Powder River Energy hosts seminar on the U.S. power grid

Ever wondered how it's possible to monitor a machine as massive, complex and important as the United States power grid? Powder River Energy will be hosting a seminar next week that will provide insights into the answer to that question.

On July 12, head to the conference room in Old Stoney at 5:30 p.m. for a 90-minute community seminar titled, "Keeping an eye on the world's largest machine: how measurements are modernizing the electric grid".

The United States power grid is considered the world's largest machine, moving power across vast distances through a complex network operated by thousands of organizations. The grid is essential for nearly every aspect of our daily lives, so ensuring its reliability is critical to the nation's interests.

This talk will describe the advanced measurement systems and explain their role in the grid's current operation and ongoing modernization.

Dr. Jim Follum graduated from Sundance High School in 2006 and is the son of Ray and Lynelle Follum. He joined Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in 2014 after completing B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering at the University of Wyoming.

Dr. Follum's research focuses on the application of statistical signal processing to synchronized power system measurements. This work helps utilities monitor the power grid in real time.