UNC Charlotte’s NSF REU Participant Completes Solar HIL Testbed Project

In a notable achievement within the realm of smart and secure computing, Nicholas Wind-McJetters, a dedicated student from Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC), has successfully contributed to the solar Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testbed project at UNC Charlotte’s Center for Energy Security and Reliability(CESAR) Research Project. This project, part of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site on Smart and Secure Computing, underscores the integration of cutting-edge research with practical applications in energy security.

Nicholas Wind-McJetters, who is actively involved in the NSF REU program, played a pivotal role in setting up the Solar HIL testbed. His responsibilities included both the initial setup and conducting preliminary experiments critical to the project’s success. This work is central to advancing our understanding of solar energy systems and enhancing their security measures.

The solar HIL testbed, a sophisticated simulation environment, enables researchers to test and validate solar energy systems under various scenarios. Nicholas’s contribution involved meticulous setup procedures and penetration testing of home solar systems, ensuring the robustness and reliability of the technology in real-world conditions.

Working closely with Dr. Meera Sridhar & Dr. Robert Cox, Nicholas’s efforts have been instrumental in the ongoing research at the Center for Energy Security and Reliability (CESAR). His work not only supports the immediate objectives of the REU program but also contributes to the broader goals of improving energy security and system resilience.

The completion of this project highlights the significance of undergraduate research experiences in fostering the next generation of innovators and researchers. The collaboration between UNC Charlotte and CPCC, facilitated through the NSF REU program, exemplifies the successful integration of academic and practical experiences.

For more information about the NSF REU Site on Smart and Secure Computing and ongoing research projects, please visit Research Experiences for Undergraduates UNC Charlotte’s College of Computing and Informatics.