Key Takeaways
- ISO New England employees share their experiences working for the region’s independent system operator in the ISO Minute video series
- The Advanced Technology Solutions (ATS) team collaborates with external and internal groups to build tools that improve the reliability and efficiency of the region’s power system
- The ATS team has supported the development of the Regional Energy Shortfall Threshold (REST) metric and created software for the Online Weather Lookahead Study (OWLS)
- The team’s goal is to make complex mathematical solutions accessible and easy to use for non-experts
- The ISO New England team is working towards a safe and reliable transition to clean energy
Introduction to ISO Minute
ISO Minute is a video series that features ISO New England employees discussing their experiences working for the region’s independent system operator. The series provides a unique insight into the work of the organization and its employees, who are dedicated to supporting the safe and reliable transition to clean energy. One of the employees featured in the series is Jinye Zhao, a technical manager in Advanced Technology Solutions (ATS), the internal research and development department of ISO New England. As a mathematician, Zhao is no stranger to solving complex problems, and his work with the ATS team is focused on building tools that improve the reliability and efficiency of the region’s power system.
The Role of Advanced Technology Solutions
The ATS team plays a crucial role in supporting the transition to clean energy by developing innovative solutions that address the complex challenges faced by the power system. The team collaborates with external and internal groups to identify areas where technology can be leveraged to improve the reliability and efficiency of the power system. According to Zhao, the team’s goal is to take complex mathematical concepts and make them accessible and easy to use for non-experts. "We sort of take away the complex part and then we digest it, so you don’t need to be a PhD in mathematics to know how to use it," notes Zhao. This approach enables the ATS team to develop tools that can be used by a wide range of stakeholders, from operators to policymakers, to support informed decision-making.
Recent Projects and Achievements
The ATS team has been involved in several recent projects that demonstrate the impact of their work. One notable example is the development of the Regional Energy Shortfall Threshold (REST) metric, which provides a new way of measuring energy shortfalls in the region. The team has also created software for the Online Weather Lookahead Study (OWLS), which enables operators to better predict and prepare for weather-related disruptions to the power system. These projects demonstrate the ATS team’s commitment to innovation and their focus on developing solutions that address real-world challenges. By leveraging advanced technologies and mathematical models, the team is able to provide insights and tools that support the safe and reliable transition to clean energy.
Making Complex Solutions Accessible
A key aspect of the ATS team’s work is making complex mathematical solutions accessible and easy to use for non-experts. According to Zhao, the team’s goal is to develop solutions that are so intuitive and user-friendly that users can forget about the complex math behind them. "I think when you use our solution or tool, and you forget a math part of it, that means we are doing our job right," notes Zhao. This approach requires a deep understanding of the needs and challenges of the stakeholders who will be using the tools, as well as a commitment to simplicity and usability. By focusing on making complex solutions accessible, the ATS team is able to support a wider range of stakeholders and facilitate the adoption of new technologies and approaches.
Conclusion and Future Directions
The work of the ATS team and ISO New England more broadly is critical to supporting the safe and reliable transition to clean energy. By leveraging advanced technologies and mathematical models, the team is able to develop innovative solutions that address real-world challenges and support informed decision-making. As the region continues to evolve and grow, the work of the ATS team will be essential to ensuring that the power system remains reliable and efficient. Through the ISO Minute video series, employees like Jinye Zhao are able to share their experiences and insights, providing a unique perspective on the work of ISO New England and the challenges and opportunities of the transition to clean energy.
