April 24, 2023
PEIK Seminar - Energy and Environment: University Research on Hardware, Embedded Software, Monitoring, Analytics, and Controls
Speaker: Cristinel Ababei, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Marquette University, Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Seminar: Organized jointly with regional IEEE organizations
Abstract: In the first part of this presentation, following a brief introduction on the relationship between energy and environment, I will discuss interdisciplinary research including drone design for monitoring particulate matter, monitoring algae blooms, monitoring the temperature of stormwater runoff, and machine learning models for predicting pollutant concentrations. The examples will be provided by faculty-led student projects conducted as part of the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) summer program sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at Marquette University since 2021. In the second part, I will highlight current collaboration between University of Kentucky and Marquette University on advanced research projects, also sponsored by NSF, which focus on the forecast of electric power for appliances, building energy usage, and battery energy storage optimizations.
Bio: Cristinel Ababei is an Associate Professor in the Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), Marquette University. He received the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, in 2004 and the M.Sc. in signal processing and B.S. in microelectronics degrees from the Technical University of Iasi, Romania. Prior to joining Marquette, from 2012 to 2013, he was an assistant professor in the Dept. of EE, State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo. Between 2008 to 2012, he was an assistant professor in the Dept. of ECE, North Dakota State University (NDSU). From 2004 to 2008, he worked as an R&D engineer for Magma Design Automation in Silicon Valley. His current research interests include machine learning techniques applied to energy optimization in multicore processors and datacenters, co-simulation of buildings and distribution networks, embedded systems design for environment monitoring, and IoT security. Dr. Ababei serves on the technical program committee of several conferences including NOCS, SOCC, and ReConFig. He is an associate editor for IEEE Transactions on Computers. He is a senior member of IEEE and a member of ACM and Eta Kappa Nu.
February 27, 2023
PEIK Seminar - Campus Energy Systems, Performance, and Emissions Outlook at the University of Kentucky
Speaker: Britney Ragland, University of Kentucky Energy Engineer and Utilities Engineering
Seminar: Organized jointly with regional IEEE organizations
Abstract: The University of Kentucky consists of more than 20 million square feet across an 800-acre campus with critical healthcare, research, and educational facilities and diverse energy needs. Join us to learn more about the campus energy systems as a whole, the campus energy conservation program, and the future outlook for campus sustainability and emissions reductions goals.
Bio: Britney Ragland has served as the University of Kentucky Energy Engineer and Utilities Engineering Manager over the last 10 years. She originally obtained a BS in Mechanical Engineering from UK in 2009 and also earned a Masters in Biosystems and Ag Engineering while working for the University. She also has a Professional Engineers license and is a Certified Energy Manager. Outside of work, Britney is married and has 3 stepchildren and one son Alexander, who just turned 5, and co-leads a Celebrate Recovery Ministry with her husband Brandon.
November 21, 2022
PEIK Seminar - Pathways to Decarbonization in Kentucky
Speaker: Aron Patrick, Director of Research and Development, PPL Corporation
Title: Pathways to Decarbonization in Kentucky
Seminar: Organized jointly with regional IEEE organizations
Abstract: Kentucky is making remarkable progress in clean energy. The air in Kentucky is cleaner today than it has been since emissions monitoring began, and Kentucky has reduced emissions at a faster rate than the nation as a whole. By 2021, Kentucky has reduced sulfur dioxide emissions from electricity generation by 93% since 1995 and carbon dioxide emissions by 41% since the year 2000. PPL Corporation, the parent company of LG&E and KU, is committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and is targeting a 70% reduction from 2010 levels by 2035 and an 80% reduction by 2040. Emissions reductions in Kentucky will continue and accelerate into the future as cleaner energy sources replace retiring coal-fired power plants. Kentucky is adding record amounts of renewable resources today, however, renewable energy is not new to Kentucky—where hydroelectric dams have been operated since the 1920s and a utility-scale solar farm and lithium-ion batteries since 2016. Since the sun does not always shine, and the wind does not always blow, integration of renewable energy on a traditional power grid requires careful planning to maintain low costs and reliability. A new University of Kentucky study has demonstrated that up to 25% renewables can be integrated into the existing generation and transmission system if renewables are diversified to include wind and solar and regionally dispersed at optimal points on the transmission system. New natural gas capacity built today reduces emissions by 60% compared to coal and can be carbon neutral with future advances in carbon capture and green hydrogen technology. Total decarbonization requires an all-of-the above approach to clean energy technology to help deliver a sustainable clean energy transition that supports energy reliability, resilience and economic growth.
Bio: Aron Patrick is Director of Research and Development for PPL Corporation, a leading U.S. energy company focused on providing electricity and natural gas safely, reliably, affordably and sustainably to 3.5 million customers in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Virginia. PPL’s high-performing, award-winning utilities, Kentucky Utilities, Louisville Gas and Electric, PPL Electric Utilities and Rhode Island Energy, are addressing energy challenges head-on by building smarter, more resilient and more dynamic power grids and advancing sustainable energy solutions. Aron is responsible for managing an enterprise-wide R&D strategy and PPL’s partnerships with external research organizations, including national laboratories, and universities. Aron has worked for PPL, and PPL subsidiary LG&E and KU, for more than six years. Before joining LG&E and KU, Aron held leadership roles at the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, including assistant director and program manager in carbon management and renewable energy. In those roles, Aron managed data, modeling, and research in energy policy and future energy technologies. Prior to that, Aron was an intelligence analyst for the federal government, using statistical analysis and modeling to address national security problems. Aron is a Lexington native and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Kentucky.
April 7, 2021
PEIK Online Seminar - Kentucky's Clean Energy Successes, Opportunities, and Challenges
Speaker: Aron Patrick, Manager, Technology Research and Analysis, LG&E and KU
Title: Kentucky’s Clean Energy Successes, Opportunities, and Challenges
Seminar: Organized jointly with regional IEEE organizations
Abstract: Kentucky is making remarkable progress in clean energy. The air in Kentucky is cleaner today than it has been since emissions monitoring began, and Kentucky has reduced emissions at a faster rate than the nation as a whole. By 2020, Kentucky had reduced carbon dioxide emissions below the Obama-era Clean Power Plan targets for the year 2030—a full decade ahead of the proposed schedule. Emissions reductions will only continue and accelerate into the future. LG&E and KU are committed, together with our parent company PPL, to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 70% by 2040 and by 80% by 2050. LG&E and KU are also committed to research and development in new clean energy technologies to help us move further, faster, and achieve reductions beyond 80%. Renewable energy is not new to LG&E and KU—we have operated two hydroelectric facilities, Ohio Falls and Dix Dam, since the 1920s. In 2016, we built Kentucky’s largest solar farm and largest lithium-ion battery. We continue to expand our solar offerings, and today, every customer that wants solar power can sign up for it. In partnership with the University of Kentucky, we have a decade of research in carbon capture technology and are currently researching the technical challenges and opportunities of increasing intermittent renewable resources. We are also researching ways to lower solar costs and improve solar integration with the natural environment by incorporating native plants, pollinator habitats, and using sheep for vegetation management at our solar farms, as discussed in the seminar presentation.
Bio: Aron Patrick is the manager of Technology Research and Analysis for LG&E and KU. Aron is responsible for managing research on technologies that improve how LG&E and KU provide safe, reliable, sustainable energy at a reasonable cost while analyzing technologies that change the way customers use energy. Before joining LG&E and KU, Aron held leadership roles at the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, including assistant director and program manager in carbon management and renewable energy. In those roles, Aron managed data, modeling, and research in energy policy and future generation technologies. Prior to that, Aron was an intelligence analyst for the federal government, using statistical analysis and modeling to address national security problems. Aron is a Lexington native and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Kentucky.
December 22, 2020
PEIK Online Seminar - Integration of Large PV Power Plants and Batteries in the Electric Power System
Speaker: Dr. Oluwaseun Akeyo
Title: Integration of Large PV Power Plants and Batteries in the Electric Power System
Abstract: The presentation will discuss timely topics of electric power engineering and will be substantially based on two published papers. A first one, entitled “Incorporating Battery Energy Storage Systems into Multi-MW Grid Connected PV Systems” received this year the IEEE Industry Applications Society RES Committee Transactions Paper Award - Third Prize, and a second one entitled “Parameter Identification for Cells, Modules, Racks, and Battery for Utility-Scale Energy Storage Systems” was very recently published in the widely circulated IEEE Access journal. The two papers are co-authored by collaborators from the SPARK Lab, which is affiliated with the PEIK Institute at UK, and Louisville Gas and Electric and Kentucky Utilities (LG&E and KU).
Bio: Seun Akeyo is a Senior Engineer with Sargent & Lundy, a global leading power and energy consulting firm headquartered in Chicago, IL, where he focuses on the engineering modeling and simulation of electric power plants and high voltage transmission systems. He recently received the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Kentucky (UK). Dr. Akeyo’s doctoral research in the SPARK Lab at UK contributed to projects sponsored by Department of Energy (DOE) and in close collaboration with large utilities, especially LG&E and KU. He has published more than fifteen peer-reviewed journal papers and conference proceedings, which include one that received a Best Poster/Paper Award at the 2016 IEEE International Conference on Renewable Energy Research and Applications (ICRERA) in Birmingham, England, and one that received the 2020 IEEE Industry Applications Society RES Committee Transactions Paper Award - Third Prize for integration studies of large battery energy storage systems into multi-MW grid connected PV systems.
June 26, 2020
PEIK Online Seminar - Power over Ethernet and its impacts on Industry Codes and Standards
Speaker: Mr. Rodger Reiswig
Title: Power over Ethernet and its impacts on Industry Codes and Standards
Abstract:Power over Ethernet is converging into the life safety industry. With the desire of integrating more systems together and for a user to be able to interact with their building’s life safety systems the need for codes and standards to allow this has changed dramatically. This seminar will cover those changes as well as provide a glimpse into where the life safety industry is going and how not only the Internet of Things but the Internet of Everything is affecting these systems.
Bio: Rodger Reiswig has been employed with Johnson Controls for over 33 years. Rodger started his career as a Technical Representative and has held several positions throughout his career with Johnson Controls. Positions include Sales, Field Sales Engineer and Sales Manager. Rodger’s current position is that of Fellow and Vice President, Industry Relations. As Vice President of Industry Relations, Rodger represents Johnson Controls worldwide and is able to devote his time to representing Johnson Controls on various codes and standards committees as well as serving on various association and organization boards and committees.
Rodger holds a certification from Two Rivers Technologies as a Master in Telecommunications, and from Eastern Technical holds a certification in Electronics Technology and Microprocessor Design. Rodger also has a Master’s Degree in Theology from Evangelical Theological Seminary. Rodger holds NICET certification in both Fire Alarm and Special Hazard Layout. NICET level IV Fire Alarm Systems Certification and NICET level I Special Hazards Layout Certification.
May 28, 2020
PEIK Online Seminar -Supplying Secure Power with Properly Installed Energy Storage Systems (ESS)
Speaker: Mr. Keith Waters
Title: Supplying Secure Power with Properly Installed Energy Storage Systems (ESS)
Abstract: The growth of Energy Storage Systems (ESS) used to supply secure power to larger systems created the need to develop more standards around performance and safe installation. These standards are especially true when ESS are installed in residential, commercial, and industrial installations. These areas are now seeing much larger battery systems and newer Lithium Ion technology. The standards that will be reviewed during this presentation will be focused on NFPA 70 (National Electric Code) Articles 705 (Interconnected Electric Power Production); 706 (Energy Storage Systems); and 710 (Stand Alone Systems). These code articles provide the statutory requirements based on what version of the NEC that an individual state has adopted. A brief overview of the current state of NEC adoption will be included. There are other standards that will be covered briefly to give the attendee a view of ESS codes/standards’ future.
Bio: Keith is an Industry Standards Manager for Schneider Electric USA and is based in Lexington, Kentucky. He is responsible for overcurrent protective device and automation/control product standards, installation codes, enforcement, and holds BSEE degree from the University of Kentucky. Keith is also engaged in applying codes and standards addressing energy efficiency & sustainability. He also participates in the Power & Energy Institute of Kentucky’s Industry Advisory Council. Keith is a licensed Professional Engineer and a Certified Energy Manager. Keith has been an employee of Schneider Electric for 33 years as a Product Application Engineer, Proposal Development Engineer, Price Manager, Merchandise Marketing Manager and Multiple Business Development positions including Strategic & Global Account Management as well as managing several strategic segment engineering teams. Keith frequently speaks on various energy efficiency, sustainability, product application, and code compliance topics. He is a member of numerous industry technical committees. Keith is a NEMA representative to NEC Code Making Panel 11. He has published articles on Energy Management and Electrical Controls.
April 30, 2020
PEIK Online Seminar -Harmonics and Mitigation Techniques
Speaker: Mr. Remi Bolduc
Title: Harmonics and Mitigation Techniques
Abstract: During this session you will learn about:
- The high frequencies voltage and current that exist in our Low Voltage networks,
- we will review together what harmonics are, how they are generated and how to quantify them,
- the dominant harmonic standard in North America (IEEE 519-2014) and some of the Utilities grid code requirements for harmonics,
- then we will proceed to review the harmonic mitigation solutions available on the market,
- and we will finish with a focus on Active Harmonic Filtering.
Bio: Remi Bolduc is the Competency Center Manager for Digital Power in Schneider Electric. He started his career with the Hydro-Quebec Utility in service and maintenance of HV switchgear, followed by 6 years with S&C Electric in application of MV switchgear. For the past 20 years, he has held various technical and commercial roles for Schneider Electric where he has specialized in Power Quality Correction. Mr. Bolduc graduated with a degree in Electrodynamics and has lectured in over 200 Power Quality seminars around the world.
The presentation can be downloaded here.
February 22nd, 2020
2020 Engineers Day at the University of Kentucky
Location: University of Kentucky
Time: 9:00am - 1:00pm
On Saturday February 22nd, PEIK will exhibit on campus at UK's Engineering Day. Our most popular displays, including the full-size electric bike with flashing lights and the "world's largest wind turbine", which can be seen in the first part of the above video, will be back by popular demand. Other attractive PEIK exhibits comprise a Faraday flashlight, a magnetically levitated electric light bulb, and a large operational drone.
Joint exhibits with long-time supporter, LG&E and KU, include an electric city model and a video display showing real-life utility-size power systems and renewable energy installations, including Kentucky's largest PV power plant. Engineers Day, or E-Day, is a celebration of everything engineering has to offer. For directions, parking, full details about E-Day visit:
https://www.engr.uky.edu/eday/e-day/about-e-day.
For more past event go to the PEIK Past Events.