Paras Mandal

Dr. Paras Mandal is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) and Director of the Power & Renewable Energy Systems (PRES) Laboratory at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). His research focuses on electric power systems, renewable energy integration, machine learning applications in smart grids, and cyber-security of power infrastructure. He has published over 200 articles and received awards such as the IEEE Best Papers Award and IEEJ Young Engineer Award. Mandal is a Senior Member of IEEE and holds leadership roles in IEEE Power and Energy Society (PES), including past Chair of IEEE PEEC Award Subcommittee and Secretary of IEEE New Product Development (NPD) Committee. His work is funded by NSF, DOE, DoEd, and industry, including co-leading the NSF-ERC-ASPIRE Power Thrust.

Education & Professional Background: While specific educational details are not provided, his academic career demonstrates deep expertise in power systems engineering. He has pioneered initiatives in curriculum development, integrating emerging technologies like dynamic wireless power transfer (DWPT) and smart grid education through NSF-funded programs.

Research Interests: Mandal’s work bridges theoretical advancements and practical applications in resilient energy systems. Key areas include:

• Optimization of microgrid operations under extreme weather
• Cyber-security protocols for inverter-based microgrids
• Machine learning-driven demand forecasting for EV charging infrastructure
• Resilience assessment of power distribution networks
• Integration of small modular reactors (SMRs) into distribution grids

Articles Trends: Recent publications emphasize:

• Application of Model Predictive Control (MPC) for grid optimization
• Impact of EVs on urban power distribution systems
• Cyber-physical security of distributed energy resources (DERs)
• Hybrid deep learning models for renewable energy forecasting

Awards & Recognition: Beyond his technical accolades, Mandal’s leadership in IEEE committees and his role in shaping energy education through concept map evaluations (NSF-funded) highlight his dual focus on innovation and pedagogy.

Grants & Labs: As PRES Lab Director, he oversees projects funded by NSF-ERC-ASPIRE and collaborations like the $2.5M UTEP-El Paso Electric partnership for green energy research. His labs develop tools like RAPSim software for DER-integrated grid education.

Future Work: Prioritizes:

• Smart grid resilience against cyber-physical threats
• Large-scale EV in-motion charging infrastructure
• Decarbonization strategies for urban energy systems