Grid Reliability and its Vital Signs
On November 4, 2025, the IEEE Power & Energy Society Colombian Caribbean Section and IEEE Power & Energy Society Student Branch Chapter at Universidad del Norte hosted the technical talk Grid Reliability and its Vital Signs at the Universidad del Norte campus in Barranquilla, Colombia. The event brought together 81 attendees — making it one of the chapter's largest in-person gatherings of the year — for a high-level lecture on the current and future challenges of electrical power system reliability, delivered by one of the most recognized figures in the global power engineering community.
Technical Content
The session explored how key indicators such as frequency, voltage, and service interruptions serve as vital signs of the health and reliability of an electrical power system. The talk addressed how digital transformation and the integration of clean energy sources can improve the efficiency, sustainability, and resilience of modern grids. Particular attention was given to the responsible use of artificial intelligence as an enabling tool for grid optimization, as well as the importance of cross-sector collaboration between the technology and energy industries in driving meaningful progress toward more robust and decarbonized power systems.
Participation and Impact
With 81 in-person attendees, the event demonstrated a strong level of engagement from the university community around topics at the forefront of power systems engineering. The presence of Dr. Jessica Bian — a former President of the IEEE Power & Energy Society and a globally recognized expert in grid reliability — elevated the academic and professional value of the activity considerably. Participants had the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge perspectives on the intersection of power engineering, digital innovation, and energy policy, reinforcing the chapter's capacity to attract world-class expertise to its local community.
The talk Grid Reliability and its Vital Signs stands as a testament to the IEEE PES Student Branch Chapter's ambition and reach. By bringing an international reference in power systems to the Universidad del Norte campus, the chapter provided its members and the broader university community with an exceptional learning experience and a direct connection to the global conversation on grid reliability and the energy transition.
Date and Time
Location
Hosts
Registration
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- Universidad del Norte
- Km 5 Via Puerto Colombia
- Barranquilla, Atlantico
- Colombia 081007
- Building: Bloque G
- Room Number: 13G2
- Click here for Map
- Starts 30 October 2025 05:00 AM UTC
- Ends 04 November 2025 10:15 PM UTC
- No Admission Charge
Speakers
Dr. Jessica Bian
Grid Reliability and its Vital Signs
Frequency, voltage, customer interruption. What do these vital signs tell us about the bulk power system? This lecture will explore reliability aspects of bulk power system so that you will develop a systematic, integrated understanding of how to accurately assess the grid health. It will also cover how digital transformation with clean energy integration can revolutionize the energy sector, driving efficiency, sustainability, and resilience, necessitating collaboration between the tech and energy sectors to navigate this complex landscape and ensure responsible AI deployment for a greener future.
Biography:
Dr. Jessica Bian is a visionary leader and architect. She has spearheaded the electric power industry's reliability metrics and grid risk assessment. She is currently CTO at RAS Fusion. Before that, she was with Grid-X Partners, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Washington, DC. Previously, she was the Director of Performance Analysis at North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) in Atlanta, Georgia. Under her leadership, a total of 18 industry-wide reliability indicators were established to determine grid reliability, adequacy, and associated risks. She is widely recognized as a pioneer and trusted world leader in the field. She is a Fellow of IEEE, and a member of US National Academy of Engineering. She serves as the 2024-2025 Chair of IEEE Industry Engagement Committee. She was the 2022-2023 President of the IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES).
Agenda
- 5:30 PM — Registration and Welcome — Attendees check in and the IEEE PES Student Branch Chapter organizing team opens the session.
- 5:40 PM — Speaker Introduction — Brief presentation of Dr. Jessica Bian's academic and professional background.
- 5:45 PM — Keynote Lecture: Grid Reliability and its Vital Signs — Dr. Jessica Bian addresses key reliability indicators, digital transformation, AI in power systems, and clean energy integration.
- 6:15 PM — Q&A Session — Open exchange between Dr. Bian and the audience.
- 6:25 PM — Closing Remarks — Final words from the chapter and appreciation to the speaker and participants.
Media
| Host Gift | 107.98 KiB | |
| Event attendees | 120.07 KiB |