Zhang awarded $1.1M NSF grant for AI-driven energy system transition against climate change

Zhang awarded $1.1M NSF grant for AI-driven energy system transition against climate change

Monday, August 5, 2024

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Dr. Ying Zhang, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering in the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology at Oklahoma State University, has received a $1.1 million subaward from a $6 million National Science Foundation grant for the project "Accelerating Community-Centric Energy Transformation through Artificial Intelligence-Driven Digital Twinning for Climate-Aware Resilience."

Zhang will co-lead this project as the OSU principal investigator, collaborating with New Mexico State University, the University of Alabama-Huntsville and Montana State University. Together, they will address the critical challenges of climate change and aging energy infrastructure - with a special focus on underserved communities.

Dr. Ying Zhang, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering for CEAT

The OSU team will develop artificial intelligence and digital twinning techniques to optimize energy use, integrate renewable sources more effectively and improve overall climate resilience.

This fundamental research will focus on planning, operating and simulating the climate-energy nexus while leveraging large language models for effective data analysis and interpretation.

"Back in 2021, while living in Texas, I witnessed how the winter storm severely disrupted the energy infrastructure, particularly impacting underserved communities," Zhang said.

"Since then, one of my research efforts has been focused on using data intelligence to enhance smart grid resilience under climate change. I felt excited when Dr. Di Shi from NMSU informed me about his funding opportunity, and we quickly developed the initial proposal idea based on our shared research interests. This award was further made possible through the hard work and dedication of team members from electrical engineering, computer engineering, earth and atmospheric science and political science."

This project also supports STEM education and workforce development in minority communities by including Dr. Jason F. Kirksey, vice president for Access and Community Impact and Gina Miller, director for the Oklahoma Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (OK-LSAMP) program.

"We are excited to collaborate with this timely and significant NSF research project addressing climate change impacts in an equitable manner," said Kirksey, who also serves as principal investigator for the $4M NSF OK-LSAMP grant.

"OK-LSAMP Scholars will gain invaluable research experience and opportunities with cutting-edge technologies, such as AI and renewable energy systems that better equip our students to compete and contribute to the global workforce. Additionally, by raising awareness about the benefits of renewable energy, the project encourages sustainable engineering practices within local communities."

Zhang notes that the proposal's success was assisted by the collaborative effort and support from many.

"I am particularly grateful to my colleague Dr. Hantao Cui from ECE and others from CEAT for their support during the proposal submission, which began in my first month at OSU," Zhang said.

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