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The Power Systems Engineering Center (PSEC) at NJIT is an interdisciplinary research, education, and workforce development hub dedicated to advancing modern electric power systems. The Center brings together faculty, students, industry partners, and government agencies to address critical challenges in grid modernization, renewable energy integration, and energy system resilience.

Strategically located in the New York–New Jersey region—one of the most energy-intensive and infrastructure-rich areas in the United States—PSEC is uniquely positioned to collaborate with major utilities, system operators, technology providers, and regulatory bodies.

PSEC is committed to unify power expertise at NJIT to collaborate with utilities, regulatory bodies and government in power systems to drive innovative education, research, and workforce training in power and position NJIT as a leader in integrated solutions for power systems and grid modernization. 

Mission and Strategic Role

PSEC aims to support the transformation of the electric grid through innovation in research, education, and industry collaboration. The Center is strategically aligned with NJIT’s Strategic Plan and contributes directly to key institutional priorities, including:

  • Workforce development in power and energy systems

  • Research leadership in next-generation grid technologies

  • Strong partnerships with industry, utilities, and government agencies

Through these efforts, PSEC serves as a platform for advancing both regional and national energy priorities.

Core Activities

The PSEC Center is responsible for the following major activities:

  • Facilitate structured collaborations with electric utilities, regulatory bodies, and government agencies

  • Organize annual bootcamps, workshops, and conferences to engage stakeholders across academia, industry, and government

  • Secure external funding and grants to support research and development in power systems engineering

  • Develop and deliver workforce training programs in areas such as power transmission, smart grids, and renewable energy integration

  • Maintain regular engagement with government agencies, electric utilities, and related organizations to ensure sustained impact and relevance

Leadership and Organization

The Center is led by a Director and supported by a team of affiliated faculty members and collaborators across NJIT. In addition, PSEC engages with industry advisors and external partners to ensure that its research and training activities remain aligned with real-world needs and emerging trends in the power and energy sector.

Establishment and Background

The Power Systems Engineering Center (PSEC) was formally established in 2025 to address the growing need for an integrated research, education, and workforce development hub focused on power grid modernization in New Jersey and beyond.

The founding members of the Center include Philip Pong, Mohsen Azizi, Sotirios Ziavras, Marcos Netto, Josh Taylor, and SangWoo Park, representing a diverse set of expertise in power systems, control, sensing, and energy technologies.

PSEC leverages the combined research infrastructure of its affiliated laboratories, forming a distributed yet highly capable set of core facilities that support experimental research, system validation, and hands-on training.

The formation of the Center reflects NJIT’s commitment to advancing energy innovation and supporting regional and national priorities in building a more resilient, sustainable, and intelligent electric grid.

Future Vision

Looking ahead, PSEC aims to serve as a long-term platform for large-scale research and workforce development initiatives, including multi-institutional collaborations, industry-supported programs, and federally funded centers. The Center is positioned to play a key role in initiatives such as grid-enhancing technologies, offshore wind integration, and next-generation power system infrastructure.