Electric power grid reliability in a new era of energy development and an introduction to the Pitt Energy GRID Institute

Energy resources and the supply of electric power are significant, defining global issues and play a critical role in our society on many levels. The impact from a new era of energy resource development and the rapidly evolving mix of diverse energy resource portfolios in the 21st century are creating new challenges and opportunities for electric power grid infrastructure. Over the past quarter of the 20th century, our nation has under‐invested in technology, infrastructure, research and development, and education in this important area, which has led to a tremendous need not only for technology and infrastructure advancement, but also in workforce development. In this seminar, Professor Gregory Reed will provide an overview of the electric power and energy sector, along with recommendations on solutions to power grid reliability concerns, including the role of advanced power electronics control technologies and the emergence of direct current (DC) solutions at all levels of the grid, as well as microgrids and other rapidly evolving developments. The discussion will also highlight opportunities for research and development needs, education and training, and future employment in these exciting and dynamic fields. Reed will also discuss the leadership role of the Pittsburgh region, and provide an introduction to the recently established Energy GRID Institute at the University of Pittsburgh.

Speaker Bio

Gregory Reed is the director of the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Energy and the Energy GRID Institute, the director of the Electric Power Systems Lab in the Swanson School of Engineering at Pitt, and a professor in the electrical and computer engineering department. He is also the director of the Grid Technologies Collaborative of the U.S. Department of Energy, an inaugural member of the National Academies of Science and Engineering's Energy Ambassador Program, and chief science advisor of the EMerge DC Alliance. His research interests, teaching activities, and related pursuits include advanced electric power and energy generation, transmission, and distribution system technologies; renewable energy systems and integration; power electronics and control technologies (FACTS, HVDC); DC infrastructure and microgrid developments; smart grid technologies; energy efficiency; and sustainability. Reed has 30 years of combined industry and academic experience in the electric power and energy sector, including engineering, research & development, and executive management positions throughout his career with the Consolidated Edison of New York, ABB Inc., Mitsubishi Electric Corp., and DNV-KEMA Inc. He has authored or co-authored more than 80 papers and technical articles in the areas of electric power system analysis, the applications of advanced power systems and power electronics technologies, and power engineering education. He is an active member of the IEEE Power & Energy Society and the American Society of Engineering Education. He also serves on the board of directors at Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh. Reed earned his PhD in electric power engineering from the University of Pittsburgh (1997), MEng in electric power from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1986), and BSEE from Gannon University (1985).