Track 4: Power Engineering: Abstracts and Biographies



Track 4, Combined Sessions 1, 2, & 3:  8:30am-Noon



Power Industry Deregulation Panel

Moderated by

Robert Krause, Public Utility Consultant


Panelists:

Paul Cunningham, President, The Altus Group (Industrial Co. Panelist)
Kevern Joyce, CEO, Texas-NewMexico Power Co. (Utility Co. Panelist)
Trudy Utter, Vice-President, Tenaska (Power Marketing Panelist)

Abstract: This session will feature an introduction to the issues of deregulation from Robert Krause, and presentations from the panelists on the various issues. The session will end with a panel discussion on deregulation.

Biographies: Coming Soon

Return to TechCon Schedule


Track 4, Session 4:  1:30-2:30pm



Safe Electrical Engineering

by

Dr. Lloyd B. Gordon, UTA

Abstract: Electrical engineers tend to develop their expertise with pencil and paper, or nowadays, with the computer, oblivious to the fact that electricity kills and injures thousands of users every year. Yes, electricity can be a very dangerous byproduct of our modern technology. This presentation will focus on the design, procedural, and regulatory aspects of safe electrical engineering. A summary of the various hazards of electricity will be presented relative to consumer products, electrical generation and transmission, and electricity in the R&D laboratory.
Biography: Dr. Gordon graduated with his Ph.D. in EE in 1981 from Texas Tech University. He worked for the Department of Energy at Lawrence Livermore National Labs, at Auburn Univerisity, and is currently a member of the faculty of Electrical Engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington. His fields of research include pulsed power, dielectric materials, compact power sources, space power, and electrical safety. As a result of working with very dangerous forms of electrical energy he has been involved, for 15 years, in promoting and teaching in electrical safety. He has lectured to, and trained over 15,000 R&D electrical workers and has a working knowledge of most all aspects of electrical safety from consumer safety (e.g., UL), government requirements (e.g., OSHA), professional guidelines (e.g., IEEE's NESC), and laboratory safety.

Return to TechCon Schedule


Track 4, Session 5:  2:45-3:45am



Power Load Forecasting by Neural Networks

by

Dr. Alireza Khotanzad, SMU

Abstract: The quality of short term hourly load forecasts with lead times ranging from one hour to several days ahead has a significant impact on the efficiency of the operation of any electric utility since many potentially costly decisions such as economic scheduling of generating capacity, scheduling of fuel purchases, system security assessment, and planning for energy transactions are based on such forecasts. The importance of accurate load forecasts will increase in the future because of dramatic changes occurring in the structure of the electric utility industry due to deregulation and competition. This environment compels the utilities to operate at the highest possible efficiency which, as indicate above, requires accurate load forecasts.

In this session, we will discuss a highly successful artificial neural network (ANN) based short term hourly load forecaster known as "ANNSTLF." ANNSTLF which has been developed for the Electric Power Research Institute is the premier load forecasting program in the nation with over 40 users. The details of the forecasting engine, features of the program, and results of performance studies will be presented.

Biography: Alireza Khotanzad received the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, in 1983. He joined the faculty of the Department of Electrical Engineering at Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, in 1984, where he is currently an Associate Professor. Dr. Khotanzad's research interests include artificial neural networks and their applications to various forecasting problems, pattern recognition, and signal and image processing. He is an Associate Editor for Pattern Recognition and served as an Associate Editor for the IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks from 1995 to 1997.

Dr. Khotanzad received the SMU School of of Engineering and Applied Science Outstanding Graduate Professor Award in 1993 and 1996. He also was the recipient of the SMU Sigma Xi Outstanding Faculty Research Award in 1995. He was elected as the IEEE Dallas Section Engineer of the Year in 1998. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Texas.

Return to TechCon Schedule


Track 4, Session 6:  4:00-5:00am



Power Distribution in Industrial and Municipal Facilities

by

Thomas F. Safford, P.E., Black & Veatch

Abstract: This talk will cover power distribution issues in the design of industrial facilities and municipal facilities. The art of selecting a distribution system for a facility will be discussed, and the various considerations will be presented: Type of system ( radial, loop etc.), Voltage (15 kV, 600 volt etc.), Protection (relaying, fuses, coordination etc.).


Biography: Mr. Safford is responsible for all electrical engineering and design for projects performed in the Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, and Ft. Worth offices of Black & Veatch.  His work has included design of municipal and industrial facilities.  Mr. Safford is experienced in the design of high, medium, and low voltage distribution systems: co-generation; SCADA and control systems: emergency power systems; lighting systems; hazardous area applications; and electrical systems studies.  Mr. Safford has a BSEE degree from UT El Paso, is a licensed Professional Engineer in Texas, Mississippi, & Oklahoma, and has worked for Black & Veatch since 1985.

Return to TechCon Schedule