Powering up a new research & education partnership

The University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering and Milsoft Utility Solutions, Inc. have entered a research partnership to further pathways for software development, student engagement and recruitment. Milsoft, based in Abilene, TX, develops distribution circuit modeling software for more than 1,000 electric cooperative utilities, municipalities, consulting firms, and universities worldwide.

The agreement will contribute toward research collaborations; contributing new code to the Milsoft software; engaging graduate and PhD students and on varied projects; and building a recruitment pathway for Pitt students into Milsoft.

Robert Kerestes, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering (ECE) at the Swanson School, explained that industry partnerships are a cornerstone of the school and department. “ECE has developed strong, iterative collaborations with corporate partners that both advance research and provide employment opportunities for our students,” he said.

"Through collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh's Swanson School, we are proud to be at the forefront of cutting-edge research in the service of safe, efficient, and affordable public utilities and consumers' access to power,” noted Adam Turner, Milsoft CEO of Business Operations and President of the Board. “This partnership joins the industry-leading expertise of our team with the top-tier excellence of Pitt's academics and engineers.

"Together, we will further advance the engineering and operations of power grids and distribution with new innovations, not only addressing current challenges known to utilities but conceivably expanding the capabilities and utilization of software applications beyond for the greater good."

“Since our program’s founding in 1893, our programs have really evolved with the electric power generation, transmission, and distribution industries and many of the dynamic fields that have emerged with new technologies,” Kerestes said. “We’re excited to begin this partnership and discover new opportunities that benefit Milsoft and Pitt.”

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