PEIK Seminar Series

The Power and Energy Institute of Kentucky is pleased to be continuing it’s seminar series* regarding energy issues during the Fall 2012 semester. Details will be provided as they become available. All seminars will be held in RMB 323 from 3:00 to 3:50 pm

November 14 – TVA’s Changing Generation Mix

John J. McCormick Jr., Senior Vice President of River Operations and Renewables, TVA

John McCormick, as Senior Vice President of River Operations and Renewables at TVA, is responsible for the operation and maintenance of TVA’s 29 hydroelectric dams, 20 non-power dams, one pumped-storage plant, 14 navigation locks and over 5,600 MW capacity of renewables in operations.

Special Seminar Luncheon Event

11:30-1:00 pm, Tuesday, October 23, 2012, UK Student Center, Room 359

Lighting Control for Commercial and Industrial Buildings

Steve Watson, Schneider Electric

With industrial buildings consuming 31 percent of our total energy usage, it is no wonder that energy efficiency has become a major focus of today’s egineers and our government policy makers. As indicated in IEEE USA’s National Energy Policy Recommendations, the cheapest and cleanest energy is that which does not have to be produced.

Lunch will be provided, but to help in planning, please either notify Kris Gilbert (859-257-1834, krisgilbert@uky.edu ) that you will attend, or register online. You may also contact Kris Gilbert for additional information.

Special Date and Location

3:00 p.m. Friday, October 19, 2012, W. T. Young Library* Auditorium

Energy Empire:  Russia, Europe, and the Politics of Energy Interdependence

Stacy Closson, PhD, Distinguished Visiting Lecturer, Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce

Dr. Stacy Closson is a Visiting Distinguished Lecturer at the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce. She received her PhD from the London School of Economics and Political Science in International Relations. She came to UKY from the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars in Washington, D.C. where she was a fellow researching Russian energy politics. Dr. Closson was also a Transatlantic Post-Doctoral Fellow in think tanks in Switzerland and Germany.  From 1996-2002 she worked in the US Department of Defense as a political-military analyst, entering as a Presidential Management Fellow, and focusing on the former Soviet states. Dr. Closson has published in several academic and professional journals on energy security, state weakness, and unrecognized states. Her forthcoming book is entitled Energy Empire: Russia, Europe, and the Politics of Energy Interdependence. Dr. Closson was most recently named an “Emerging Leader in Environmental and Energy Policy” by the Atlantic Council in Washington, D.C.

October 3 – Monopolies and Regulators – The Retail Pricing of Electricity

David Samford, Goss Samford, PLLC

David Samford practices law with Goss Samford, PLLC in Lexington, Kentucky.  He previously served as the General Counsel, Deputy Executive Director and Policy Analyst for the Kentucky Public Service Commission.  David has experience in a wide variety of energy and utility law subjects and is a graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Arts and Science and the College of Law.

September 19 – East Kentucky Power Cooperative – Generation Resources and Energy Issues

Craig Johnson, Senior VP for Power Production, Eastern Kentucky Power Cooperative

Mr. Johnson oversees the operation and maintenance of EKPC’s three coal fired power stations, combustion turbine generating station, and six landfill gas renewable energy stations. He has the responsibility for setting the strategy for the generation assets that ensures safe, reliable, environmentally compliant, and economical operations. He is responsible for major construction projects and engineering. He directs a staff of 360 people and has 23 years of experience at East Kentucky Power Cooperative. Johnson holds a Master of Science Degree in Mining Engineering from the University of Kentucky and is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Kentucky. He has served as Production Engineer, Project Manager, Plant Manager, and Vice President prior to being promoted to Senior Vice President in January of 2010.

Spring 2012

February 22 – Fracture Stimulation in Kentucky

Brandon C. Nuttall, Geologist, Kentucky Geological Survey, University of Kentucky

Brandon Nuttall received a BS in Geology from Eastern Kentucky University in 1975. He joined the Kentucky Geological Survey 34 years ago where he concentrates on oil and natural gas resources, activity and development, database and GIS, and related research.

March 21 – Policy Decisions for Uncertain Times

Greg Pauley, President & COO, AEP – Kentucky Power Co.

Greg Pauley is president and chief operating officer for Kentucky Power. As president he oversees distribution operations serving 175,000 AEP customers in Eastern Kentucky as well as the operating unit’s safety, customer services, marketing, communications, community affairs, governmental affairs and regulatory functions.  Pauley was previously director – Public Policy for AEP since 2006, working on policy issues impacting the electric utility industry on a national level.

March 28 – Introduction to the Power Market

Dr. Yuan Liao, Assc. Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, UK

This seminar provides an introduction to the electric power market structure, plus modeling and simulation. Major power markets in the United States are introduced. Both electricity pricing based on the security-constrained unit commitment and the economic dispatch process are illustrated.

Dr. Yuan Liao is currently an associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Kentucky. He is also the Associate Director for the Graduate Program of the Power and Energy Institute of Kentucky. His research interests include smart grid and renewable energy.

*Each seminar is worth one Professional Development Hour (PDH) for industry and professional participants. Participants wanting to receive certificates for Professional Development Hours should sign in on the request form at the seminar.