Activities in IEEE PES Region 6 with an emphasis on a San Francisco workshop and celebration of Spokane 105th anniversary

The IEEE PES Region 6 has 24 chapters in the western U.S. and 4 of these chapters are joint chapters. In addition, there are 11 Student PES branches established in the Region 6.

Geographically, it covers 12 states of the USA, in particular: the states of HI, AK, WA, MT, OR, ID, WY, CA, NV, UT, AZ, and NM.

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

IEEE Region 6

Since our last report in august 2018 two significant events happened. One was the Second Power Grid Workshop on June 3 and 4, 2019 at San Ramon, CA titled: Challenges and Opportunities of the Ever Evolving Power Grid. It was a continuation of the first workshop: Distributed Energy Resources held in San Francisco, CA in 2017. This workshop expanded topics to:

  • High Renewable Penetration,
  • Autonomous Decision Making,
  • Power with Artificial Intelligence, and
  • Autonomous Decision Making.

More and more renewable resources are interconnected into the power grid, both at transmission and distribution levels. Load becomes smarter and load pattern changed. Internet soon may connect everything. At the same time, power grid is treated by cyber hackers and extreme weather conditions. All the changes strike the power grid and force it to evolve faster than ever before.

Intention of this workshop was to provide a forum for all stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities that the ever-evolving electric power grid is facing. 124 industry experts came to share their knowledge, vision, and best practices to turn challenges into opportunities. In addition, it was an excellent networking opportunity for all participants.

Pictures taken during visit to Upper Falls Power Plant in Spokane

Another significant event was the celebration of IEEE Spokane 105th Anniversary.

IEEE members, students and guests in conjunction with NW area meeting, joined IEEE Spokane on October 5 and 6, 2018 to celebrate their 105th anniversary. Highlights included 105th Anniversary Dinner, a tour of the Avista Upper Falls Power Plant, led by PES Chair Glen Farmer (pictured above), and a fall color and art walk in Riverfront Park. The two day event was enjoyed by over 75 participants and friends of IEEE Spokane.

Earlier, on July 19, IEEE PES Spokane chapter organized Summer Party to recognize this significant IEEE milestone.

Naim Logic
IEEE PES Region 6 Representative