Naim Logic, IEEE PES Region 6 representative

The IEEE PES Region 6 is composed of 24 chapters in the Western United States. Three of these chapters are joint chapters.

Geographically, Region 6 covers 12 states: HI, AK, WA, MT, OR, ID, WY, CA, NV, UT, AZ, and NM. One Chapter representative covers 3 states: ID, OR, and WA. There is a need to have one more Chapter representative, but so far I wasn’t able to find volunteer for this position. As reminder, previously Region 6 for years had two Chapter representatives.

Recently, two more Chapters were established: Hawaii and Western Montana.

Most PES chapters in the region 6 are active, providing technical and social service to local members, showing the benefits of being a PES member.

Nineteen chapters have established their web sites. Unfortunately, only seven of them are working properly, five of them are not updated this year yet, three are linked to Section web site.

In addition, there are 11 Student PES branches established in the Region 6. I must emphasize significant activity of these Student chapters who are recruiters for our future regular members and active volunteers.

Recently, one more Student Branch Chapter was established: Oregon State University.

Representatives from 6 Chapters in Region 6 will join the Chapter Chairs Training with others during the PES General Meeting in Portland, OR in August 5 and received a lot of good information.

As result of such activities 13 Chapters have submitted the IEEE PES Chapters Annual Report / High Performing Chapter Program (HPCP) information for program year 2017 and received funding in the amount of $4,650.

Although more than half of Chapters submitted their annual reports I’ll continue to stimulate Chapter officers to report their activities through HPCP forms. I will also continue to encourage volunteers to be more involved in IEEE PES activities that are of their interest, while expanding their knowledge of IEEE, gaining valuable management and leadership skills, and connecting with others in their profession.

Communication is a key to the region success. The most of our communications are by e-mails. Although offered, phone calls or conference calls are not so popular.

For example, some notable chapter activities and successes are:

  • Hawaii Chapter recognized interesting achievement as IEEE Milestone Award for the “Electric Lighting of the Kingdom of Hawaii 1886-1888”. On March 23, 2018. the Hawaii Chapter organized Milestone Award ceremony to mark the 130th anniversary of electric lighting of the Town of Honolulu since March 23, 1888.
  • Oregon Chapter hosted a tour of a Power System Control Center for 13 Portland State University students. They are also offering CEU’s (Continuing Education Units) to PE’s for those that attend for their licenses.
  • Seattle Chapter organized tour of the Georgetown Steam Plant and Boeing Factory tour. In addition they organized the IEEE Young Professionals Cross-Section Conference Seattle, Vancouver, and Oregon. YP events continued to be organized by their YP representative and their WIP representative. In addition to their amazing job on engaging members in 2018, averaging more than one social or networking event each month, the YP formed their own branch, run their own website, and have attended conferences that Chapter help them attend via sponsorship.
  • Idaho Chapter besides regular monthly technical meetings is organizing traditional Annual picnic – great opportunity for members socializing and networking.
  • Santa Clara Valley Chapter has a stand-alone YP branch in the IEEE Section and they worked closely to YP to host a two day startup pitch event in the Power and Energy Space. It was clear that startup activity in Power and Energy is increasing, well beyond the solar industry that has been so successful in Silicon Valley. The location at the Plug and Play center was a massive incubator, and they had a large turnout:  36 IEEE members and 106 guests.
  • Orange County Engineers in Las Vegas: On January 6 to 8, 2018 The 3rd Annual IEEE Rising Stars conference held in Las Vegas. Here is one photo from this impressive conference.

Let me illustrate some of the significant student chapters’ activities:

  • University of Idaho PES Student Chapter is one of the most active. The chapter raised funds for:
    • 2 students to attend the IEEE Rising Stars meeting in Las Vegas in January 2018,
    • A group of students to attend the Power and Energy Automation Conference in Spokane, WA in March 2018,
    • 4 students to attend the IEEE PES T&D Conference and Expo in Denver, CO in April 2018
    • 2 students to attend the IEEE PES General Meeting in Portland, OR in August 2018,
    • A student Chapter officer will also be attending the 2018 PES Student Congress in Sao Paulo, Brazil in August 24-27, 2018,
    • They also organized tours of Dworshak Dam and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories.
  • Besides regular Chapter meetings Oregon State University PES Student Branch Chapter organized four guest lectures in order to help the professional development of their members and fellow students:
    • In April 5, 2018: Darren Murtaugh (PGE Portland General Electric) was guest lecturer on the topic of Smart Grid,
    • In May 11, 2018: Mr. Martin Stoddard and Dr. Jiajia Song (OS Engineering) were  guest lecturers on a overview of power engineering consulting,
    • In May 21, 2018: Mr. Richard Meier (Electric Power Systems Inc.) was guest lecturer on power system simulation, renewables, and grid controls,
    • In August 10, 2018: Dr. Hashem Nehrir (Montana State University-Bozeman) was guest lecturer on his research work in power system stability,
    • In addition, in June 1, 2018, they organized Industry Field Trip to the Salem, OR Smart Power Center,
  • Portland State University IEEE PES Student Branch Chapter was also very active. Besides their regular meetings they organized several tours of local industry facilities, including:
    • Bonneville Power Administration Dittmer Control Center, Vancouver, WA
    • The PSU subterranean power distribution system, Portland, OR
    • Portland General Electric’s Sullivan Hydro Generation facility, Oregon City, OR
    • Energy Storage Systems battery assembly facility, Wilsonville, OR
  • On the other hand, Oakland East Bay, Alaska and Las Vegas Chapters are reporting struggling with their activities…

Chapters are finding ways to collect money necessary to support their activities.

One good example is from Phoenix, Arizona. They are traditionally organizing yearly Golf Tournament. This is excellent fundraising, socializing and networking event.

In general, the PES Chapters in Region 6 did a great job. It is expecting that the momentum will continue to further improve the chapter activities and provide more benefits to our PES members.