Optimal scheduling of electrical production and transportation is a challenging engineering task that takes into account consumer and industrial demand, climate, the environment, and the availability of fuel. Financial economics and asset management are two of the largest factors and they are areas outside the realm of expertise of most engineers.

“I wanted to be a better bridge between engineering solutions and management decisions,” says Gerald Sheblé. “There’s a huge disconnect between economists and engineers today, but I can speak both languages.”

Sheblé spent 15 years working in the power industry, developing software systems to optimize the control and scheduling of electrical power systems such as Commonwealth Edison in Chicago and the Bonneville Power Administration in Portland. He has worked for several companies outside of academia, including his own consulting firm. In addition to his Ph.D. in engineering, Sheblé has a master’s degree in business administration, which enables him to talk to utilities managers about everything having to do with the financial end of their businesses.

Among other things, Sheblé’s computer models help utilities minimize their operating costs by determining the most economical combination of resources, including coal, oil, geothermal, and hydroelectric, as well as renewable energy sources. His research has helped power companies in more than 24 countries around the world in over 40 control centers.