Region 2 is comprised of 11 chapters, including 3 PES/IAS joint chapters and 1 PES/IAS/PELS joint chapter. These are Akron-Canton, Baltimore, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Delaware Bay, Lehigh Valley, Northern Virginia, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Youngstown. There are always opportunities for volunteers to participate in an existing chapter or start a new one. The following are some of the 2017 chapter activities in Region 2.

Dayton PEAL (PE/IA/PEL) Chapter

On Mar 8, 2017, the IEEE Dayton Section PEAL chapter (PELS, PES, & IAS) hosted two representatives (Dr. Christoph Leser& Mr. Ramon Guitart) from MTS to lead a technical discussion on Dynamic High Performance Electrical Power in Formula 1, Formula E, and Aerospace electrical power systems. MTS discussed their approach to incorporating technology advances in electrical machines and power electronics, which has allowed them to compete at the highest levels. MTS answered a variety of questions such as use of silicon carbide (SiC) based power electronics, component cooling/packaging, design for component life, control methods, operating voltage, and design/interaction with the energy storage & mechanical systems.

Columbus Chapter

The Columbus PES chapter has been very busy in 2017, organizing several technical presentations and planning the remainder of the year. The 4-member executive team was fairly new to PES in 2016, but has been quickly learning about the various IEEE communications and reporting tools available. On January 19th, two subject matter experts from AEP (American Electric Power) presented an innovative method of conducting substation grounding studies, with 1 hour of professional-development given for the 43 attendees. IEEE Columbus PES and the Ohio State University student branch co-sponsored a technical presentation on March 23rd which covered the topic of Distributed Energy Resources (DER’s), with 21 attendees.  This event was held on the Ohio State campus, with an expert from AEP giving the talk.

Future activities include a technical event on May 18th with a professor from Ohio State discussing electricity markets.  The remainder of the year is still being planned, but will likely include a tour of AEP’s microgrid test substation in Columbus, as well as a joint event with a local nuclear engineering group in the fall.  The goals for the year will be enhancing communications methods to the local IEEE community and increasing membership.

Northern Virginia Chapter

The Northern Virginia Chapter has held two meetings and has others planned.  On January 26 they had a presentation on Understanding Arc Flash Incident Energy, and on March 8 they hosted a presentation on the Development of a Return on Investment Model for Implementation of LIDAR on Wind Turbines.  Chapter officers are members of the Local Organizing Committee for the Innovative Smart Grid Technologies Conference which took place in Crystal City, Northern Virginia April 23-26, 2017.  Several PES member graduate students in the Northern Virginia/Washington, DC area signed up to serve as volunteers so that they could participate in the conference at the same time.  They will resume monthly technical meetings in May and plan to host 2-3 speakers in May, June, and July.

Rachel Krepps
Region 2 Representative