Balda Named Chair of IEEE Power Electronics Society Technical Committee

University Relations

Juan Balda

Juan Balda, university professor and head of the Department of Electrical Engineering, has been elected chair of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers' Power Electronics Society Technical Committee on Sustainable Energy Systems.

Balda, who holds the Twenty-First Century Leadership Chair in Engineering, will lead the committee tasked with advancing scientific work related to the integration of power electronics into distribution systems by taking advantage of high-voltage power modules. For example, Balda said, researchers are interested in power electronic systems that connect solar power generation and energy storage to distribution systems.

The committee, also known as TC5, covers sustainable energy system technologies relevant to the applications of power electronic principles, controls, components, apparatuses, systems, and networks.

IEEE has more than 419,000 members in 160 countries worldwide and is the world's largest technical professional organization for the advancement of technology. The Power Electronics Society, one of IEEE's 39 societies, focuses on the effective use of electronic components, the application of circuit theory and design techniques, and the development of analytical tools toward efficient conversion, control and condition of electric power.

"It is an honor and at the same time a great responsibility to be selected by your peers," Balda said. "I am encouraged by the support I have received by my colleagues and I look forward to the opportunity to lead the effort to better this field of research."

Balda was elected by TC5 members and will serve a two-year term that began Jan. 1.