
Energy Systems

Sebastian Neira Castillo (MIEEE, MIET) is a Lecturer in Electrical Machines and Drives at The University of Edinburgh. He received a dual PhD in Engineering from Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile and the University of Edinburgh, with a thesis titled "Design of Power Converters with Embedded Energy Storage for Hybrid DC-AC Applications".
His research expertise lies within the power electronics field with extensive practical experience in developing novel power converter topologies and control systems with direct use in electrical machine drives, renewable energy applications and energy storage systems. A core component of his work is the experimental validation of power conversion systems, with experience testing up to megawatt-scale power ratings. Since 2019, he has actively participated in collaborative research projects, resulting in the publication of 1 patent application and 30 peer-reviewed articles.
PhD in Electrical Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile and University of Edinburgh, 2023.
Título de Ingeniero Civil Electricista (Electrical Engineer), Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, 2016.
- Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)
- Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
- Next Generation Network (NGN) Member of CIGRE

Professor in the Institute for Energy Systems and Mechanical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh. Models and designs powertrains and generators for offshore wind turbines.
PhD in "Structural analysis of low speed, high torque electrical generators for direct drive renewable energy converters" from Edinburgh (2004-2008). This started me looking at the integrated electrical-magnetic-mechanical modelling and design of large electrical machines for offshore renewable energy.
During my PhD, I started work on a double-sided air-cored permanent magnet machine concept called "C-Gen". Ultimately this lead to a formation and spin-out of a company called NGenTec, where as a founder I worked as Chief Engineer, helping to develop linear, radial-flux and axial-flux variants.
In 2012, I returned to academia, as a lecturer in Wind Turbine Technology in the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineer at the University of Strathclyde. Based in the EPSRC CDT in Wind Energy Systems, over the following years I was promoted to Senior Lecturer and then Reader in Wind Turbine Technology. During those years I developed interests in wind turbine powertrain modelling, design, optimisation, reliability and condition monitoring, always asking what technology will give the lowest cost of energy for offshore renewables.
In 2021, I rejoined Edinburgh, where I work in Electrical Power Conversion group as applied to Wind Energy and Offshore Renewable Energy.
My career publications can be found here (please scroll down to the very bottom to see the ones that no one has read) and my EPSRC-funded projects are here (email me for the long list of those that didn't get funded).
PhD, University of Edinburgh, 2008
MEng (Hons) in Integrated Electrical & Mechanical Engineering, University of Durham, 2004
Member of the Institution for Engineering Technology (IET), CEng
- Design of permanent magnet electrical machines for wind energy and offshore renewable energy
- Design for lightweight electrical machines

Professor in the Institute for Energy Systems and Mechanical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh. Models and designs powertrains and generators for offshore wind turbines.
PhD in "Structural analysis of low speed, high torque electrical generators for direct drive renewable energy converters" from Edinburgh (2004-2008). This started me looking at the integrated electrical-magnetic-mechanical modelling and design of large electrical machines for offshore renewable energy.
During my PhD, I started work on a double-sided air-cored permanent magnet machine concept called "C-Gen". Ultimately this lead to a formation and spin-out of a company called NGenTec, where as a founder I worked as Chief Engineer, helping to develop linear, radial-flux and axial-flux variants.
In 2012, I returned to academia, as a lecturer in Wind Turbine Technology in the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineer at the University of Strathclyde. Based in the EPSRC CDT in Wind Energy Systems, over the following years I was promoted to Senior Lecturer and then Reader in Wind Turbine Technology. During those years I developed interests in wind turbine powertrain modelling, design, optimisation, reliability and condition monitoring, always asking what technology will give the lowest cost of energy for offshore renewables.
In 2021, I rejoined Edinburgh, where I work in Electrical Power Conversion group as applied to Wind Energy and Offshore Renewable Energy.
My career publications can be found here (please scroll down to the very bottom to see the ones that no one has read) and my EPSRC-funded projects are here (email me for the long list of those that didn't get funded).
PhD, University of Edinburgh, 2008
MEng (Hons) in Integrated Electrical & Mechanical Engineering, University of Durham, 2004
Member of the Institution for Engineering Technology (IET), CEng
- Design of permanent magnet electrical machines for wind energy and offshore renewable energy
- Design for lightweight electrical machines

- MEng in Mechanical Engineering, Liverpool John Moores University, 2018
- PhD in Offshore Renewable Energy, University of Edinburgh, 2024
- Turbine numerical modelling
- Offshore renewable energy experimental testing
- Mechanical design

- MEng in Mechanical Engineering, Liverpool John Moores University, 2018
- PhD in Offshore Renewable Energy, University of Edinburgh, 2024
- Turbine numerical modelling
- Offshore renewable energy experimental testing
- Mechanical design