From the PES Corner April 2010

Spring is here and things are swinging into action! Steve Walk organized a truly engaging presentation by the ODU and HU Solar Decathlon Team, as Finalists in the Concept phase of the competition. Thirty four Teams remain, from which 20 will be chosen to implement their idea. As PES Members might have received post meeting word via e-mail, these people are visionaries.

They are inspiring in their goal to look for real solutions the urban middle class can enjoy and appreciate. John Whitelaw and Justin Smith assure me that the Team will be happy to present to us again, giving an update to their project. Trust me, you do not want to miss these latest developments in Green Engineering and Real Estate.

Here it is April, and the next two Technical meetings are Facility tours. On April 7th PES and IEEE will Tour Dominion’s Surry Nuclear Power Plant on Hog Island. The Surry tour is closed, yet do not panic!

I will be scheduling another one later this year. Steve Walk is working with Rick Williamson of AetnaWire Inc. for a tour of their Manufacturing Facility. PES is working on scheduling repeat tours this summer and fall to both locations, as we get feedback of conflicting dates. Also, ODU is bringing Gov. McDonnell to The Ted April 13 at the Engineering Unplugged conference. See www.engineeringunplugged.com for more details.

Elections are coming up! We are actively seeking a new Treasurer. If you are interested please contact myself or Tama Littley by April 20th. If you are interested in any of the other positions (Chair, Vice Chair or Secretary) please notify me, or someone on the ExCom (Steve Walk, Tama Littley, Dawn Ostenberg or myself), by April 20th so the ballot can be made and electronically circulated. Members who are unopposed to the current PES Chapter ExCom continuing for another term could facilitate the process by sending an affirmation e- mail to the address below. Be sure to include your membership number in the content of the affirmation..

Issues with meeting space: My affiliation with WHRO presents an opportunity to use some of their meeting space, though this is limited to approximately 25. The ideal situation is to alternate on both sides of the water, so the Chapter is still looking for space on the Peninsula. We are open to suggestions.

Upcoming PES Travel: The 2010 PES Transmission and Distribution Conference is right around the corner on the calendar, and just over a couple of rivers on the map in New Orleans LA. In addition to attending The PES conference (Thank you Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding), I will be representing the Section and the Chapter as a full time instructor at the 2010 National Scout Jamboree in the Electricity Merit Badge booth. The Merit Badge Chair of this adventure is Ralph Russell from the Richmond Chapter of PES. Anyone interested in supporting that effort, or knowing of possible corporate sponsorship for a very worthwhile STEM Project, should contact me to learn more about how they can make a difference. The PES GM is in Minneapolis, this year. Anyone who is planning to go to the PES GM this year please get in touch with me about that conference.

Where would the approaching summer be without a PES Social Event? Location is expected in Newport News this year, in June. Date and Menu TBD, but you can bet it will involve grilling and maybe even another chocolate lover’s turtle cheesecake!

I welcome your questions, comments, and other feedback at jennifer.ammentorp@ieee.org

Jennifer Ammentorp
jennifer.ammentorp@ieee.org