Prof. Deepakraj M Divan of Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA

LECTURE ABSTRACT

This lecture will delve into the transformative journey of the electricity grid from a centralized infrastructure to a dynamically interactive energy ecosystem. As we witness an irreversible energy transition characterized by widespread adoption of solar PV, wind energy, battery storage, and electric vehicles, the concept of the grid is evolving from merely a resource to an integrated ecosystem. This ecosystem intelligently balances energy distribution, maintains stability, and manages economic, physical, and cybersecurity challenges in real-time. The lecture will address how disparate energy sources and loads can autonomously collaborate across a grid where technology spans various generations and manufacturers, and where the network’s parameters are often poorly defined. Emphasizing an interdisciplinary approach, the discussion will incorporate aspects of energy systems, power electronics, controls, data management, and policy, urging for immediate collaborative action among utilities, industry leaders, and researchers. 

Biography:

Personal Statement: 

In my 40-year career, I've worked on enhancing power processing during the shift from centralized to distributed smart energy systems. This transition calls for an interdisciplinary approach, including energy systems, controls, and economics. Quick decision-making, involving all stakeholders, is crucial for collaborative solutions and rapid global market adoption.

Personal details:

I received my B. Tech from IIT Kanpur, and my M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Calgary, Canada. Currently, I am a Professor, John E Pippin Chair, GRA Eminent Scholar, and Director of the Center for Distributed Energy at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA. I also serve as Founder and Chief Scientist at Varentec, in Santa Clara, CA. I was President and CTO of Varentec from 2011-14, leading the company as it developed its suite of innovative distributed real-time grid control technologies (Varentec is funded by leading green-tech Venture Capital firm Khosla Ventures and renowned investor Bill Gates). I am an elected Member of the US National Academy of Engineering, a member of the National Academies Board on Energy and Environmental Systems, a Fellow of the IEEE, a past President of the IEEE Power Electronics Society, and a recipient of the IEEE William E Newell Field Medal. 

Key outputs, contributions, and achievements:

I have contributed to the generation of knowledge in the areas of power electronics, power systems, smart grids, and distributed control of power systems, with 65 issued and pending patents, and starting several companies based on them, including Soft Switching Technologies, Innovolt, Varentec and Smart Wires, which together have raised >$160M in venture funding. I have contributed to the development of individuals by lecturing and seminars and courses in many international universities, supervising a large number of PhD students, and publishing over 400 refereed publications. I have contributed to the wider research community by bringing together Academia and Industry to develop the new energy infrastructure of tomorrow, a system that we believe will be increasingly smart and distributed. I have contributed to broader society by exploring multiple areas, but especially by the IEEE Empower a Billion Lives initiative aimed at fostering innovation to develop solutions to universal energy access and development.

Email:

Address:North Avenue, , Atlanta, GA , Georgia, United States, 30332