Ben Ealey Email & Phone Number

Knoxville, Tennessee

Ben leads and contributes to the research within SEPA’s Grid Integration pathway. The goal of the SEPA Grid Integration pathway is that carbon-free energy is easily integrated with positive impact to affordability, safety, security, reliability, resiliency and customer satisfaction. DER and large-scale renewables like wind, solar, electric vehicles, and energy storage continue to play an increasing role in the power sector, whether it be for individual consumer value or system-wide value. The… Show more Ben leads and contributes to the research within SEPA’s Grid Integration pathway. The goal of the SEPA Grid Integration pathway is that carbon-free energy is easily integrated with positive impact to affordability, safety, security, reliability, resiliency and customer satisfaction. DER and large-scale renewables like wind, solar, electric vehicles, and energy storage continue to play an increasing role in the power sector, whether it be for individual consumer value or system-wide value. The grid must be flexible enough to accommodate new clean resources, whether centralized or decentralized, without degrading reliability and the other valuable attributes of the system. Show less

Knoxville, Tn

Led EPRI's research program on information and communication technologies for distributed energy resources. Our research team works with industry stakeholders to break down barriers in the communications, control, and monitoring of smart solar, storage, and loads to enable a cross-functional architecture capable of meeting demands of the modern grid. Our goal is to maximize the options that utilities and their customers have for managing energy.My research enables the communication and… Show more Led EPRI's research program on information and communication technologies for distributed energy resources. Our research team works with industry stakeholders to break down barriers in the communications, control, and monitoring of smart solar, storage, and loads to enable a cross-functional architecture capable of meeting demands of the modern grid. Our goal is to maximize the options that utilities and their customers have for managing energy.My research enables the communication and control of distributed energy resources (DER) to help utilities and their customers maximize the benefit of these systems. This includes residential and commercial loads, energy storage, and solar generation. I work closely with industry experts focuses on various DER technologies, standards and specification groups, utilities, and other industry experts to understand the use cases for interconnected DER and work to make the most advanced use-cases a reality.-Project Set Lead for EPRI's Information and Communication Technology for DER/DR program.-Manages research projects focused on develop tests tools, reports, and other guidance to help utilities include DER/DR in their control architectures.-Lead on EPRI's Energy Storage Integration Council Subgroup for Communications and Control-Capture use cases of real-world deployments of communications and control architectures for DER/DR-Interoperability and interchangeability testing on DER/DR-Leads EPRI's smart inverter communications testing lab-Works with industry leaders to update communication protocols to meet modern day use cases. Show less

Knoxville, Tennessee Area

My research enables the communication and control of distributed energy resources (DER) to help utilities and their customers maximize the benefit of these systems. This includes residential and commercial loads, energy storage, and solar generation. I work closely with industry experts focuses on various DER technologies, standards and specification groups, utilities, and other industry experts to understand the use cases for interconnected DER and work to make the most advanced use-cases a… Show more My research enables the communication and control of distributed energy resources (DER) to help utilities and their customers maximize the benefit of these systems. This includes residential and commercial loads, energy storage, and solar generation. I work closely with industry experts focuses on various DER technologies, standards and specification groups, utilities, and other industry experts to understand the use cases for interconnected DER and work to make the most advanced use-cases a reality.-Lead on ESIC's Communications and Control Subgroup-Interoperability and interchangeability testing on DER/DR-Leads EPRI's smart inverter communications testing lab-Creates reports to inform the industry about advances in communications protocols for DER and DR-Project Set Lead for EPRI's Information and Communication Technology for DER/DR program.-Works with industry leaders to update communication protocols to meet modern day use cases. Show less

Knoxville, Tennessee Area

I work with industry experts to provide our utility customers with the information they need to run effective programs. This includes technology assessments, energy efficiency testing, conducting field demonstrations, and market research.-Developed a technical understanding of devices including hyper-efficient appliances, heat-pump water-heaters, solar inverters, battery storage systems, ductless heat pump systems, variable refrigerant flow systems, led street lighting technologies… Show more I work with industry experts to provide our utility customers with the information they need to run effective programs. This includes technology assessments, energy efficiency testing, conducting field demonstrations, and market research.-Developed a technical understanding of devices including hyper-efficient appliances, heat-pump water-heaters, solar inverters, battery storage systems, ductless heat pump systems, variable refrigerant flow systems, led street lighting technologies, building systems, home automation systems;-Studied end-use devices to understand their impact to electric utility customers, infrastructure, and operations;-Build strong relationships with utility customers and other specialists in the energy research field. -Managed demonstration projects of end-use devices;-Developed testing procedures for evaluating the functionality and performance of end-use devices;-Conducted economic analysis and utility cost tests;‐Created a power quality knowledge database with extensive use of SQL Management Studio and Access.-Analyzed large data sets of field data to determine efficiency of end-use devices;-Assessed AMI Analytics Solutions for Big Data Applications;-Coordinated and manages research activity between EPRI and University of Tennessee; Show less

Knoxville, Tennessee Area

May 2010 - August 2011 Continuation of Power Quality Knowledge-base Application, Planning and Development Debugging of Power Quality Software Products and Assisting in Updates and Corrections Development of Graphics and Visual Resources Handling and Sorting of Power Quality Related Technical DocumentsMay 2009 to August 2009 Assisted in Development of Power Quality Knowledge Application Developing and Presenting Functional and Visual Product… Show more May 2010 - August 2011 Continuation of Power Quality Knowledge-base Application, Planning and Development Debugging of Power Quality Software Products and Assisting in Updates and Corrections Development of Graphics and Visual Resources Handling and Sorting of Power Quality Related Technical DocumentsMay 2009 to August 2009 Assisted in Development of Power Quality Knowledge Application Developing and Presenting Functional and Visual Product Mock Ups to Programmers / Manager Migration of Legacy HTML System to Database Structure Debugging of Products and Assisting in Updates and Corrections Development of Graphics and Visual ResourcesMay 2008 to August 2008 Design and Execution of Testing on Outgoing Equipment Assisting with Preparations and Report Writing for Plant Audits Setting Up and Executing Sag Testing on Equipment Show less

Knoxville, Tennessee Area

Designed, built, and assessed a cognitive radio network to gain my Masters in Communications Theory;Served the university by overseeing student labs, grading assignments, and acted as a mentor for undergraduate students;Worked as part of an eight person international research team and assisted with publication editing and content management.

Knoxville, Tennessee Area

Teaching Assistant and Lab Instructor -Circuits -Analog/Digital Communications -Signals and Systems

Bs, Electrical Engineering

Activities and Societies: IEEE UT Local Branch Member, Theta Tau Engineering Fraternity Social Chairman 2008-2009 Academic Year

Ms, Electrical Engineering - Communication Theory

Activities and Societies: IEEE UT Student Branch Member, Theta Tau Engineering Fraternity President of Theta Tau Chi Gamma Chapter.