Director’s Welcome It gives me great pleasure to introduce our inaugural CURENT newsletter. This bi-annual publication will inform our members, peers and other stakeholders about significant achievements, upcoming events and other related activities. We are excited about the accomplishments we have made in getting the Center operational and are ready to take on the challenges moving forward. We have already seen anticipated changes in the industry, such as the substantial installation of renewable generation and the rapid switch to natural gas coming on line due to inexpensive shale gas. These changes support our belief in the need for a flexible transmission system that is reliable in operation despite the uncertainties it must face. As we begin our third year of operation, we are ready to take a big step towards our vision of wide area situational awareness and wide area controls during this transformational time for the industry. With the support of the NSF, DOE and our strong membership base, I believe we have the tools to be successful. Please keep reading to find out more about the progress of the Center and send us your feedback so we can continue to improve our communications and strategic planning. Best Wishes, Kevin Tomsovic
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industry corner
U p g ra d e s a n d a d d i t i o n s
C o n s t r u c t i o n o f a n a d d i to n a l 7, 275 s q u a re fe e t o f l a b, re s e a rc h , a n d m e e t i n g s p a ce h a s re ce n t l y b e e n f i n i s h e d a t t h e l e a d i n st i t u te, U T, K n ox v i l l e. I n a l l , fo u r n ew l a b s a n d o n e n ew co n fe re n ce ro o m we re a d d e d fo r C U R E N T ’s u s e. Th i s n ew s p a ce e s t a b l i s h e s t h e ce n te r a s a m a j o r re s e a rc h h u b o n U T ’s c a m p u s , a n d p rov i d e s e n o u g h ro o m to a cco m o d a te ove r 6 0 g ra d u a te - l eve l students. Re a d m o re a b o u t w h a t we ’ ve a d d e d on page 6.
A special welcome to our newest Industry Partners!
newsletter August 2013
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