Image Credit: wsu.edu
Pullman, Washington— Anjan Bose, distinguished professor of electric power engineering at Washington State University, has been awarded the 2025 IEEE Power & Energy Society Lifetime Achievement Award.
The accolade recognizes his five‑decade-long leadership in power grid automation, control technologies, operator education, and outage prevention—an honor to be presented at the IEEE‑PES general meeting in Austin on July 29.
Key Facts:
- Award conferred by IEEE‑PES on May 16, 2025, honoring 50+ years of contributions to power grid automation and reliability.
- Bose has been at WSU since 1993 and previously served as dean (1998–2005) and as a senior advisor to both FERC and the U.S. Department of Energy.
- Formal recognition scheduled for July 29, 2025, at the IEEE‑PES Annual Meeting in Austin, Texas.
Professor Bose’s journey unfolded through ground-breaking work in developing training simulators that power grid operators use globally.
He also led crucial investigations into major outages on the East Coast and Midwest, shaping industry standards to prevent future blackouts.
His research translated into computer controls adopted across utility systems—an unmistakable benchmark of practical innovation.
Colleagues emphasize not just his technical acumen but also his dedication to mentoring.
Partha Pande, dean of WSU’s engineering college, noted, “Anjan has done tremendous work over his long career to improve the reliability of the electric power grid, from helping to understand and prevent big outages to training grid operators in best practices”
Beyond academia, Bose played advisory roles at key regulatory bodies.
He guided the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the U.S. Department of Energy during the Obama administration, influencing policy on grid reliability and energy.
His global impact is further evidenced by his membership in the U.S. National Academy of Engineering and foreign fellowships in both the Indian and Chinese national academies.
This recognition by IEEE‑PES underscores the vital intersection of academia, industry, and policy in ensuring a resilient and modern power infrastructure.
The award ceremony will be a platform to highlight future collaboration in grid modernization and operator training worldwide.
“...I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the dozens of individuals who helped in making it possible,” Bose reflected, crediting mentors and colleagues whose belief fueled his lifelong work.
By honoring Anjan Bose, IEEE celebrates not just past achievements but also sets a benchmark for future engineers dedicated to sustainable and reliable energy systems.
Do You Know?
IEEE‑PES Lifetime Achievement Award includes a $2,000 prize, a commemorative sculpture, and a $2,000 travel stipend for attendance at the presentation ceremony.
Key Terms:
Power Grid Automation: The use of computer-based systems to monitor and control electricity transmission, enabling more reliable and efficient power delivery.
Operator Training Simulator (OTS): A computer-based training tool that emulates real-world power grid conditions for training control room staff.
IEEE‑PES: The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Power & Energy Society, a global professional body that recognizes excellence in electric power engineering.