Title: Women Leading Innovation for Clean and Sustainable Power Sector
Akanksha Singh
Senior Researcher – Power Electronics
Abstract:
The world is currently on to track for a global temperature rise of 2.7˚C by the end of the century. That is well above the goal of 1.5oC set in the Paris climate agreement, and it would lead to serious changes in weather patterns worldwide. A radical change is needed, and fast. Making the best use of energy or – even better – using less of it is the best starting point. The next step is to make energy clean. The scale and speed of the investment in clean energy solutions and innovations will determine whether we can still achieve a net-zero emission transition. The clean energy industry generates hundreds of billions in economic activity and is expected to continue to grow rapidly in the coming years. There is tremendous economic opportunity for the countries that invent, manufacture and export clean energy technologies. This transition will generate employment opportunities in many sectors and will require development of skilled work force. Currently, less than 30% of the energy work force constitutes women. While progress has been made, more can be done to diversify the industry and ensure women’s equal participation in sustainable development.
Brief Bio:
Akanksha Singh received the B.Engg. degree from Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur, India in 2010. She worked from 2010 to 2012 as an Electrical Engineer, Research and Development in ESAB India Limited. She received the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from the Kansas State University, KS, USA, in 2017. Since then, she has been working at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in various research roles. Her work at NREL has been focused on the design and control of wide bandgap - based power converters for grid connection, and application of power electronics for widespread integration of distributed energy to the grid. Her recent work is focused on integration of medium voltage SiC-based power converters to the distribution system. Her research interests also include design and control of power converters for motor drive applications.