Welcome and Plenary Speakers

Dr. Anand Gramopadhye
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Dr. Anand Gramopadhye, Dean of the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences, Clemson University


When: Wednesday, March 11th, 8.15am - 8.40 am

Where: Bellsouth Auditorium


Biography:Anand Gramopadhye assumed the position of Dean of the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences on July 1, 2013. He now oversees 12 academic departments, which have an enrollment of about 6,900 students. The research enterprise of the college generates approximately $47M in funding annually. Generally, the college's research expenditures account for nearly half of the total Clemson University research expenditures. Dr. Gramopadhye joined Clemson University in 1992, as an assistant professor. He was named chairman of the industrial engineering department in 2003, and assistant to the dean of the College of Engineering and Science in 2010. In 2011, he was appointed associate vice president for workforce development. Dr. Gramopadhye's research focuses on solving human-machine system design problems and modeling human performance in technologically complex systems, such as health care, aviation and manufacturing. He has been principal investigator for more than 75 research grants and awards, generating more than $45 million in funding. Dr. Gramopadhye has more than 300 publications and is a Fellow of the Institute of Industrial Engineers. He was recognized twice by the National Academy of Engineering through the Frontiers in Engineering Program as one of the Top 60 engineers in the country, and is editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics. He earned a bachelor's degree in production engineering in 1987 from the University of Bombay, India, and a master of science in 1989 and a Ph.D. in 1992, both in industrial engineering, from the State University of New York, Buffalo.

Mr. Frank C. Lambert, P. E.
Opening Plenary Talk
Mr. Frank C. Lambert, IEEE PES President, Principal Research Engineer at Center for Distributed Energy (CDE), Georgia Tech and National Electric Energy Testing Research and Applications Center (NEETRAC)


When: Wednesday, March 11th, 8.40 am - 9.20 am

Where: Bellsouth Auditorium

Title: Distribution Automation: Past, Present and Future

Abstract:The regulated utility model with a centralized grid where dispatched generation follows load has been very effective for over 100 years! The grid, however, is rapidly changing with Exponential Technologies (Computation, PV solar, wind, power semis, electric transportation, storage, microcontrollers, sensors, IoT, communication technologies, block-chain, cloud, autonomous control, deep learning) where traditional control paradigms are breaking down. Utilities would like to centrally control the smart edge devices on the grid, but this is not scalable to millions of nodes. A decentralized paradigm will be required for the future!

Biography:Lambert is a Principal Research Engineer at Center for Distributed Energy (CDE), Georgia Tech and National Electric Energy Testing Research and Applications Center (NEETRAC). He is responsible for interfacing with members to develop and conduct research projects dealing with transmission and distribution issues. Mr. Lambert previously worked at Georgia Power Company for 22 years in transmission / distribution system design, construction, operation, maintenance and automation. He is currently serving as the President of the IEEE Power and Energy Society. Mr. Lambert holds a bachelors and M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Mr. Sam Chanoski
Mr. Sam Chanoski, Director of Intelligence, Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Center, NERC


When: Wednesday, March 11th, 9.20 am - 10.00 am

Where: Bellsouth Auditorium

Title: Intelligent Systems: Challenges and Opportunities for Reliability and Security

Abstract: Today's grid is changing at increasing rates as fuel mixes shift, policy objectives add additional constraints to planning and operation, technological capabilities enable new understanding of the system of systems, economic considerations continually seek to extract increased efficiencies from operations, and the industry finds itself on the front lines of an unending battle against nation-state adversaries in cyberspace that it is inadequately postured to fight. This presentation will highlight some of the most pressing challenges industry faces today, as well as some of the work underway to manage these risks, with a focus on how advances in computing and technology are supporting these efforts

Biography:Sam Chanoski is the Electricity ISAC's Director of Intelligence, where he works with government and private sector organizations to exchange and analyze all-source intelligence in the context of the electric sector, develop mitigation strategies for significant grid threats, and provide technical and business context to E-ISAC's activities. He is also the executive sponsor for NERC's Critical Infrastructure Protection Committee (CIPC).

Dr. Anthony Kuh
Dr. Anthony Kuh, Program Director, National Science Foundation, United States


When: Wednesday, March 11th, 12.20 pm - 1.10 pm

Where: Ballroom A/B

Title: NSF Activities in AI and Data Science with Applications to Power Systems

Abstract:AI and data science are playing dramatically increasing roles in science and engineering systems. This is especially true in engineering infrastructure systems such as the Electric Power Grid. In this talk we first discuss NSF funding efforts in both data science and power systems. This is through core programs in the Electrical, Communications, and Cyber Systems Division and also through numerous special solicitations including CPS, and the NSF big ideas. We then discuss the integration of data science with power systems research and why this is vital to the future of the Electric Power Grid that will incorporate a higher percentage of renewable energy sources and needs to be more resilient to natural and man-made attacks.

Biography:Anthony Kuh received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of California, Berkeley in 1979, an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University in 1980, and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Princeton University in 1987. Dr. Kuh previously worked at AT&T Bell Laboratories and has been on the faculty in Electrical Engineering at the University of Hawai'i since 1986. He is currently a Professor in the Department, serving as director of the interdisciplinary renewable energy and island sustainability (REIS) group. Previously, he served as Department Chair of Electrical Engineering Dr. Kuh's research is in the area of neural networks and machine learning, adaptive signal processing, sensor networks, and renewable energy and smart grid applications. In 2017 he started service as a program director for NSF. He is in the Electrical, Communications, and Cyber Systems (ECCS) division working in the Energy, Power, Control, and Network (EPCN) group. Dr. Kuh won a National Science Foundation Presidential Young Investigator Award and is an IEEE Fellow. He was also a recipient of the Boeing A. D. Welliver Fellowship and received a Distinguished Fulbright Scholar's Award working at Imperial College in London. He currently serves on the Awards Board of the IEEE Signal Processing Society. He also currently serves on the Board of Governors of the Asia Pacific Signal and Information Processing Association as President Elect.

Mr. Stephen Stella
Mr. Stephen Stella, Lead-Technology Innovation, Electric Power Research Institute


When: Thursday, March 12th, 8.30 am - 9.15 am

Where: Bellsouth Auditorium

Title: Accelerating Innovation for the Electric Power System

Abstract:The power system is going through dramatic changes as we integrate distributed resources and provide new opportunities for flexibility, resiliency and efficiency at the customer. There are new architectural approaches for making all this work and this includes digital solutions for more optimum planning and operation. New sensors everywhere and the availability of data will enable artificial intelligence applications. How do we accelerate the application and adoption of these innovations for the power system? Let's talk about faster approaches to evaluate and demonstrate new solutions and share in the knowledge so that the solutions can be adopted throughout the industry.

Biography:Stephen Stella leads the Technology Innovation (TI) program at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). The TI program drives Thought Leadership on opportunities, challenges, and trends across the energy industry, and explores peripheral industries for unique approaches, solutions, and best practices. The TI program also supports EPRI's diverse portfolio of early-stage, emerging technologies research and innovation, including its global technology scouting and exploration program. He works with researchers, early-stage technology developers, incubators/accelerators, and subject matter experts to identify, evaluate, and assess the potential impact of emerging technologies and business models in applications across the energy industry. Prior to joining EPRI in 2015, Stephen worked in engineering, marketing, and business development roles in early-stage start-ups and large corporation, spanning multiple industries, including stints in energy, semiconductor, and automotive industries. Stephen holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Ohio State University, and a Master of Business Administration from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. Stephen is an IEEE Member.

Dr. Benjamin Kroposki
Dr. Benjamin Kroposki, Director of the Power Systems Engineering Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)


When: Thursday, March 12th, 9.15 am - 10.00 am

Where: Bellsouth Auditorium

Title: Integrating Ultra-High Levels of Variable Renewable Energy in Power Systems

Abstract:Variable renewable energy like wind and solar photovoltaics (PV) are being integrated into electric power systems at increasing rates. These technologies differ from conventional generation in that they use power electronic converters instead of synchronous generators to connect to electric power grids. At small levels, the power grid can easily handle the integration of variable renewable energy. At much higher levels, there are a number of technical concerns that must be addressed to ensure reliable and economic operations. This presentation will discuss the challenges and solutions to operating power system with high levels of variable renewables and how power electronic interfaces can be used to solve some of these challenges.

Biography:Dr. Benjamin Kroposki is the Director of the Power Systems Engineering Center at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) where he leads NREL's strategic research in the design, planning and operations of electrical power systems. As Center Director, he manages a staff of over 100 engineers and scientist conducting research on power system devices and systems, sensing, measurement, and forecasting, operations and control, power system design and planning studies, and security and resiliency. This work covers bulk-power systems, distribution systems, microgrids, and home energy management systems. He has over 25 years of experience in the design, testing, and integration of renewable and distributed power systems and has more than 140 publications in these areas. Dr. Kroposki received his BSEE and MSEE from Virginia Tech and Ph.D. from the Colorado School of Mines. As an IEEE Fellow, Dr. Kroposki was recognized for his leadership in renewable and distributed energy systems integration.

Dr. Drew Clarke
Dr. Drew Clarke, Lead Integrated Planning Coordinator, Integrated System and Operations Planning (ISOP), Duke Energy


When: Thursday, March 12th, 12.20 pm - 1.10 pm

Where: Ballroom A/B

Title: Integrated System and Operations Planning

Abstract:Duke Energy's developing ISOP framework envisions optimizing capacity and energy resource investments - for the benefit of our customers - across generation, transmission, distribution and customer solutions. Once established, this framework will assist in developing operationally feasible plans that support the growth of renewables and other distributed energy resources connected to our grid. It will also include enhanced modeling to value new technologies, or existing technologies in new ways, such as energy storage, electric vehicles, intelligent grid controls and customer programs, all of which are considered non-traditional solutions for distribution and transmission. As a result, Duke Energy's planners will have greater visibility and insights into infrastructure system performance requirements to support reliable and efficient operations in the future and improve our ability to evaluate different asset portfolios across a broader range of potential future scenarios.

Biography:Dr. Drew Clarke works as a Lead Integrated Planning Coordinator in the Integrated System and Operations Planning (ISOP) organization for Duke Energy, based in Charlotte, NC. His primary responsibilities include supporting the development of Duke Energy's integrated planning processes and coordination between the ISOP and transmission organizations. Prior to joining the ISOP organization, Drew worked in the Emerging Technology Organization, aligning Duke Energy's internal R&D priorities and managing external R&D partnerships, and as a System Operations Engineer, providing real time operations support. Drew received his PhD and Bachelor of Science, both in Electrical Engineering, from Clemson in 2014 and 2010, respectively. Drew is a Professional Engineer in the state of North Carolina and a NERC certified Reliability Coordinator.

Mr. Ajay Madwesh
Mr. Ajay Madwesh, Senior Manager, Analytics and Cognitive, Deloitte Consulting


When: Friday, March 13th, 10.30 am - 11.30 am

Where: Bellsouth Auditorium

Title: New and Emerging Digital Technologies

Abstract:Energy and Utilities are in the process of transformation to address the changes occurring across supplier, regulators, investors and consumers. This can be observed with the generation mix changing as wind and solar generation rise, to nearly 12 percent of capacity. Nearly 50 utilities have committed to significant carbon reduction goals by 2020. Money managers and institutional investors are looking to invest in utilities that have made commitments to cleaner energy production. Electricity customers across residential, commercial, and industrial segments increasingly seek to save money, use cleaner energy sources, ensure resiliency, and gain more control over their energy use. Two-thirds of utilities have said they wanted to be able to own and rate-base DERs with Microgrids, transactive energy system that allows neighbors to sell power peer-to-peer and participate in a demand response program that can help automatically balance the grid. This session will outline the application of new and emerging digital technologies that utilities are moving towards or in the process of deployment to transform themselves to a new utility model.

Biography:Ajay is a Senior Manager at Deloitte with over 28 years with diverse experience across large multinational as well as technology start-up companies. His experience spans working with business to conceptualize, design and implement solutions that deliver large scale business value as asset intensive real time operations undergo a Digital Transformation driven by Technology, Analytics and Internet-of-Things.