IEEE in the Windy City

In just a few short weeks, we'll be in Chicago for IEEE PES T&D Conference and Expo 2014!  If you're planning to join us for some green screen fun and a complimentary souvenir photos, and haven't already done so, you might want to check out and download the official app.  With the app, you can:

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• Easily locate Commonwealth at Booth 8033 (hint, hint!)
• Populate a schedule of other things you’d like to attend/see
• Explore a list of exhibitors with information about each and the ability to “favorite” the exhibitor, schedule a visit with them, and/or get directions to their booth
• View various maps -- exhibits, halls, hotels, etc.
• View technical program session info, locations, duration and more
• See a list of speakers, their employers, and when/where they’ll be speaking
• Access general information about shuttles, the schedule, special events, etc.
• View and contribute to a photo gallery
• Follow and contribute to a live Twitter stream using the hashtag #TandD2014
• Download and view handouts and videos
• Scan QR codes for more information
• Figure out where you are in relation to another point
• View an easy-to-follow ordered map of the exhibitors you choose to bookmark to make the most of your time
• Discover local Chicago attractions
• Follow “IEEE PES T&D Conference” on Facebook, and check-in on Facebook when you arrive, for the latest postings there and to contribute to that page
• Post on LinkedIn regarding the conference 

It's a great resource -- I hope you'll check it out!  See you in Chicago!

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DeCosta named 2012 Outstanding Engineer

 

 

 

 

DeCosta to Receive Southeast Michigan IEEE Power and Energy Society Award

 

Commonwealth is delighted to announce that President Dennis F. DeCosta, P.E., will receive the 2012 Outstanding Engineer Award from the Southeastern Michigan chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Power and Energy Society (IEEE-PES).  The award will be presented on January 28, 2013 in Southfield, Michigan. 

DeCosta has a long history of involvement in establishing new standards for the industry, including chairing a Substation Committee Working Group and authoring articles in industry publications.  DeCosta was among the founders of Commonwealth when it began in 1988.  He assumed the role of President in 2001.  Under his leadership, the company has grown to 260 employees in six states: California, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio, Virginia, and Washington.  “I enjoy what I do and sharing that passion with others,” said DeCosta, “I thank the chapter for their industry leadership and for this honor."

 

We are proud of Dennis' accomplishments and congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition. 

 

For more information about the award, please visit: http://ieee-pes.org/chapters/resources/awards/power-and-energy-society-awards/outstanding-engineer-award

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WINDPOWER 2012 Wrap-up

AWEA's WINDPOWER 2012 in Atlanta is quickly coming to a close and our own Linda Gray, Vice President of Business Development, and engineers Gerry Callison and Bob Putnam say it was another great time.  They thoroughly enjoyed getting to talk with folks and hear their concerns and aspirations.  We continue to hear from customers that securing interconnection and transmission rights in MISO can be a difficult and frustrating process. 


The good news is that Commonwealth has vast experience working with both transmission providers and interconnection customers to achieve successful solutions. By employing detailed data not readily available to most and exercising directed and intense attention to the engineering details, including legal and economic, we are pleased to report that Commonwealth has been able to achieve good results for all parties.


Booth visitors were treated to a demonstration of our newest software release, Transmission Grid AnalyticsTM - Mapping.  This great new tool can link a wind resources map to electrical data on the nearest substation and make planning smarter, simpler, and easier.  


Who doesn't want that?
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More winners and pictures from Orlando

Commonwealth is pleased to announce the remaining Kindle Fire winners from Orlando:  G.T. Heydt, Franklin Lu, Dan Chaply, and Brian Booker.  Professor Heydt is the Regents' Professor and Center Director for the Power Systems Engineering Research Center at Arizona State University.  Mr. Lu is  Principal Engineer for System Planning and Protection with Snohomish County PUD.  Mr. Chaply is with PPL Electric Utilities.  Mr. Booker, T&D Lead at Arizona Public Service, is seen below with Commonwealth's Darryl Sentell.  Congratulations to all of our Kindle winners and a big "Thank you!" for visiting our booth and playing along.

G.T. Heydt

L-R: Franklin Lu, Dan Chaply

L-R: Brian Booker, Darryl Sentell

The team had a wonderful time in Orlando and after working hard for several days, decided to take a minute to relax their feet and enjoy the booth's comfy seats.

On Fire at IEEE in Orlando

We are pleased to announce the winners of our 2012 IEEE PES T&D Conference Kindle Fire Giveaway in Orlando!  Seen below with Commonwealth's Vice President of Business Development, Linda Gray, are winners Bob Sier and Ricardo Rodriquez.  Bob is an engineer in Substation Services with ATC.  Ricardo is an engineer with San Diego Gas & Electric.  Congratulations to both!

L-R: Bob Sier, Linda Gray

L-R: Ricardo Rodriquez, Linda Gray

Commonwealth's team is having a great time visiting with friends and making new ones, sharing the exciting new happenings at Commonwealth, and honing their expertise in the various technical sessions.  Among those in attendance is Steve Miller, seen below.  If you see Steve around Booth 955, you'll want to ask him how our newest transmission planning software releases in the Transmission Grid AnalyticsTM family -- namely Mapping and Cascade Analysis -- can help you plan smarter and easier.

Stephen S. Miller, P.E.

Easter Break and New Videos Released

Welcome back!  Hope your Easter break was enjoyable.  Can you believe the temperatures we've been having recently?  Of course, some have experienced more Midwestern storms wrecking havoc.  Our thoughts are certainly with those impacted.

Around Commonwealth, things have been exciting!  We've brought in a number of talented new folks to join the expanding team, are overhauling our website, and have created a series of videos to help tell the great story that is Commonwealth.

Here's a first look at Connect With Confidence:

If you are an engineer searching for that next job, or know someone who is, you'll want to watch this sneak peek of Working at Commonwealth:

You can view all of our new videos on our YouTube channel here.