Luke Dosiek, assistant professor of electrical, computer and biomedical engineering, has received a prestigious CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation that will impact research, curricula, opportunities for students and outreach to local schools.

The award, given to promising scientists early in their careers and recognizes “outstanding research, excellent education, and the integration of education and research.” It provides approximately $500,000 over five years for those “who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their department or organization.”

Dosiek is the first professor from Union to receive the honor.

He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Wyoming. He joined Union in 2014.

Project title:

The Science of Measurement-based Stability Assessment and Model Validation for Microgrids

The grant will be used to fund research into methods of using real-time measurements to provide indicators of stability and model validation in microgrids, which are small, potentially self-contained power grids that contain both electricity suppliers and consumers, such as Union's main campus grid.

According to Dosiek, if successful, the algorithms developed here will enable more rapid and reliable designs of microgrids to accelerate the paradigm shift from central to distributed generation; reduce community dependence on large corporate- or government-owned energy resources; foster increased use of renewable energy; and enable a new level of rural electrification.

The grant includes funds for the purchase of a real-time digital power grid simulator with hardware-in-the-loop capabilities. Dosiek said this would allow for the testing and validation of the developed algorithms on software simulations that communicate with actual hardware measurement devices and controllers.

As part of the grant, a postdoctoral research associate will be hired to work with Union students, who will also be given summer research opportunities and attend conferences.

According to Dosiek, funds will also go toward the modernization and redesign of the electric power and energy courses offered at Union.

“This includes the development of a new cross-disciplinary course that merges power engineering and music theory that will culminate in a public concert of sonified power grid data,” he said.

There will also be outreach activities at local K-12 schools, where students will be invited to creatively present the history of electric power, which has deep roots in Schenectady.