NYPA, UB launch AI fellowship program to spur clean energy innovation

Enhancing clean energy systems. Improving how batteries store power. Designing “virtual power plants” that merge small and disparate energy sources, such as rooftop solar panels, into a single, flexible system.

These projects and more are at the center of a new fellowship program between UB and the New York Power Authority that focuses on harnessing artificial intelligence to address some of the power industry’s key challenges.

Announced Thursday at the National AI Institute for Exceptional Education in Lockwood Library, the program is supported by $832,000 in workforce development funding approved by NYPA’s Board of Trustees.

“This AI Fellowship program puts cutting-edge technology to work on New York’s most urgent clean energy challenges while creating pathways to meaningful careers,” said NYPA President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll. “By pairing students with Power Authority experts and university researchers, we are providing the next generation of leaders with the hands-on experience needed to excel in the state’s clean energy economy.”

President Satish K. Tripathi said the program aligns with UB’s commitment to utilize AI for the betterment of society.

“Through this fellowship, the University at Buffalo is strengthening its commitment to advancing AI for the public good by enabling students to apply their expertise to critical clean energy challenges,” said Tripathi. “In partnership with the New York Power Authority, our students will translate research insights into practical solutions that advance a more sustainable and resilient energy future.”

NYPA leaders – including Sandra Bleckman, Ron Carroll, Rob Piascik and Qing Wei – said the AI fellowship program will immerse eight graduate students and one postdoctoral researcher in real‑world grid modernization and clean energy projects.

The four areas of focus are:

• Accelerating Transmission Interconnection for Renewables. Students will explore how Al can enhance renewable energy systems, leveraging machine learning technology and analytics to identify and prioritize potential transmission interconnection projects.
• Thermal Energy Load Profiling Framework. Participants will use an AI-based modeling approach that blends data and system knowledge to deliver accurate, real-time insights for planning thermal networks.
• Battery Storage Revenue Optimization Tools. Machine learning technology will be used to measure the performance of energy storage systems. Through simulations, students will explore how those systems behave under different conditions and identify strategies to improve their overall efficiency.
• Virtual Power Plant Intelligence Platforms. By using software that integrates distributed energy resources and analyzes energy markets, students will identify cost-effective approaches for developing and scaling virtual power plants in support of clean energy.
   

Developed in collaboration with UB’s Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, the fellowship program will also help build New York’s clean‑energy talent pipeline and accelerate deployment of AI tools that improve the state’s power system.

“UB's AI Fellows will have the opportunity to tackle real‑world challenges while advancing New York State’s clean‑energy future,” said Venu Govindaraju, senior vice president for research, innovation and economic development and the award's principal investigator. “This important collaboration pairs UB’s leadership in AI with NYPA’s operational scale.”

Govindaraju said the program adds to UB’s growing portfolio of AI-focused research and educational projects that aim to make improvements to clean energy, sustainability and associated fields. Efforts include utilizing AI to make the power grid more resilient amid extreme weather, improve the efficiency of wind power and better predict wildfire spread to protect the grid and other key infrastructure.

It also complements UB’s new Department of AI and Society — supported by $5 million in state funding — that is growing rapidly and preparing students for careers in a range of AI-related fields.

NYPA leaders spotlighted their support for clean energy workforce training, which supports the efforts of the New York State Department of Labor to connect workers to job opportunities in the clean energy economy.

They also noted NYPA has obligated more than $50 million for clean energy training programs, supporting thousands of trainees and more than 39 workforce training organizations statewide.

The graduate students participating in the fellowship program are Utkarsh Bansal, Ziqing Chang, Michael John, Meihuan Liu, Wasi Lone, Qinghua Ma, Peiyao Xiao and Wenyan Zhou. They join postdoctoral researcher Sergey Tulyakov.