About the Center for Power Systems Studies
Powering the Future Through Collaboration
The Center for Power Systems Studies bridges the gap between academia and industry, creating a dynamic environment where innovation meets practical application in the power engineering field.
Since 1968, the Center for Power Systems Studies has stood as a cornerstone of collaboration between South Dakota State University and the regional power industry. Our vision is simple yet powerful: to create meaningful connections between students, faculty and industry professionals that drive innovation and excellence in power engineering education.
Through these partnerships, we're addressing the evolving challenges of modern power systems while preparing the next generation of engineering talent to lead the industry forward. By combining academic expertise with industry insight, we're building a stronger electrical power workforce and contributing to technological advancement in our region and beyond.
We're committed to attracting and nurturing talented students interested in power engineering. By providing scholarships, internships, field experiences and networking opportunities, we help transform academic knowledge into professional capability. Our goal is to create a pipeline of well-prepared engineers who can meet the industry's evolving needs.
Our industry partners are the foundation of our success. Through meaningful collaboration, we create opportunities for knowledge exchange, workforce development, and technological advancement. We actively facilitate connections that help our partners recruit top talent, access university research capabilities and contribute to educational excellence.
We foster research that addresses real-world challenges in the power industry. By connecting industry needs with academic expertise, we help develop practical solutions that advance the field. Our focus includes renewable integration, smart grid technologies, power electronics and sustainable energy policies that shape the future of electrical systems.
We support the development of knowledgeable faculty who can inspire and prepare students for industry challenges. By connecting professors with industry partners, we ensure curriculum relevance and create opportunities for professional development that enhances teaching and research capabilities.
July 1, 1968
The South Dakota Board of Regents formally establishes the Center for Power Systems Studies, championed by Junis Storry and regional power utility companies. Six charter industry members begin financial support, marking the beginning of a vision to address the shortage of young engineers in the field and promote qualified faculty to teach power system engineering.
1968-1997
Professor Wayne E. Knabach takes the helm as coordinator, shaping the center's direction and building strong industry connections during a period of significant growth and transformation in the power industry. His leadership establishes many of the programs and partnerships that continue today.
1997-Present
In 1997, a milestone year for the Center for Power Systems Studies, the South Dakota Board of Regents reaffirmed its support for the center, recognizing its valuable contributions to both education and industry. This same year marked the beginning of Steven Hietpas' tenure as coordinator, ushering in a new era of growth and innovation.
Under Hietpas' leadership from 1997 to the present, the Center expanded its reach and impact significantly, growing to include nine member companies and 16 associate members. Throughout this period, the Center has continued to evolve, successfully adapting to technological changes while maintaining its core mission of connecting industry, students and faculty.
Our Vision for Tomorrow
Looking forward, the Center for Power Systems Studies is committed to expanding our impact and adapting to the rapidly changing landscape of power engineering. We're focused on several key initiatives:
- Connecting with high school students and counselors to inspire the next generation of power engineers.
- Providing information about electrical engineering as a career path.
- Facilitating scholarships for incoming and existing students.
- Creating a variety of pathways into the field.
- Investing in technologies and resources for cutting-edge research.
- Directing student interns to support industry-relevant projects.
- Creating a knowledge base of industry publications and research.
- Conducting literature searches on topics important to our members.
- Developing systems to share industry insights, research findings and technological developments.
- Establishing a research "clipping" service for faculty, students and industry partners.
- Facilitating training sessions and workshops.
- Building information-sharing platforms.
- Welcoming new members from emerging sectors of the electrical industry.
- Broadening our perspective to create new opportunities for collaboration.
- Actively soliciting industry support for academic scholarships and program funding.
- Creating more pathways for students and faculty to gain hands-on experience.
- Actively working with member organizations to place students in summer employment positions.
- Developing cooperative programs for real-world experience.
- Connecting graduates with career opportunities in the power sector.
- Ensuring Center for Power Systems Studies faculty have access to necessary training and resources.
- Seeking support from other faculty to complement existing expertise.
- Creating opportunities for faculty to gain industry experience.
- Maintaining curriculum relevance through industry feedback.
Center for Power Systems Studies Today: Making an Impact
Today, the Center for Power Systems Studies stands as a vibrant community of nine member companies and 16 associate members contributing to an annual budget exceeding $42,500. This robust partnership has produced tangible results:
- Over 350 海角直播app electrical engineering graduates have entered power/utility related careers since our founding.
- Each year, $17,000 in scholarships are awarded to promising students through the Center for Power Systems Studies and its member companies.
- Regular field trips, seminars and conferences connect students with industry professionals.
- Internship opportunities provide real-world experience for students preparing to enter the workforce.
As the electrical industry continues to evolve, the Center for Power Systems Studies is well-positioned to embrace new technologies and welcome new partners. We anticipate growth beyond our traditional membership as more organizations recognize the value of connecting with students trained at 海角直播app and accessing technology transferred from the university.
Through continued collaboration between industry and academia, we're building a foundation for innovation and excellence in power engineering education that will benefit our region for generations to come.