Power Expert Available to Discuss Potential Outages Related to Winter Storm Nemo

PITTSBURGH—With tens of millions of people in the path of a potentially historic winter storm, a significant portion of the U.S. population is likely to experience power outages. Public works and power companies are already working feverishly in states like Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, preparing for potential havoc caused by Winter Storm Nemo.

“The current storm hitting the Northeast undoubtedly will have an impact on the electric power grid, with significant outages anticipated,” said University of Pittsburgh faculty member and U.S. power-grid expert Gregory Reed, associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and director of the Electric Power Initiative in the Center for Energy of Pitt’s Swanson School of Engineering. “While our nation’s power distribution grid is relatively stable, it is often outmatched by Mother Nature.

 “While there will likely be issues and challenges in dealing with the power outages and infrastructure havoc associated with storms of this magnitude, they can also help us identify weak points in the grid and strengthen them against future events,” Reed added.

Reed is available to comment on the U.S. power grid as it relates to energy, infrastructure, and economic value. He is also able to comment on the following issues:

• Power electronics (FACTS, HVDC) and control technologies;
• Renewable energy systems and integration;
• Smart-grid technologies and applications;
• Direct Current (DC) technology and research;
• Energy storage systems and developments;
• Energy efficiency and energy management; and
• Power quality.

Reed may be reached at (412) 389-7503 or gfr3@pitt.edu. 

Reed has more than 27 years of combined industry and academic experience in the electric power and energy arena—including engineering, R&D, and executive management positions throughout his career with Consolidated Edison of New York Inc., ABB Inc., Mitsubishi Electric Corp., and DNV-KEMA Inc. He has authored or co-authored more than 75 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. In his roles at Pitt, Reed is responsible for providing the vision and leadership for the multidisciplinary activities of the electric power engineering program’s educational, research, and outreach components. 

###

2/8/13/mab/cjhm

View one of Reed's recent televison appearances below.