April 22, 2022

Each year, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) recognizes leaders and innovators who have applied research and technology to benefit their company, industry or society. Twenty FirstEnergy representatives are among the award recipients in 2022, including one employee who is recognized twice.

These Technology Transfer Award recipients used research and technology to solve a significant problem, championed a technology to support the industry, or found better ways to provide electricity to our customers in a safe, affordable, reliable and environmentally responsible way. Recipients were honored for their contributions to EPRI teams in 2021 in the following categories and projects:

Distribution

Standard File Format for Distributed Energy Resource Settings

Shan Sun, engineer IV, Distribution Planning & Protection
James Tobia, engineer V, Distribution Planning & Protection

Shan and James were part of a group developing a common file format for the exchange and storage of configuration settings used by distributed energy resources (DER). The work enables utilities to explain required DER settings to developers; DER developers can provide evidence of as-programmed settings back to the utility; and utilities can store and track DER equipment settings throughout their systems.

 

Electrification

Efficient Electrification Opportunities Evaluated in Buildings, Industry and Transportation to Improve Customer Cost Effectiveness and Reduce Societal Emissions through State Electrification Assessments

Mike Huselton, analyst V, Emerging Technologies Strategy
Michele Somerday, consultant, policy & technology research, Emerging Technologies Strategy

This project provided insights into understanding how a state’s energy system might transform. By modeling and analyzing various scenarios, it explored the potential for adopting and enabling advanced electric technologies in multiple end-use sectors – including buildings, transportation and industry – through the year 2050.

 

Electrification and Customer Solutions

Advanced Heat Pump Demonstrations and Deployments

Brian Bloom, engineer V, Compliance & Development

This project evaluated the performance of variable-capacity heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems – “cold climate” heat pumps that incorporate variable speed components and intelligent controls – for the American residential market. By providing improved heating performance at lower outdoor temperatures, higher overall efficiency, greater customer comfort and improved demand response capability, these systems support efficient electrification and reduce green-house gas emissions in homes traditionally heated by fossil fuels.

 

Information, Communication and Cyber Security

Insider Threat Management Guidebook

Donna Bursick, director, IT Transmission Systems & Compliance
Shannan Garrett, supervisor, Physical Security Technology
Thomas Kostura, supervisor, Transmission Security Operations Center
Christopher Talaski, IT security operations specialist V

To provide recommendations tailored to the unique risks, challenges and nuances facing utility companies, this program management guidebook combines standard insider threat practices and policies from across critical infrastructure sectors, other industries and government with specific utility company knowledge and context. The guidebook helps utility companies gauge their current level of capabilities; understand what should be prioritized to maximize the effectiveness of identifying and mitigating insider threat risks; and plan for future enhancements to the program.

 

Endangered and Protected Species

Power for Pollinators Documentary Film

Crystal Kenmuir, supervisor, Transmission Vegetation Management
Ryan Rehmer, transmission forestry specialist, Transmission Vegetation Management

FirstEnergy collaborated in the creation of a documentary film showcasing the commitment and effort of North American electric power companies to conserve pollinator species and habitats.

 

Transmission

E1 Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) and Hardening of Substations

Aurel Miu, supervisor, engineering services, Design North
Matthew Vacha, manager, Major Equipment

Testing and analysis of substation equipment were conducted to provide performance requirements and installation details for this project. FirstEnergy is developing a pilot project to evaluate equipment deployed in the field. The project will increase our understanding of potential impacts on transmission components following an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) event, and how to mitigate such impacts – while minimizing the risk of unintended consequences from mitigation measures. This will help safeguard the reliability of electric power services should an EMP event occur.

 

Situational Awareness During Extreme Loss of Control Center Capabilities

Keith Berger, manager, transmission operations, System Operations-South
Donna Bursick, director, IT Transmission Systems & Compliance
Andrew Hunter, special assignment, Transmission Operations Services (retired)
David Lake, general manager, Transmission Operations
Joshua McCoy, engineer III, System Operations-South
Barry Mullenax, manager, Energy Management System/Generation Management System Operations
Rodney Phillips, special assignment, Transmission Operations Services
Jason Stan, supervisor, Energy Management System Power Network Analysis

The project provides the foundation for transmission operators to increase system resiliency by developing processes and tools for restoring system observability during high-impact, low frequency events that degrade control center data communication capabilities.