IEEE EIC 2024 / NEMA Discussion Panel
Transportation Electrification – The Importance of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
A vital component of transportation electrification is the availability and scalability of Public Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure. The Federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) funding program has given states and local governments a powerful tool to strategically deploy EV Charging Infrastructure and to establish an interconnected network to facilitate data collection, access, and reliability. This panel discussion will highlight activities within the State of Minnesota offering perspectives from a State DOT managing the NEVI program and a representative from Xcel Energy critical in defining their path with respect to EV integration. Additional perspectives will be given from a European representative on how they are scaling up Public EV Charging Infrastructure.
Moderator
Steve Griffith, PMP
Executive Director, Regulatory & Industry Affairs, MobilityNational Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
Steve Griffith currently serves as Executive Director Regulatory & Industry Affairs, Mobility and the association’s overall cybersecurity activities. He brings more than two decades of experience in IoT, cybersecurity, electrified and intelligent transportation systems. Prior to joining NEMA he managed projects for the Department of Defense and the Transportation Security Administration.
Panelists
Prof. Dr. Andrea Cavallini
Chair of the IEEE DEIS TC on Transport Electrification
Andrea is co-author of about 280 scientific papers and 15 international patents, co-founder of the University spin-off Techimp and is active in IEEE DEIS (Adcom 2010-2016, Education ctte chair from 2010, Italy Chapter President, chair of the TC on Transport Electrification), CIGRE (Italian national representative 2004-2008, convener of WG D1.43 and D1.74), IEC TC 2 MT 10 (project leader of IEC 60034-18-41 Ed. 2), and SAE (WG AE11). He is IEEE Fellow.
Lucas Roach – Xcel Energy
Sr. EV Product Portfolio Manager
Lucas Roach is a Sr. Product Portfolio Manager at Xcel Energy that oversees EV program strategy across Xcel Energy’s service territories. He’s spent the last 3 years working to file, launch and implement EV programs at Xcel focused on expanding access to charging and integrating EV load . Previously he’s worked as an engineer and product developer for energy efficiency and demand management programs across multiple utilities, working to implement energy savings and load shifting solutions.
Beth Kallestad – MnDOT Office of Sustainability and Public Health
Principal Sustainability Planner
Project Manager, Sustainability, Community Building, Facilitation, Nonprofit Leadership
Beth Kallestad (she/her pronouns) has over twenty of experience in a variety of positions in the environmental field to include the private, government, academic and non-profit sectors. This experience has given her a strong background in managing and implementing a variety of sustainability planning efforts, supporting Boards & Commissions, public and stakeholder engagement, effective communications, building trust, and working collaboratively. She joined the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Office of Sustainability & Public Health in June 2022. Beth’s primary project is implementation of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program along with supporting other EV work at MnDOT.