Guest Lecture on "Advances in Power Transmission and Smart Grids” by Mr. Athula Kulatunga (Department Head of Engineering Technology Department at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA) was organized for the students of EPE Department.

Date: 22^nd of February 2017

Electrical, Energy and Power Department of University of Petroleum and Energy Studies had the immense pleasure of receiving a distinguished personality all the way from Indiana, USA, Dr. Athula Kulatunga. He is the Department Head of Engineering Technology Department at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA since July, 2014. He is the former George W. McNelly Professor at Purdue University and professor for 14 years. Principal Investigator of the Consortium for Rapid Smart Gideon Impact (CRSGI), the United States State Department funded a Global Innovation (GI) project, 2014 to 2018. Initial partners are Purdue University  (USA), DeMontfort University (UK), Sao Paulo State University (Brazil). Now expanding to India. He was a recipient of “Chartered Legends in Energy” by the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) in 2008. He was selected to serve on ARPA-E funding selection for AMPED program in 2012. He has received the distinguished tenured faculty award for the Purdue College of Technology, twice. 

He had an interactive session with the faculty members and invited not only the students but also the professors to be a part of the research and development taking place at Purdue University to familiarize them with the technological advancements going on across the globe so that they can serve this nation better. He described the current scenario for research in smart and micro grids. He also emphasized on the global need of energy management and conservation.

He was here to address the students on the topic, “Advances in Power Transmission and Smart Grids” scheduled for the following day. Students from the different branches under the Department and from all years of study had assembled to learn from this man of uncountable achievements. Mr. Athula has enlighten the students about their roles as responsible engineers which made the students to realize how important part they will play to make India climb the ladders of success into becoming a global leader in the energy division.