EP.282 Daniel Gerber on Power Electronics and the Future of Grid Stability

17 snips

Mar 24, 2026

Daniel Gerber, Global Business Line Manager for Renewable Power and Motion High Power at ABB with nearly two decades in R&D and operations, discusses how inverter-based renewables reshape grid stability. He covers grid-forming inverters and synchronous condensers, the rising stress from data centres and electrification, and the growing importance of digital simulation and grid twins for planning.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

Daniel's Career From Shop Floor To Renewables Lead

Daniel describes his career path from shop floor, R&D, operations and global service to leading ABB's renewables business.
His cross-functional experience shapes focus on tech, operations and sales when developing customer solutions.

INSIGHT

Why Renewables Change Grid Dynamics

Grids historically relied on large synchronous generators to maintain frequency and stability.
Increasing decentralized, inverter-connected solar and wind change fault behavior because they don't naturally produce 50/60 Hz synchronous power.

INSIGHT

Power Electronics Can Stabilize The Grid

Power electronics are not only a cause of instability but can become part of the solution through grid-forming inverters and other devices.
Options include synchronous condensers, flywheels, grid-forming inverters and batteries with advanced control software.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

This week on Energy Unplugged, Reece Jackson, Senior Product Manager - Grid, Aurora, is joined by Daniel Gerber, Global Business Line Manager for Renewable Power and Motion High Power at ABB. Together, they explore how rising renewable penetration, electrification, and new demand sources are reshaping grid stability - and the critical role power electronics will play in maintaining reliable power systems.

Daniel leads ABB’s renewables-focused power electronics business and brings nearly two decades of experience spanning R&D, operations, and global service management. Drawing on ABB’s work across international markets, he shares how inverter-based resources, once seen as a source of instability, are increasingly becoming part of the solution - enabled by advances in grid-forming technologies, control systems, and digital simulation tools.

The conversation examines the technical and structural challenges facing modern grids: the shift from centralized generation to distributed, inverter-based systems; the growing impact of data centres, AI, and electrification on demand patterns; and the increasing frequency of system disturbances. Daniel outlines how a combination of improved hardware, software-based simulation, and evolving grid codes can help operators manage these complexities, while also highlighting the practical constraints - from supply chains to permitting - that continue to slow progress.

You will learn:

Why inverter-based renewables are changing how grid stability is managed.

How grid-forming technologies and power electronics can support system strength.

Why digital simulation and “grid twin” models are becoming critical for planning and operations.

What’s holding back faster grid connections - from equipment bottlenecks to system complexity.

Registration for the leading annual gathering of the European energy industry – the Aurora Spring Forum, taking place on 29th April 2026, in London is open - a one-day deep dive into the biggest strategic questions shaping Europe’s energy transition, plus top-tier networking and a live recording of Energy Unplugged. Book now at https://auroraer.com/events/aurora-spring-forum-2026 and use code PODCAST20 for 20% off.