IEEE DAY
Expert Talk with John McDonald: The Future of Power Systems and Smart Grid Innovations
As part of our IEEE PES guest speaker series, we had the honor of hosting John McDonald, an industry leader with decades of experience in power systems, smart grids, and utility innovation. His talk provided deep insights into the evolution of modern power grids, the role of digital transformation in the energy sector, and the challenges of implementing smart grid technologies.
With a wealth of knowledge from his leadership roles at GE Grid Solutions and IEEE, John McDonald shared key strategies for grid modernization, the integration of renewable energy, and the future of power system automation. He also emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the skills required for the next generation of power and energy engineers.
Attendees had the unique opportunity to engage in a Q&A session, where he addressed real-world applications of AI in power systems, the impact of regulatory changes, and the shift towards resilient, intelligent energy networks.
This session was an invaluable experience for students and professionals looking to understand the technological and strategic future of energy systems.