Media turn to ECE experts to explain blackouts

Local and international media relied on COE electrical and computer engineering experts to explain the problems, causes and potential solutions surrounding the big blackout in August. ECE researchers investigate a wide range of issues surrounding power generation and distribution. The following list includes articles that mention ECE researchers:

Professor Robert Lasseter was featured as The New York Times "Quotation of the Day" August 25. "We'll always have blackouts. It's like we'll always have forest fires and automobile accidents." The quote comes from the article, "Technology and brain power used to tame an aging grid."

Associate Professor Ian Hiskens was interviewed for a report broadcast by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and an August 22 article in The New York Times.

Professor and Chair Chris DeMarco was interviewed August 22 on Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's Morning Watch radio show with host Paul Vasey, discussing differences between the U.S. and Ontario, Canada in the speed of power restoration.

Emeritus Professor Fernando Alvarado was quoted in the August 26 article "Experts doubt FirstEnergy could have quit grid," The Plain Dealer (Cleveland).

Professor Ian Dobson was featured in the following articles: "Why the lights went out," National Post, August 16; "Wisconsin company believes blackout originated in Lansing, Mich.," Associated Press, Star Tribune, August 15; Interview on ABC Nightline, August 18; "Californians work to predict grid-crashing," Oakland Tribune, August 26.

Professor Ian Dobson and Power Systems Engineering Research Center Executive Director Dennis Ray, with American Transmission Company representative Donald Morrow and director of Wisconsin Public Utilities Institute (WPUI) Wendy Grapentine, held a news conference for local media organized by WPUI on August 15 at the Fluno Center. Ray was quoted in the August 16 Wisconsin State Journal article, "Wisconsin checks up on its power vulnerability."