Tim Hansen

Tim Hansen is the Harold C. Hohbach Endowed Associate Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at South Dakota State University. He holds a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Milwaukee School of Engineering (2011) and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Colorado State University (2015).

• B.S. in Computer Engineering, Milwaukee School of Engineering, 2011
• Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Colorado State University, 2015

Dr. Hansen's research focuses on electric power systems and markets, with a specialization in optimization, high-performance computing, and machine learning applied to cyber-physical-social systems. His work addresses critical challenges in grid stability, including virtual inertia implementation, multi-area inertia estimation, and low-inertia microgrid control, leveraging advanced computational techniques for energy management systems. He also investigates data-driven approaches for secure electric grids in communities impacted by climate change.

Recent research trends include federated learning for grid analysis, model predictive control for voltage and frequency regulation, and computationally efficient inverter modeling. His publications emphasize converter-dominated power systems, energy storage applications, and smart grid technologies across multiple spatiotemporal scales.

Scientific awards include:

• 2024 Outstanding Researcher Award, South Dakota State University Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering
• 2022 Best Paper Award for AC Optimal Power Flow research
• 2020 Milwaukee School of Engineering Graduate of the Last Decade
• 2019 IEEE-HKN Teaching Award
• Multiple IEEE best paper awards (2017, 2016)

Dr. Hansen directs grants totaling over $2 million, including:

• $357,467 (DOE SETO, 2024): Transmission/Distribution Systems with Flexible Coordination
• $750,000 (NSF, 2023): Secure Grids for Climate-Impacted Communities
• $978,708 (NSF, 2022): Heterogeneous HPC Cluster Development
• $630,897 (DOE, 2019-2021): Dynamic Response Modeling of Converter-Dominated Systems

He chairs IEEE committees including Region 4 Siouxland Section Executive Committee and co-chairs the IEEE PES Research Committee, while advising the IEEE-HKN Honor Society.