Power to the People
How can we meet rising demand for electrical power, protect our nation’s energy infrastructure, reduce impacts of climate change, and gain energy independence?
WSU researchers are leading the way in developing innovative smart-grid technologies, with new data systems approaches and computer-driven delivery systems. They are addressing associated social, economic, and policy structure needs and facilitating integration of renewable energy resources.
Led by Dr. Chen-Ching Liu, Boeing Distinguished Professor of Electrical Engineering and a Washington State STARSresearch faculty member, the new Energy Systems Innovation Center at WSU combines expertise in computational, analytical, and experimental methods with innovative approaches in research, data collection and analysis, and engineering to secure our global energy future.
Together, they’re helping to
- Meet our nation’s energy delivery needs
- Secure and improve our electrical power infrastructure
- Reduce environmental and societal impacts
- Create new jobs in clean technology and sustainable power
- Ensure our region’s economic and environmental health
- Address rising global energy needs.
Please join us in Seattle on April 4 to learn more about this innovative research and the big ideas at work at WSU.
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Featuring: Chen-Ching Liu, Ph.D.
Chen-Ching Liu, Boeing Distinguished Professor in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at WSU, is an international leader in smart grid research.
He is a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and is internationally recognized for pioneering contributions to the development of decision support systems for power system restoration following major outages. Dr. Liu’s research interests include cyber-power system vulnerability assessment, wide-area control and protection technologies for the power grid, and engineering and economic issues related to the integration of renewable energy.
He has published more than 100 articles in major power engineering journals and 20 book chapters. He has conducted research extensively for industry and governments, including the power industry in the United States, Europe, and Asia, the National Science Foundation, the Electric Power Research Institute, the Science Foundation Ireland, and European Commission programs.
Directing the New Energy Systems Innovation Center
At WSU, Dr. Liu is founding director of the new WSU Energy Systems Innovation Center. Working collaboratively with the electric power industry, researchers in the interdisciplinary center will conduct research and develop technology innovations for the smart grid and for other critical areas of energy systems. Research at the center will have a direct impact on economic development in the state of Washington and beyond, securing WSU’s position as an international leader in smart energy systems.
The WSU Energy Systems Innovation Center has a distinguished, multidisciplinary team of 26 faculty researchers from the core area of power engineering and allied fields of engineering, science, sociology, economics, psychology, and public policy. The synergy brings unique strengths to address critical electric energy issues in a societal context.
Internationally recognized expert and innovator
Dr. Liu was recognized for his outstanding contributions in the field of electrical engineering with an IEEE Third Millennium Medal in 2000. He has received several teaching awards, including the IEEE Power and Energy Society (PES) Outstanding Power Engineering Educator Award. He also played a leadership role in IEEE PES future power engineering workforce activities. Professor Liu is a member of the Board on Global Science and Technology of the National Academies.
Before joining the WSU faculty in 2011, he held faculty positions at Iowa State University and the University of Washington, where he served as associate dean of engineering from 2000 to 2005 and was on the board of the Washington Technology Center. He also was a professor in the School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering at University College Dublin, Ireland, where he served as deputy principal of the College of Engineering, Mathematical and Physical Sciences. He holds a doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley, in electrical engineering.
A powerful team at WSU
WSU’s international leadership in power engineering also is reflected through the expertise of Dr. Liu’s colleagues in the Energy Reserch Innovation Systems Center, who include Dr. Anjan Bose, recently appointed senior advisor to the U.S. Department of Energy.