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Eversource Energy Center Faculty Receive Prestigious NSF CAREER Awards

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The Eversource Energy Center at UConn is celebrating the achievements of two of its leading researchers, Diego Cerrai and Junbo Zhao, who have each received the National Science Foundation’s highly competitive Faculty Early Career Development (NSF CAREER) Award.

 

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Diego Cerrai, Ph.D.

Dr. Diego Cerrai, Interim Director of the Eversource Energy Center and Assistant Professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, is advancing the science behind power outage prediction and restoration. His research focuses on improving how utilities forecast outages caused by snow and ice storms — and how they respond. By combining detailed observations of snow density with improved weather models, Cerrai’s work will refine the UConn Outage Prediction Model, already used by major utilities. His project also includes developing a new restoration model that factors in road conditions during winter weather, with the aim of reducing inequities in power restoration for rural communities. Read more about Cerrai’s research.

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Junbo Zhao, Ph.D.

Dr. Junbo Zhao, Associate Director of the Eversource Energy Center and Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is tackling the challenges of keeping our power grid stable and secure in an era of rapid growth in renewable energy. Zhao’s CAREER project will improve grid operators’ ability to monitor and control power systems in real time, helping prevent large-scale blackouts like the 2003 Northeast blackout. His integrated research and education plan also includes hands-on training, industry collaboration, and outreach to inspire the next generation of energy innovators. Learn more about Zhao’s research.

Congratulations to both faculty for their exceptional contributions to grid reliability and resilience — and for strengthening the Eversource Energy Center’s role as a leader in energy research.

Leadership Horizons Workshop Empowers UConn Engineering Grad Students

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UConn Tech Park was pleased to host the Leadership Horizons: Exploring Paths Beyond Graduation leadership workshop from the UConn Engineering – John Lof Leadership Academy on May 13. The workshop was designed to educate graduate students from the UConn College of Engineering about leadership opportunities in various career sectors (industry, academia, and entrepreneurship).

Attendees heard from guest speakers from both industry and academia, who discussed the opportunities and hurdles students may face as they move forward in their careers. Thank you to all speakers for your invaluable expertise and guidance!

Exploring the Future of Digital Twins in Manufacturing

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Group of scientistsOn November 12–13, 2024, UConn’s Pratt & Whitney Institute for Advanced Systems Engineering (PW-IASE) brought together researchers, industry leaders, and practitioners for the Workshop on Digital Twins for Manufacturing, held at the Innovation Partnership Building at UConn Tech Park. Hosted in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), the event served as a global platform to explore the transformative potential of Digital Twin (DT) technologies in modern manufacturing.

Participants engaged in a dynamic exchange of ideas through keynote presentations, interactive panels, and collaborative working sessions. The workshop’s agenda was designed to address pressing challenges and opportunities in manufacturing, with a focus on the development and application of DTs—virtual models that mirror physical systems to optimize products, processes, and production throughout their lifecycle.

Digital Twin technologies are revolutionizing how manufacturers approach design, production, and maintenance. By enabling real-time data integration and predictive analytics, DTs support informed decision-making and proactive solutions, critical for industries navigating the complexities of modern supply chains and innovation demands. “As the manufacturing sector evolves, DTs provide critical tools for innovation, enabling real-time data integration, predictive analytics, and proactive decision-making,” noted Dr. George Bollas, associate dean of Research for UConn’s College of Engineering and director of PW-IASE.

The workshop tackled key themes, such as improving system efficiency, enhancing resilience, and leveraging DTs for sustainability in manufacturing. Notable speakers and panelists represented a wide array of expertise, from academic research to practical applications in aerospace, defense, and energy sectors. Participants worked toward actionable outcomes, including drafting a strategic roadmap to guide the future development of DT technologies and fostering collaborations across academia, industry, and government.

By hosting this event, UConn reaffirmed its position as a leader in advancing cutting-edge manufacturing technologies. The workshop highlighted Connecticut’s rich industrial heritage, particularly in aerospace, defense, and shipbuilding, while showcasing how innovations like DTs will shape the future of these sectors.

The Workshop on Digital Twins for Manufacturing not only provided a forum for sharing knowledge but also underscored the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in driving technological progress. As digital twins continue to mature, they hold the promise of transforming manufacturing into a more agile, efficient, and sustainable industry.