The Chinese International Conference on Electricity Distribution (CICED 2018) was held in Tianjin from September 17 to 19.The Theme of CICED 2018 was “Smart Distribution and Low-carbon Life”. The conference covered areas related to electricity distribution, such as distribution equipment and asset management, planning and design, operation and control, protection and communication power quality and power supply reliability, renewable energy integration, AC/DC distribution, power market and use of electricity and other various interesting topics.

CICED is sponsored by Chinese National Committee of CIRED every two years in different venues in China with a worldwide perspective and participation. It is one of the biggest events and the most attended conference in China focusing on electricity distribution.

The CICED 2018 brought together over 600 engineers, academicians, managers and regulators specialized in distribution grid from 20 countries including China, Canada, Germany, France, Denmark, the U.S. and the U.K. to exchange ideas, discuss problems and share experience and success stories.

Professor Wang Chengshan, Dean of School of Electrical and Information Engineering at Tianjin University and Fan Jianbin, Deputy Secretary General of the Chinese Society of Electrical Engineering hosted the session of themed reports, and 11 famous experts from home and abroad gave excellent reports. Ned Djilali, Professor of Victoria University, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, reported on the prospects of the combination of renewable energy and electrical cars and challenges as well as needs in the future. Bernhard Thies, Chairman of European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization, began his report with the topic of standardization of power grid and data conversion and developed the main theme of the strategic plan for digital transformation made by the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization. Zhang Xuehong, Deputy Director of the Maintenance and Inspection Department of the State Grid Corporation, shared his company’s exploration and practices from the perspective of the meaning of intelligent electricity distribution grid, top-level design structure, research on crucial techniques and technical expectations. Raymond Lings, President and CEO of the Canadian Powertech Labs, analyzed the scientific opportunities and challenges electric companies are faced with in the modern age. Bernard Hourtane, Program Director of the EDF,  discussed the important leverage functions of power grids in improving the development of low-carbon applications. Wang Boyong, Deputy Chief Engineer of Guangzhou Power Supply Co. Ltd., China Southern Power Grid, shared the digital transition exploration and practice of the Guangzhou Power Grid. Professor Chen Zhe of Aalborg University, Denmark focused on the energy grid based on renewable resources. Guo Xin, General Manager of the Energy Department of the German BTC Business Technology Consulting Company introduced the historical development and future tends of Germany’s comprehensive energy system.

During the Conference, 6 technical seminars were held on different topics and 37 professors and scholars from home and abroad engaged in the electricity distribution techniques and management communicated and interacted on different themes. The Conference also established paper communication. 63 papers were reported and 401 papers were posted up in the meeting place.

At the same time, the Exhibition of Chinese Power Supply Technology and Equipment was held. Many famous companies including NARI Group Corporation, NR Electric Co., Ltd., and CHINT Group Co. Ltd., showed the latest technological achievements and related equipment in the electricity distribution field.

Throughout the Conference, about 50 student volunteers from the School of Electrical and Information Engineering at Tianjin University took part in the organizing work.