DeBlasio Named to the “Fierce 15”
FierceEnergy.com recently named NREL Chief Engineer for Renewable Electricity and End Use Applications Dick DeBlasio to the online publication’s “Fierce 15” for his leadership on smart grid technology. Specifically, he was recognized for his guidance as chair of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Standards Association P2030 Working Group.
DeBlasio was the driving force behind this new interoperability reference and knowledge base for the smart grid. IEEE Standard 2030 establishes a globally relevant smart grid interoperability reference model and methodology that can be used by:
Utilities developing infrastructure roadmaps
Manufacturers planning smart grid systems and applications
Scientists conducting research
Governments crafting regulations
IEEE 2030 will guide how communications, computers and power functions will work together to optimize the grid’s interaction with loads and will help dispatch renewable energy in a more predictable and useful way.
“Seamlessly adding information and communications technology to the electric power grid is critical to the success of the smart grid,” DeBlasio said. “I’m proud to have a key role in this effort because renewables would have limited usefulness if they couldn’t be connected to the grid.”
Two other 2030 team members were also recently recognized for their efforts.
Komomua and Basso Honored by IEEE Standards Association
IEEE recently selected NREL’s Technical Communicator Connie Komomua and Senior Engineer Tom Basso for its prestigious Standards Medallion awards for their significant contributions to develop the IEEE Standard 2030. Komomua served as technical editor and project coordinator, and Basso served as secretary and IEEE sponsor representative of 2030.
The IEEE Standards Medallion is granted for major contributions in developing standards, including leadership in standardization of new technologies, assuring achievement of standards development goals and identifying opportunities to better serve the needs of standards users.
Musial Receives UMass’ Alumni Clean Energy Award
NREL Principal Engineer Walt Musial is the inaugural recipient of the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass) Alumni Association’s Alumni Clean Energy Award. Musial was selected for initiating NREL’s offshore wind energy research program in 2003, for being a primary technical contact to DOE, and for his many published papers, reports, and articles on offshore wind energy.
“By most standards, offshore wind energy is still a new technology that is under development,” said Musial. “There are commercial wind farms in Europe, but we are a few years away from deploying anything here in the U.S. because of the regulatory process, cost, and the significant infrastructure needed to deploy the wind turbines.”
Before his role at NREL as the manager of Offshore Wind and Ocean Power Systems, Musial worked in the commercial wind energy industry in California. Years later, he donated a turbine he worked on to the Wind Energy Research Facility at UMass Amherst. It’s located on Mt. Tom in Holyoke, Mass., and serves as a demonstration, educational, and research platform for wind turbine design projects.
Dafoe named Sustainability All Star
Green Fleet Magazine has selected NREL’s Wendy Dafoe as a 2011 Sustainability All Star. Dafoe is a senior project leader for the Clean Cities program at NREL and for many years she managed DOE’s Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center. She also works closely with DOE program staff to identify information needs and execute projects that advance the Clean Cities mission. In 2009, Dafoe received a Lifetime Achievement Award for 15 years of outstanding service to the Clean Cities program.
Her selection by Green Fleet was based on her longevity in the industry, significant sustainability achievements and involvement in industry-wide efforts to promote sustainable fleet transportation solutions.
NREL is the U.S. Department of Energy’s primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. NREL is operated for DOE by The Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.
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