{"669489":{"#nid":"669489","#data":{"type":"news","title":"New NEETRAC Director Joe Hagerman Aims for Center to Lead Amid Power Grid Transformation","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAs the nation\u0027s power grid undergoes a transformative shift with historic investment in clean energy, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/joseph-hagerman\u0022\u003EJoe Hagerman\u003C\/a\u003E understands the importance of this moment for the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.neetrac.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ENational Electric Energy Testing, Research and Applications Center\u003C\/a\u003E (NEETRAC). It presents the center with a distinct opportunity to showcase expertise, drive progress, and actively shape the future of the grid.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ENEETRAC, a leading research and testing resource for the electric energy industry, housed under the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech School of Electrical and Computer Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E (ECE), has announced the appointment of Hagerman as its director, starting June 1.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cUnder the leadership of former Director Rick Hartlein, NEETRAC has established itself as a trusted authority in testing and research for the electric power industry,\u201d said Hagerman. \u201cThanks to this reputation, we are now poised to take a leading role in the country\u0027s de-carbonization and re-electrification priorities. The potential for strengthening our ties with the Institute, the state of Georgia, and federal entities is a once in a lifetime opportunity.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EHagerman joins NEETRAC after directing the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/epicenter.energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EEnergy, Policy, and Innovation Center\u003C\/a\u003E (EPICenter), a division of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/energy\u0022\u003EStrategic Energy Institute\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EPrior to Georgia Tech, Hagerman served as a section head at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ornl.gov\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer\u0022\u003EU.S. Department of Energy\u2019s Oak Ridge National Laboratory\u003C\/a\u003E. He also has served as the deputy chief scientist of the ;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.electric.coop\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer\u0022\u003ENational Rural Electric Cooperative Association\u003C\/a\u003E and as a senior policy advisory at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/eere\/office-energy-efficiency-renewable-energy\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer\u0022\u003EU.S. Office of Energy\u2019s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAs NEETRAC prepares for the next phase of its journey, Joe\u0027s passion, visionary approach, and bridge-building abilities will be indispensable for success,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/directory\/arijit-raychowdhury\u0022\u003EArijit Raychowdhury\u003C\/a\u003E, professor and Steve W. Chaddick School Chair in ECE. \u201cHis policy work and technical expertise in grid systems speak for themselves, especially regarding emerging areas like renewables, connected equipment, and cybersecurity. I\u2019m thrilled to have Joe leading the way.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003EThe Right Time for Growth\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe domestic demand for electricity continues to steadily rise because of the government\u0027s ambitious renewable and carbon-free energy objectives, the increased electrification of transportation and heating, and the growing demand for digitally connected devices.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAdd this to an aging power grid, and incentives and investments for making the grid stronger and more resilient are at an all-time high for the electric power industry.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EHagerman looks to leverage his governmental research reputation and knowledge of the Georgia Tech landscape to enhance NEETRAC\u0027s existing strengths and explore new opportunities. He seeks to establish new connections \u2014 both inside and outside of the Institute \u2014 for the center, enabling it to effectively drive innovation and address the evolving needs of the industry.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe power grid stands as a remarkable feat of human engineering, and its sheer physical scale is incredible,\u201d said Hagerman. \u201cIncorporating changes is not as simple as flipping a switch. It requires extensive knowledge and countless hours of rigorous testing. Thankfully, NEETRAC and Georgia Tech possess an abundance of expertise \u2014 and a world class staff \u2014 that can be harnessed to navigate these challenges successfully.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003EAn Invaluable Industry Resource\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFor more than 25 years, NEETRAC \u2014 located just south of the Atlanta campus, near the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport \u2014 has played a vital role in facilitating collaboration between the electric energy industry and academia.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EEverything connected to the power grid \u2014 even power poles to bucket trucks \u2014 can be tested and researched at the center. NEETRAC\u2019s experienced engineers and technicians seek to deliver innovative, effective solutions to all problems related to the transmission and distribution of electric energy.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAs a membership-supported center, NEETRAC\u0027s member companies comprise utilities that represent around 65% of U.S. electric customers, along with manufacturers who contribute significantly to the products and services offered in the electric utility industry.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cNEETRAC is much more than a testing laboratory to us,\u201d said Sherif Kamel, vice president of New Product Development at\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.southwire.com\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer\u0022\u003ESouthwire\u003C\/a\u003E, a NEETRAC member organization. \u201cThe deep knowledge and expertise that NEETRAC uses to support our industry\u2019s needs is unparalleled.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThis diverse membership base promotes collaboration and knowledge exchange, keeping NEETRAC at the forefront of industry challenges, advancements, and opportunities.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESherif, NEETRAC\u0027s advisory board chair and a member of the search committee that recommended Hagerman, stated that NEETRAC\u0027s staff and facilities aid Southwire in developing, improving, and supporting customers. Additionally, the center enhances the credibility and proficiency of the company\u0027s test results. Southwire was founded in 1937 by Roy Richards, a graduate of Georgia Tech, and is a NEETRAC founding member.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Ch4\u003EFuture Potential\u003C\/h4\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EHagerman stressed that with so much uncertainty regarding the future of the domestic power grid, one thing is clear: To evolve NEETRAC will need to enhance its relationship with the industry and scale to help its current and future members throughout North America.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThere\u2019s excitement in not knowing how everything will unfold,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s important for us to be nimble and ready to adapt, but to also use our position to anticipate the needs of our members and provide value and insights to our partners.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAccording to Hagerman, the future services of NEETRAC could be driven by several important factors, namely the integration of renewable energy sources, ensuring the security of the grid both in physical and cyber aspects, and harnessing the power of big data.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EInvesting and expanding in the expertise of NEETRAC\u0027s skilled scientists and engineers, its technical staff, and its administrative staff is arguably the most crucial approach to meeting the uncertain demands of the future.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cBy nurturing the talents and skills of the team and by incorporating an inclusive approach, we all work toward the shared future of NEETRAC and the Institute. We are all one Georgia Tech,\u201d said Hagerman. \u201cNEETRAC\u2019s role in that future is defined by its cutting-edge evaluations, its world class research, and its continued support of innovation for a resilient and secure domestic power grid for all.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAs the nation\u0027s power grid undergoes a transformative shift with historic investment in clean energy, Joe Hagerman understands the importance of this moment for the National Electric Energy Testing, Research and Applications Center (NEETRAC).\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"As the nation\u0027s power grid undergoes a transformative shift with historic investment in clean energy, Joe Hagerman understands the importance of this moment for the National Electric Energy Testing, Research and Applications Center (NEETRAC)."}],"uid":"27338","created_gmt":"2023-09-06 17:37:13","changed_gmt":"2023-09-06 17:41:05","author":"Brent Verrill","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2023-05-25T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2023-05-25T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"671616":{"id":"671616","type":"image","title":"NEETRAC Meeting_150_cropped.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe NEETRAC advisory board meeting on May 17, at Georgia Tech. New NEETRAC Director Joe Hagerman (front row, second to left) was introduced to the board during the meetings.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","created":"1694021938","gmt_created":"2023-09-06 17:38:58","changed":"1694021938","gmt_changed":"2023-09-06 17:38:58","alt":"The NEETRAC advisory board meeting on May 17, at Georgia Tech. New NEETRAC Director Joe Hagerman (front row, second to left) was introduced to the board during the meetings.","file":{"fid":"254710","name":"NEETRAC Meeting_150_cropped.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2023\/09\/06\/NEETRAC%20Meeting_150_cropped.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2023\/09\/06\/NEETRAC%20Meeting_150_cropped.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":706928,"path_740":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2023\/09\/06\/NEETRAC%20Meeting_150_cropped.jpg?itok=FLOF33wx"}}},"media_ids":["671616"],"groups":[{"id":"244191","name":"Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems"},{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"188360","name":"go-bbiss"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EDan Watson\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["dwatson@ece.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}