News & Events: Week of February 27

March 1 CEAS Seminar: Protection of Voltage Source Converter (VSC) based HVDC Systems
The college has a new Auraria Library Faculty Liaison
Call for Nominations: 2012 Staff Service Excellence Award
Green Schools National Conference Feb. 27 – 29

If you have news and events you’d like to share with the college, contact Erica Lefeave.

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March 1 CEAS Seminar: Protection of Voltage Source Converter (VSC) based HVDC Systems

College of Engineering and Applied Science
Spring 2012 Seminar Series
Thursday, March 1, 2012
10 a.m., NC 2607/09

Protection of Voltage Source Converter (VSC) based HVDC Systems
Dr. Jae-Do Park
Dept. of Electrical Engineering
University of Colorado Denver

Abstract
Currently classical thyristor-based high voltage direct current (HVDC) systems hold the market in bulk power transmission. However, recent advances in semiconductor technology have led to voltage source converter based HVDC (VSC-HVDC) systems becoming a viable competitor. Not only is VSC-HVDC a competitor for point-to-point transmission but it has advantages in multi-terminal systems, which have become an attractive option for renewable energy applications such as off-shore wind farms or for distribution in large cities.  As more VSC-HVDC systems are installed, the protection of these systems must be taken into account. A challenge associated with the protection of VSC-HVDC systems is that the fault current must be detected and extinguished very quickly because the converter’s fault withstand capability is low compared to the full load rating. Fault detection is also important, especially on multi terminal systems, in order to isolate the fault and restore the system to working order. This presentation explores the different options and ideas for VSC-based DC system protection including AC and DC protective devices and fault current limiters.

Bio.
Dr. Jae-Do Park received his PhD degree from the Pennsylvania State University, University Park, in 2007. Dr. Park is currently an Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of Colorado Denver. His research interests are in the energy system applications such as renewable energy sources, energy harvesting systems, flywheel energy storage systems, grid-interactive distributed generation systems, and microgrid systems. Prior to his arrival at the University of Colorado Denver, Dr. Park worked for Pentadyne Power Corporation in California as the Manager of Software and Controls, where he took charge of control algorithm design and software development for the high-speed flywheel energy storage system. He also worked at the R&D Center of LG Industrial Systems in Korea, where he developed induction machine drive systems such as high-speed elevator drives and general-purpose inverters as a research engineer.

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The college has a new Auraria Library Faculty Liaison

Gayle Bradbeer is the college’s new Auraria Library faculty liaison.  Gayle is your point person for any suggestions you might have for library purchases to support your classes, ideas you might have for connecting library resources to your students, research assistance, etc.

Gayle’s contact info:
Phone: 303-556-2791
E-mail: gayle.bradbeer@auraria.edu

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Call for Nominations: 2012 Staff Service Excellence Award

As you read this, keep in mind that there was not ONE single person nominated for this award from the Denver Campus (which includes both Downtown and AMC). Yes, you read this correctly, NOT ONE NOMINATION LAST YEAR was submitted from either campus location. No one from Denver was recognized; the $1,000 cash award was not disbursed to anyone last year.

University of Colorado Staff Council (UCSC) requests nominations of classified staff and professional exempt employees for the annual Service Excellence Award. The award is presented to one qualified individual from each campus (and system administration), and includes a $1,000 cash award to be presented at the All Staff Council Conference on April 13, 2012. Each of the four recipients will be invited to the luncheon, along with his/her nominator, supervisor, and one additional guest.

UCSC is pleased to recognize and reward individuals who have provided outstanding volunteer service to their campus, community/civic/professional activities, and the university as a whole through involvement in staff issues, committee work, teamwork, professional development of peers, and community relations.

ELIGIBILITY
Any active, certified, classified staff or professional exempt employee of the university, excluding the current members of UCSC, is eligible to receive this award. Nominations will be accepted from any staff, faculty, student or administrator within the university. For best results, nominators may need to work with their nominee for a complete nomination packet.

AWARD CRITERIA
Nominations will be judged on the candidate’s service: (Please note, service does not include activities that are part of an employee’s job description or that are directly related to the employee’s current job duties.)

• Service to the employee’s home campus (50%), including but not limited to, membership and leadership within standing and ad-hoc committees, staff governance organizations, and by the importance of the activity and its benefit to the Campus community
• Service to the community/civic and professional organizations (30%)
• Service to the university (20%), including but not limited to, membership and leadership within standing and ad-hoc committees, staff governance organizations, local and state-wide organizations, and by the importance of the activity and its benefit to the University community

PROCEDURE
Nominations packets must be received by Friday, March 9, 2012, and must include (10 page maximum):

• A completed nomination describing the nominee’s service to the three areas listed above.
• A paragraph describing the nominee’s current job responsibilities.
• One letter from the nominator and one additional letter of support from a staff member, a faculty member, or an administrator, based on the award criteria.

Nomination materials will be reviewed by the University of Colorado Staff Council, and recipients will be chosen based on the above criteria. Accuracy of the nominee’s qualifications will be verified by UCSC.

SUBMIT NOMINATION PACKETS TO YOUR UCSC CAMPUS REPRESENTATIVE: Deborah Makray: 303-623-1888 | Deborah.Makray@ucdenver.edu

Forms can be found at www.ucdenver.edu/staffcouncil.  Click on Staff Excellence Award.

Nominations will NOT be accepted after March 9.

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Green Schools National Conference Feb. 27 – 29

On February 28, U. S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will take the stage at the Green Schools National Conference in Denver, providing a high note at what has become the largest annual meeting of the Green Schools Movement. The Secretary and other distinguished speakers, including Deputy Undersecretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Janey Thornton, mayors from several cities, as well as business and education leaders from across the country will address the green schools movement and how it can strengthen our economy, revitalize our schools and ensure access to green school benefits for all.

Denver Public Schools Superintendent Tom Boasberg is pleased to join Deputy Commissioner of Education Dr. Diana Sirko, Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock, Colorado State Representative Any Kerr and President & CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce Kelly Brough in welcoming local and national attendees to this historic event.  UC Denver will share their National Research Project on Green Schools and Academic Achievement.

The Secretary’s appearance and the growing popularity of this conference signal a new milestone in Green schools, coinciding with the inaugural year of U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) program.  (http://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools/index.html)

Special Discount Code for Colorado residents when they register onsite February 27-29
For Colorado residents, the discounted cost to attend the conference are:
• $265 – for a full conference badge
• $185 – for a one-day badge (February 28 would be the day to attend)
• $150 – for a K-12 student to attend February 27 Student Summit plus full conference

Registration fees include breakfast, lunch and evening networking receptions

Register on site and receive coloradohost discount at the Hyatt Regency Hotel across from the Colorado Convention Center.

If you have questions or if you are registering more than five people from the same organization, call Conference Registration Services at 1-800-280-6218 between 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Pacific Coast Time or e-mail greeninfo@nationalgreenschools.org

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