Mechanical and Materials Engineering Seminar

Smart Grid: The Goals, Challenges & Opportunities

Conrad Eustis, Ph.D., Portland General Electric

When and Where

13 Nov 2009 at 3:00 PM

Room 102, Engineering Building

Abstract

This seminar will provide a background on the main goals and benefits of the Smart Grid. The Smart Grid does not come with an instruction manual or even a clear compelling business case. The challenges that must be solved to in order to capture benefits will be discussed. With every challenge there is an opportunity for engineers to solve a problem. In particular, since electric energy is difficult to store, and since water heating and HVAC loads are responsible for roughly 50% of all electric use, and about 80% of non-base load use, thermal storage and thermal management will hold a prominent role in cost effective demand response --'the darling of the Smart Grid.' This seminar will highlight some of the Smart Grid opportunities available to mechanical engineers.

Speaker Biography

Conrad Eustis has pursued energy interests for 34 years, including 5 years in nuclear submarines, 5 years in energy-related graduate programs at Carnegie Mellon, and 24 years at PGE. He currently serves as Director of Retail Technology Development, a position he created in 2000. Conrad has degrees in Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, and a PhD in Engineering and Public Policy. At PGE he focuses on creating new platforms; the development work leading to PGE's successful Smart Metering business case is an example. His current efforts focus on developing a comprehensive Smart Grid road map including milestones in demand response, energy storage, distribution automation, and supporting IT infrastructure.