(Please be advised that seating is limited for this event and early registration is highly recommended.)

 

Hosted By: NC State University

Location: McKimmon Conference and Training Center – Raleigh, NC

Theme: “Meeting the Needs of the Modern Utility Industry”

 

As the electric power system evolves, loads such as computational and industrial facilities are seeking to connect to the bulk power system (BPS) faster than ever before.  This workshop will focus on describing the challenges and needs with integrating these large loads into the modern grid.  Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss these needs with expert panelists from utility providers, key utility vendors and leading academic researchers.

 

AgendaEastern Time
Wednesday, October 29th, 2025
12:00 - 1:00 pmWorkshop Registration (Lunch On Your Own)
1:00 - 1:15 pmWelcome Statement, Safety Moment, Meeting Objectives & New Member AnnouncementRoom 3
Panel Session - Utility Perspectives (Distribution Challenges)Moderator:
Dr. Robert Cox
UNC Charlotte
EPIC Director
CAPER Director
1:20 - 1:40 pmIssues Surrounding Distribution Interconnection RequestsMicah Till
Dominion Energy
1:40 - 2:00 pmModernizing Our Workforce for Operations and Maintenance of a Modernized GridJohn Hart
Duke Energy
Panel Session - Utility Perspectives (Transmission Challenges)Moderator:
Dr. Valentina Cecchi
UNC Charlotte
EPIC Associate Director
2:00 - 2:25 pmTransmission Planning Challenges with Large Load IntegrationZhangxin Zhou
Dominion Energy
2:25 - 2:45 pmChallenges with Traditional Transmission Line Protection ElementsTaylor Raffield
Duke Energy
2:45 - 3:05 pmBreak
Panel Session - Faculty PerspectivesModerator:
Drew Clarke
Duke Energy,
CAPER Chair & Facilitator
3:05 - 3:25 pmPower System Digital Twin Development and AI Applications for Power System Data AnalysisDr. Ning Lu
NC State University
ECE Department Professor,
CAPER Co-Director
3:25 - 3:45 pmEPIC's Research: Driving Advancements in Grid Technology and InfrastructureDr. Valentina Cecchi
EPIC Associate Director,
Associate Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering
3:45 - 4:05 pmResearch Development and Innovation Strategy for Energy Related TechnologyDr. Johan Enslin
Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
4:05 - 4:50 pmBrainstorming Session - Collective Discussion
4:50 - 5:00 pmDay 1 Wrap-Up & Senior Design Introduction
5:00 - 7:00 pmReception & Poster Session - McKimmon Rooms 2A & 2B
Thursday, October 30th, 2025
8:00 - 8:45 amClosed Meeting- IAB Members
Open to all attendees of companies that are Industry Members of CAPER		Becca Rye
Dominion Energy
CAPER IAB Chair
8:50 - 9:00 amHighlights from Day 1 and Objectives for Day 2Drew Clarke
Duke Energy
CSC Chair & Facilitator
8:00 - 9:00 amWorkshop Registration
9:00 - 9:30 amPD-05: “Inertia Estimation Using Synchrophasor Measurements”Dr. Ramtin Hadidi
CAPER Co-Director
Clemson/UNCC
9:30 - 10:00 amPD-07: “Data Center Load Characterization for Grid Analysis and Planning” Dr. Dingrui Li
Clemson/UNCC
10:00 - 10:30 amPD-06: “A Machine Learning Based Automated Load Model Parameterization Tool”Dr. Ning Lu
CAPER Co-Director
NCSU/Clemson
10:30 - 10:45 amBreak
10:45 - 11:30 amMRA-01-PD/EHP-10-PD: “Improving Power Flow Performance for IVVC Applications on NC Distribution Feeders with DERs”

PD-08: “Bad Data Detection and Investigation of Measurement Schemes to Improve Real-Time Power Flow Performance in Distribution Circuits with Solar Generation”		Dr. Valentina Cecchi
UNCC/NCSU
Panel Session - Industry PerspectivesModerator:
Becca Rye
Dominion Energy
CAPER IAB Chair
11:30 - 11:50 amIntroduction to the ABB US Corporate Research CenterJames Stoupis
ABB
11:50 - 12:10 pmChallenges Faced by Transformer ProducersManan Pandya
Siemens Energy
12:10 - 12:30 pmTaylor Hill
Advanced Energy
12:30 pmAdjourn
12:30 - 1:00 pmCAPER Lunch - All AttendeesRoom 1B
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CAPER | caper-usa.com | Contact: Shannon Jenkins / CAPER Administrator