Expert Panel on EV Deployment and Grid Innovation in North Carolina

April 21, 2021. Dr. Nyangon served as a featured panelist at the 2021 Virtual State Energy Conference of North Carolina, contributing to the session titled “EVs in North Carolina: The Technologies Driving Deployment.” The conference brought together leaders across the state’s diverse energy economy to explore pathways for a resilient, technology-driven energy transition.

The technical panel examined the rapid growth of electric vehicles (EVs) across North Carolina and the associated challenges and opportunities for the electric grid. Dr. Nyangon and fellow panelists discussed how rising EV adoption affects grid planning, operations, and reliability, while highlighting advanced technologies that enable effective EV-grid integration. Topics included the role of artificial intelligence, battery energy storage, and smart infrastructure in minimizing EV impacts and enhancing system flexibility.

The discussion also addressed the regulatory and financial barriers influencing the deployment of these technologies and the importance of coordinated policy, innovation, and investment strategies.

The session was moderated by Ken Dulaney, Director of Industry and Innovation at NC State University’s FREEDM Systems Center, and featured insights from Gary Rackliffe (Hitachi ABB Power Grids) and Diane Huis (North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives). Together, the panel underscored the critical role of advanced analytics, grid modernization, and cross-sector collaboration in accelerating North Carolina’s EV future.