Prof. Hiskens receives stim money for wind energy

Prof. Ian Hiskens, Vennema Professor of Engineering, received a grant from the Department of Energy: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy to develop new techniques for assessing the impact of wind generation on power system voltage control and transient stability. He will initially focus on the power system in Michigan’s thumb area to understand the consequences of increased wind generation. His is one of three projects across the state of Michigan to receive funding from the government.

“With this grant, we hope to be able to increase the amount of wind power that can be carried on the grid system, allowing for greater utilization of wind generation. Increased wind generation will lead to new job opportunities in our state, with the additional benefit of reducing harmful greenhouse gases in our atmosphere,” said Professor Hiskens,

In all, the Dept. of Energy announced the selection of 28 new wind energy projects around the nation which could receive up to $13.8 million in funding – including $12.8 million in Recovery Act funds.

“Wind energy will be a critical factor in achieving the President’s goals for clean energy, while supporting new jobs,” said Energy Secretary Steven Chu. “While the United States leads the world in wind energy capacity, we have to continue to support research and development as we expand renewable energy deployment.”

Prof. Hiskens joined the faculty September 2008. He has made fundamental contributions to the study of power system dynamics, such as establishing theoretical and practical techniques to predict voltage collapse, and creating trajectory sensitivity analysis techniques for hybrid dynamical systems.

His primary research interests lie in the analysis of nonlinear (hybrid) systems, in particular system dynamics and control, and numerical techniques. Power systems form his primary applications focus. Current projects include large-scale integration of wind generation, grid controllability, system integration of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), dynamics and control of microgrids, and the development of methods for analyzing the impact of uncertainty on system dynamic performance.

He is Chair of the Board of Directors of the International Institute for Research and Education in Power System Dynamics (IREP), Treasurer of the IEEE Systems Council, and a member of the Administrative Committee of the IEEE Power System Dynamic Performance Committee. Professor Hiskens is a Fellow of the IEEE, a Fellow of Engineers Australia, and a Chartered Professional Engineer in Australia.

Additional Information:

Press Release by Congressman John D. Dingell

Press Release by U.S. Dept. of Energy (Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy)

Announced by ABC Action News Detroit