I recently joined the North American SynchroPhasor Initiative (NASPI) community for its Working Group meeting where industry representatives, researchers, and vendors gathered to share lessons learned and discuss advances in a technology that is a core component of a modernized power grid. Synchrophasors, which use systems of phasor measurement units (PMUs) to measure electric power system values and time-synchronize it using GPS satellites, provide system operators with a near real-time snapshot of the grid’s operating status. OE partners with the Electric Power Research Institute to support NASPI in its work to the deployment and use of these invaluable devices and for the development of important applications such as wide-area monitoring, power system planning, and forensic analysis of grid disturbances.
For the third year in a row, NASPI recognized the significant accomplishments and contributions of its members. I had the honor of participating in the awards ceremony and meeting individuals who are playing a vital role in helping to improve the reliability and resiliency of the nation’s grid. This year’s awardees are listed below. I am pleased to note that Phil Overholt here in the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability received an award for recognizing the potential of synchrophasor technology to improve grid operations and reliability, skillfully managing a strong R&D program and investments to accelerate its maturity and use. Phil’s award said “Synchrophasor technology would not exist today without Phil’s vision and guidance.” I also appreciate the recognition that I received.
On behalf of the Department of Energy, I want to again say congratulations and thank you to the award winners for their commitment, innovation, and hard work that are helping us – collectively – continue advancing our electricity delivery system!
- Outstanding Utility -- Power Grid Corporation of India, Ltd.
- Volunteer of the Year -- Marianna Vaiman, V&R Energy Systems Research
- Volunteer of the Year -- Shaun Murphy, PJM
- Distinguished Service -- David Bertagnolli, ISO-New England
- Control Room Solutions Task Team Most Valuable Players -- Slava Maslennikov, Frankie Zhang & Xiaochuan Luo (ISO-New England) and Kai Sun & Bin Wang (University of Tennessee at Knoxville)
- Control Room Solutions Task Team Most Valuable Player -- Marianna Vaiman, V&R Energy
- Data & Network Management Task Team Most Valuable Player -- James Ritchie Carroll, Grid Protection Alliance
- Engineering Analysis Task Team Most Valuable Player -- Dr. Raymond de Callafon, University of California – San Diego
- Engineering Analysis Task Team Most Valuable Players -- Dr. Harold Kirkham (PNNL) & Dr. Mani Venkatasubramanian (Washington State University)
- Performance Requirements, Standards & Verification Task Team Most Valuable Player -- Ray M. Hayes, R. M. Hayes, LLC
- Outstanding Graduate Student (1) -- Ahad Esmaeilian, Texas A&M
- Outstanding Graduate Student (2) -- Deepak Ramasubramanian, Arizona State University
- Outstanding Graduate Student (3) -- Gefei “Derek” Kou, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
- Synchrophasor Technology Champion – Phil Overholt, Program Manager, U.S. Department of Energy
- Synchrophasor Technology Champion – Patricia Hoffman, Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy
Patricia A. Hoffman
Acting Assistant Secretary, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Electricity
Former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Electricity (OE) at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Ms. Patricia A. Hoffman also served as Acting Under Secretary for Science and Energy from January 2017 until November 2017 when the U.S. Senate confirmed Mark Menezes as Under Secretary of Energy. Ms. Hoffman served as Acting Assistant Secretary for OE from January 2017 until October 2017 when the OE Assistant Secretary was confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
Ms. Hoffman was named Assistant Secretary for OE from June 2010 to January 2017, after serving as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary since November 2007. The focus of her responsibility was to provide leadership on a national level to modernize the electric grid, enhance the security and reliability of the energy infrastructure and facilitate recovery from disruptions to the energy supply both domestically and internationally. This is critical to meeting the Nation’s growing demand for reliable electricity by overcoming the challenges of our Nation’s aging electricity transmission and distribution system and addressing the vulnerabilities in our energy supply chain.
Prior to her this position, Ms. Hoffman served in a dual capacity as Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for Research and Development (R&D) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) within OE. During her tenure as the DAS for R&D, she developed the long-term research strategy and improved the management portfolio of research programs for modernizing and improving the resiliency of the electric grid. This included developing and implementing sensors and operational tools for wide-area monitoring, energy storage research and demonstration, and the development of advanced conductors to increase the capacity and flexibility of the grid. She also initiated a new research effort focused on integrating and distributing renewable energy through the electric grid, such as promoting plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and implementing smart grid technologies to maintain system reliability. As COO, she managed the OE business operations, including human resources, budget development, financial execution, and performance management.
Prior to joining OE, she was the Program Manager for the Federal Energy Management Program within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at DOE. This program guides the Federal government to “lead by example” promoting energy efficiency, renewable energy, and smart energy management. Complementing her building energy efficiency experience, she also was the Program Manager for the Distributed Energy Program, which conducted research on advanced natural gas power generation and combined heat and power systems. Her accomplishments included the successful completion of the Advanced Turbine System program resulting in a high-efficiency industrial gas turbine power generation product.
Ms. Hoffman holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Ceramic Science and Engineering from Pennsylvania State University.