Frank C. Lambert, Georgia Tech — NEETRAC, Forest Park, GA, USA

Humans of IEEE PES refers to a dedicated PES volunteer who is well known for his/her notable contribution to IEEE PES. In this issue of IEEE PES Enews, Frank C. Lambert, 2020-21 PES President is selected as the Humans of IEEE PES. In his mind “Our major issues now are dealing with impacts from the Corona Virus”. Being the President of IEEE PES, his goal is to “help engage the next generation to meet all of the changes coming our way.” Frank is a Principal Research Engineer at Georgia Tech’s Center for Distributed Energy (CDE) and National Electric Energy Testing Research and Applications Center (NEETRAC). He previously worked at Georgia Power Company for 22 years in transmission/distribution system design, construction, operation, maintenance and automation. We are very pleased to include an exclusive interview of Frank C. Lambert.

PES eNews:
Q1. Please give us a brief introduction about yourself and your family.

Frank C. Lambert
I’m current retired but working at Georgia Tech in the Center for Distributed Energy (CDE) and the National Electric Energy Testing, Research and Applications Center (NEETRAC) and also serving as the 2020-2021 PES President. I grew up in Palmetto and went to high school in Fairburn, Georgia. My favorite sport was football, not because I played but because I was in the high school marching band. My hobby has always been the outdoors: fishing, boating, hunting, shooting, hiking, backpacking, camping, etc. I was also a Boy Scout and eventually made it to Eagle Scout. I also became a licensed Amateur Radio (HAM) operator while in high school.

I started dating my future wife while I was a senior at Georgia Tech and we were married one year after graduation in 1974. Our first child was a daughter in 1977 followed by two sons, one in 1978 and one in 1983. We now have two grandsons ages 6 and 9.

PES eNews:
Q2. Please tell us something interesting about your student life that may be the reason you have chosen engineering school.

Frank C. Lambert
I was always interested in anything electrical growing up. My grandfather Lambert came to Fairburn, Georgia in the early 1900’s with a construction company building the transmission line and substation to electrify the city. He met a young lady in the telephone switchboard office who turned out to be my grandmother and became the city’s first electrical superintendent. Maybe I inherited my love for electrical power systems from him.

PES eNews:
Q3. When and why did you decide to start your career in the areas of power and energy?

Frank C. Lambert
In my junior year at Georgia Tech, I took electives both in telecom and power. In my senior year I interviewed with companies in both areas and decided to join Georgia Power Company where I started as a field distribution engineer. This option seemed best at the time and I’ve also been able to incorporate my other interest area, communications technology, as we developed distribution automation technologies in the 1990’s.

PES eNews:
Q4. You worked 22 years at Georgia Power Corporation. What is your evaluation about the job at power industry?

Frank C. Lambert
There’s never been a time like today in the electric utility sector. Everything’s changing…the way we make it, the way we move it, the way we use it and the way we sell it…so many changes happening at the same time. The power industry definitely needs fresh, new talent to be able to address and integrate all of the changes that are coming. One big change that has occurred since my days…most utilities are not staffing up their technical areas and are depending much more on outside consultants.

PES eNews:
Q5. Tell us something about your current role as Principal Research Engineer at Georgia Tech’s Center for Distributed Energy (CDE) and. What are the most challenges you feel in the areas of transmission and distribution.

Frank C. Lambert
I joined Georgia Tech in 1996 with the donation of Georgia Power’s T&D Research Laboratory. We started a new Research Center in ECE called the National Electric Energy Testing Research and Applications Center (NEETRAC) with ten industrial members from both utilities and manufactures.

The focus of NEETRAC is to address the concerns of our now 39 members in the T&D space. Major concerns today are asset management issues with T&D components / equipment and the changes coming with integration of microgrids into the grid.

PES eNews:
Q6. Being a passionate volunteer, tell us about your most significant volunteer contribution. Is there any specific story behind that contribution? Do you want to mention any name behind you or (behind your journey as a volunteer) served as a mentor or source of inspiration?

Frank C. Lambert
My most significant volunteer contribution has been in Haiti. My first trip in 2013 opened my eyes to the tremendous needs of most Haitians…all of the basic necessities that we take for granted (food, water, electricity, etc.). I came back and shared my experiences with our GT PES Student Branch Chapter in 2014 and two students volunteered to go with me to design a PV system for a new medical center being built off-grid in the mountains in Thoman. We came back with a plan, solicited donations, and returned in May 2016 with 22 GT students to install the system.

We then teamed with the Georgia Haitian American Chamber of Commerce to identify 16 local Haitians for training in PV systems and business practices. We returned in May 2018 to conduct the training and deliver 25 hut level PV systems to local residents. The work has continued to optimize the hut PV system and also to install several other PV systems in three schools and two churches. The team also developed PV systems to support solar sewing to improve the economic conditions for some of the women. Our 11th trip to Haiti to install a PV system for a Malnutrition Center had to be canceled last fall due to the demonstrations and violence. It is still on hold waiting for conditions to improve.

PES eNews:
Q7. I remember your tremendous effort as a VP Chapters in PES BOG. What is your evaluation about the Chapter Health? Do you feel that apart from increase in number of chapters, we need close monitoring on existing PES chapters to ensure maximum member engagement and satisfaction?

Frank C. Lambert
I previously served as PES VP for Chapters from 2014-2017 and do believe PES Chapters are the foundation of our Society. Chapters are the place where the majority of our members receive benefits.

Our current VP for Chapters, Mazana Armstrong, has developed and implemented a Chapter Health Index to identify Chapters needing assistance. These Chapters will be provided access to Distinguished Lecturers and other resources to help them improve their services to our members locally.

PES eNews:
Q8. We all know that you are very popular among the young PES volunteers as well as professionals. In your opinion, what are the most important factors to become a successful volunteer and which things should be avoided by a good volunteer?

Frank C. Lambert
Good volunteers must be dedicated and be able to work together in a spirit of teamwork for the success of the cause!

Volunteers should avoid things that bring division and not just focus on their own contributions.

PES eNews:
Q9. What inspired you to run the IEEE PES President Election? Share us some interesting event during the election. What were your main agenda during the election campaign?

Frank C. Lambert
PES has always been very important to me and my career. I started as an IEEE member while I was still in college and then became involved in my local PES Chapter when I began working at Georgia Power Company. I became a Chapter officer in 1991 and then moved from treasurer to secretary to vice chair and finally to chair. Our Chapter was selected that year as the Outstanding Chapter, not because of me, but because of our great leadership team.

I never had any aspirations to run for PES President, but finally agreed to be able to give back to the Society that has been a great part of my career. We must work together to get the next generation involved and taking an active part in the leadership roles in PES as we move forward. Probably the most important transition is from student member to PES member. This is where we need to focus and demonstrate the value of PES.

PES eNews:
Q10. You have just started your responsibility as a PES President.
(i) Tell us about some new initiatives that have been taken or planned by you.
(ii) Mention one or two major weaknesses (or areas to be monitored).
(iii) Tell us your main goal or target as a PES President.

Frank C. Lambert
(i)—Engaging the Next Generation of Students and Young Professionals in our Society.

—Facilitating teamwork with our academic and practitioner members to develop standards to integrate renewable resources / storage into the grid while improving reliability and resiliency; lowering costs and maintaining safety.

—Providing high quality education services and publications to drive the research and deliver actionable results, products and standards to the industry.

I plan to work together with our Governing Board to discuss, develop, approve and implement these new initiatives. Together we are much better than working as individuals.

(ii) Our major issues now are dealing with impacts from the Corona Virus on many of our planned meetings and events. This is taking precedence over all other issues.

(iii) My goal is to continue to grow PES membership and activities and help engage the next generation to meet all of the changes coming our way.

PES eNews:
Q11. Do you think that PES needs more industry engagement, especially in chapters located outside USA?

Frank C. Lambert
Industry engagement varies based on IEEE Regions. It is fairly strong in Regions 1-7 but definitely needs attention in Regions 8-10. My approach is to work together with our partners like CIGRE to jointly engage and serve our members.

PES eNews:
Q12. Many member benefits of PES are being offered from a long period of time. In order to satisfy the needs of new generation, do you think radical changes in service modes of PES (e.g. conference/journal mode of PES) are required?

Frank C. Lambert
Great question…I do believe we definitely need input from the “new generation” and make the appropriate changes to get them involved and to meet their needs.

PES eNews:
Q13. By 2050, you want to dream IEEE PES in what position?

Frank C. Lambert
IEEE PES has been and should continue to be the global leader in standards, education, conferences and publications. We do need to make appropriate changes as needed to address all of the changes taking place in our industry.

Interview Coordination
Dr. Shaikh Fattah
Editor, IEEE PES Enews Update