energy Seminar - Reza Kheirollahi, Amperesand Company

Wednesday, November 19, 2025
5:30 p.m.-6:45 p.m.
Virtual - Open to All
Darcy Long
301 405 3114
dlong123@umd.edu

Zoom: https://umd.zoom.us/j/93841387823
Meeting ID: 938 4138 7823
Passcode: M-SEM

Speaker: Reza Kheirollahi, Power Electronics Engineer, Amperesand Company

Talk Title: Solid-State Transformers: The Next Step in Power Conversion

Abstract: Traditional transformers have powered our grids for more than a century, but as renewable energy, electric vehicles, and smart grids evolve, a new class of devices, solid-state transformers (SSTs) is emerging. SSTs combine power electronics and high-frequency magnetics to achieve compact size, controllability, and bidirectional power flow. This talk introduces the motivation, history, and development of SSTs in a way accessible to students with basic electrical engineering knowledge. We’ll explore where and why they are used, such as EV fast chargers, renewable energy systems, and modern power grids, and review their general structure and control principles without heavy math.

Bio: Dr. Reza Kheirollahi is a Power Electronics Engineer at Amperesand Company, specializing in the design and control of advanced power conversion systems spanning low- to medium-voltage applications. His work encompasses solid-state transformers, solid-state circuit breakers, and renewable energy integration, with a strong focus on high-performance, grid-interactive, and sustainable power architectures. After earning his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Drexel University in 2023, Dr. Kheirollahi joined Tesla, where he contributed to the development of vehicle-to-home systems and next-generation Supercharger technologies. He later joined Amperesand Company, where he leads efforts in power electronics control for solid-state transformer development.