Industry Advisory Board Meeting at UNC Charlotte Highlights Cybersecurity and Grid Resiliency

CHARLOTTE, NC — The Center for Energy Security and Reliability (CESAR) at UNC Charlotte held its first Industry Advisory Board (IAB) meeting at the Energy Production and Infrastructure Center (EPIC). The gathering brought together leaders from academia, industry, and energy sectors, with representation from major organizations such as Duke Energy, SEL, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Trane, Honeywell, Storlytics, ABB, and VAST, alongside prominent university professors and researchers. The meeting centered on discussions of emerging energy infrastructure challenges, with a focus on cybersecurity risks posed by the integration of distributed energy resources (DERs). Participants delved into the complexities of ensuring grid resiliency in the face of increasing cyber threats and evolving energy demands.

A highlight of the meeting was the innovative testbed demonstrations, showcasing cutting-edge technologies and simulations for energy grid resilience and cybersecurity. Dr. Brigid Mullany introduced the LEADERS program, focusing on energy decarbonization and resilient systems, sparking discussions about future course offerings for both students and faculty.