UMBC Eminent Scholar Program

Smart Distribution Systems

Dr. Karen Butler-Purry
Texas A&M University

11:00-12:00 Thursday, 13 March 2014, ITE 325B

Smart Grid refers to the computerizing of the grid via the addition of monitoring, analysis, control, and communication capabilities to improve its reliability, efficiency, and security. Smart meter devices, that include sensors to gather data and two-way digital communication between the smart meters in the field and the utility’s grid operations center, are associated with the grid. The smart grid can take advantage of new technologies, such as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, various forms of renewable and conventional distributed generation, lighting management systems, automation technology that lets the utility adjust and control each individual device or millions of devices from a central location, and many more. This presentation will discuss some of the current research projects being investigated by Butler-Purry’s group on smart distributions systems, in grid or island operation. One project investigates the impact of cyber attacks on the operation of smart distribution systems. The second project developed two new approaches to enhance the protection of smart distribution systems. One approach uses smart meters during distribution planning to improve selectivity of protection, and the other approach uses smart meters during operation to improve the sensitivity of protection.

Karen L. Butler-Purry, PhD, PE, is Associate Provost for Graduate and Professional Studies and Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Texas A&M University where she has served on the faculty since 1994. She received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering in 1985 from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She was awarded a M.S. degree in 1987 from the University of Texas at Austin and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering in 1994 from Howard University in Washington, D.C. Her research interests are in the areas of protection and control of distribution systems and isolated power systems such as all electric power systems for ships, mobile grids, and microgrids; cybersecurity protection; and intelligent systems for equipment deterioration and fault diagnosis.

Host: Prof. Gymama Slaughter, Sorry, you need javascript to view this email address.

UMBC Eminent Scholar Program

Smart Distribution Systems

Dr. Karen Butler-Purry
Texas A&M University

11:00-12:00 Thursday, 13 March 2014, ITE 325B

Smart Grid refers to the computerizing of the grid via the addition of monitoring, analysis, control, and communication capabilities to improve its reliability, efficiency, and security. Smart meter devices, that include sensors to gather data and two-way digital communication between the smart meters in the field and the utility’s grid operations center, are associated with the grid. The smart grid can take advantage of new technologies, such as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, various forms of renewable and conventional distributed generation, lighting management systems, automation technology that lets the utility adjust and control each individual device or millions of devices from a central location, and many more. This presentation will discuss some of the current research projects being investigated by Butler-Purry’s group on smart distributions systems, in grid or island operation. One project investigates the impact of cyber attacks on the operation of smart distribution systems. The second project developed two new approaches to enhance the protection of smart distribution systems. One approach uses smart meters during distribution planning to improve selectivity of protection, and the other approach uses smart meters during operation to improve the sensitivity of protection.

Karen L. Butler-Purry, PhD, PE, is Associate Provost for Graduate and Professional Studies and Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Texas A&M University where she has served on the faculty since 1994. She received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering in 1985 from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She was awarded a M.S. degree in 1987 from the University of Texas at Austin and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering in 1994 from Howard University in Washington, D.C. Her research interests are in the areas of protection and control of distribution systems and isolated power systems such as all electric power systems for ships, mobile grids, and microgrids; cybersecurity protection; and intelligent systems for equipment deterioration and fault diagnosis.

Host: Prof. Gymama Slaughter, Sorry, you need javascript to view this email address.

Critical Social Justice scoffs in the face of snow delays — we are unstoppable. Two of the CSJ events that were postponed on Monday have been rescheduled for next Monday, March 10th. Read on for more details and we hope to see everyone there to continue engaging with these important social justice issues!

Critical Social Justice 101 – 4-5:30pm in UC Ballroom Lounge – What is critical social justice? What challenges and possibilities exist for social justice activism? And what does that mean within an academic setting? Find out more at this roundtable led by Dr. Kate Drabinski (Gender + Women’s Studies), Lisa Gray (the Mosaic Center), student and activist Crystal Ogar, and Dr. Joby Taylor (Shriver Center). (Event sponsored by: Critical Social Justice) Facebook myUMBC 

Just Kids: The Automatic Prosecution of Youth as Adults in Maryland – 7-9pm in UC 310 – Following a screening of the new documentary The Truth About Our Youth, Just Kids Youth Leaders Kevin J. and Richard R. and Assistant Youth Organizer Jabriera H. will share their personal stories to bring statistics to life and dispel misconceptions about youth who are charged as adults. Learn more about this important issue here. (Event sponsored by: The Just Kids Partnership, a collaboration between Community Law in Action and the Public Justice Center) Facebook myUMBC

Every year the President of the United States of America creates presidential proclamation to officially announce March as Irish-American Heritage Month. In the proclamation the President calls upon Americans to "observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities and programs." On February 28, 2014, President Barack Obama released the presidential proclamation for Irish-American Month, 2014. In it, he touched on the shared heritage and ideals of Ireland and America shown through the "many threads of green woven into red, white and blue." Irish-American Heritage month coincides with the well-known Irish national holiday, St. Patrick's Day, which is on March 17. 

Image source: http://deannelson.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Irish_Flag12-300x225.jpg

On-Campus Interviews (OCI)

Did you know that UMBC offers the opportunity to interview with employers for full-time, career-related positions right here on campus?

 For a list of companies and the dates they are coming to campus you can check out the OCI calendar on our website, or log into UMBCworks where you can search for positions and apply directly.

After applying via UMBCworks, the employer selects who they want to interview, and those students are notified via email and will be able to select an interview time.

Apply now for an interview this semester with Enterprise Holdings, Rockwell Collins/ARINC, Maxim Healthcare Services, and Northwestern Mutual Financial Network (to name a few).

http://careers.umbc.edu/news_events/oci/calendar.php?event_type=OCI&date=20140310

                                   Mock Interviews

Need help preparing for an interview?

Mock interviews are 1.5 hour long sessions where you are able to practice your interview skills in a stimulated, one-on-one setting with a career specialist.

Please complete the following steps before your mock interview in order to prepare:

http://careers.umbc.edu/skills/interview/instructions.php

Please bring your resume and a sample position for which you are applying.

                                  Informational Interviews

Are you in the process of choosing an academic major, making career choices, changing careers, or beginning a job hunt? Informational interviews may help you explore your options.

Informational interviewing provides the opportunity to gain current information from professionals in the field.  Informational interviews help you gain valuable information for job hunting and career planning, learn about a particular organization, and network and establish contacts.

How are informational interviews different from other types of interviews? Informational interviews are meant to help you obtain information, not ask for a position.

To prepare for an informational interview: know your own skills, interests, values, and how they relate to the career field represented by the person you will be interviewing. Read about the career area and the organization. Know exactly what kind of information you want by having a list of questions in mind (http://careers.umbc.edu/skills/network/infoint_questions.pdf)

For more information: check out the books in the Career Library (Math/Psyc 212) and on our website!

The following on-campus positions have been posted within the past week to UMBCworks. Login to your account (via the link in the Jobs & Internships topic in myUMBC) and find details and application instructions as well as hundreds of other job postings!

9263935 - Editorial Assistant for Website Development - Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering

The following part-time positions have been posted within the past week to UMBCworks. Login to your account (via the link in the Jobs & Internships topic in myUMBC) and find details and application instructions as well as hundreds of other job postings!

9264157 - Academic Coordinator at K-12 Learning Center - SpiderSmart Learning Center
9263262 - In Home Autism Instructor/Technician - Trellis Services
9264248 - Package Handler - United Parcel Service (UPS)
9264143 - Princess Characters - Thumbs-Up Party Planning
9264234 - Sales Support - Fastenal Company