Technology

TRANSFORMING THE ELECTRICAL GRID STARTS WITH RESEARCHER’S ‘BUILDING BLOCKS’

Published

1 year ago

January 29, 2025

MILWAUKEE, Jan. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Electrical outages have become a common occurrence around the globe. With a rise in extreme weather, an ever-growing demand for energy, and an aging electrical grid, Robert Cuzner believes it’s only going to get worse.

Cuzner, a professor of electrical engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (UWM), has noticed the trend in Southeast Wisconsin, where Microsoft Corporation is building a data center that will soon be largest individual consumer of electricity in Wisconsin. As for the more garden variety of outages, Cuzner said, the future looks just as worrisome. “In the last year, I’ve kept track at my home, and I’ve been without power for at least 100 hours,” he said.

How can the U.S. fix its infrastructure and boost reliability without starting from scratch?

The answer, Cuzner said, is microgrid technology. Microgrids are power sources for a limited area, such as a military base. They integrate different kinds of energy, such as diesel generators, solar cells, wind turbines, fuel cells and battery banks, whether connected to the main grid or operating as an “island,” serving as backup power for the immediate vicinity it serves.

Cuzner views microgrids as pathways to transform the old grid into an automated modern system. Because of microgrids’ systemwide communication – the components “talk” to each other – they are much quicker at detecting defects before they lead to a blackout.

However, because microgrids are smart, they are complex, making them expensive to operate. Cuzner has pioneered an idea that would clear the way to for microgrids to thrive commercially. He proposes breaking them down into “building blocks,” or smaller units of microgrid components, called nanogrids.

The background on microgrids

One reason microgrids aren’t widely used yet involves equipment compatibility, Cuzner said.

“You’re trying to merge the old infrastructure with the new equipment of the microgrid, where no uniform standards exist,” Cuzner said.

Finding the equipment needed to integrate renewables is one example, said Mark Vygoder, a doctoral student and longtime lab member. Cuzner’s lab members have been working with large U.S. military bases in Europe that already use microgrids to address grid insecurity but are grappling with costs related to knitting together unstandardized equipment.

“It’s a bit like the Wild West where you can buy devices from different vendors and all the products are a little bit different,” Vygoder said. “So, it becomes quite costly when you have to hire a service provider to sort that out for you. When the microgrid operates independent of the grid, all those different components need to coordinate and communicate.”

Cuzner and his lab members are working with researchers Giovanna Oriti, Douglas Van Bossuyt, Ron Giachetti and Dan Nussbaum at the Naval Postgraduate School in California with support from a series of grants from the U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC) to simplify the architecture, employ artificial intelligence, and bring down the cost of microgrids.

UWM expertise in power distribution

Cuzner, an expert in power controls, conversion and distribution – the areas of vulnerability in microgrid technology – stands at the center of UWM’s reputation as a leader in both energy storage and electric grid technology.

Cuzner’s lab is a lead partner in the GRid-connected Advanced Power Electronic Systems (GRAPES), a national industry/university research center that aims to accelerate insertion of power electronics into the national grid.

Cuzner, Vygoder and Andrew Eggebeen, a recent PhD graduate in computer engineering, who worked in Cuzner’s lab, visited three U.S. bases in Europe in the summer of 2023 to get a first-hand look at how these microgrids are being implemented and their limitations.

“One thing we found was that these bases are very large and spread out, leading to transmission problems,” Cuzner said. “In one case, the solar array is several miles outside of the base.”

To solve the problem, Cuzner and his colleagues at the Naval Post Graduate School developed a “zonal distribution concept” – essentially breaking microgrids down into less complex units, called nanogrids.

What is a nanogrid?

Cuzner’s background is in the conversion of Navy shipboard power generation to electrical distribution. Such architecture features damage-control zones: When the power goes out in one part of the ship, the system reroutes itself using smart switchgear and continues to operate with only the affected zone shut down.

Nanogrids can be strung together within the microgrid itself, improving overall smart capabilities. And they can be added one at a time, easing the cost burden of a microgrid.

Cuzner and his team are researching the best ways to standardize components supplied by commercial vendors and ensure “grid-edge inter-compatibility,” which means that even components supplied by different vendors can work and play well together.

“If smart components of a nanogrid are standardized,” Cuzner said, “it can become a ‘plug and play’ building block that can be produced cost-efficiently.”

UWM’s microgrid ‘sandbox’

To work out the details of nanogrids, Cuzner’s lab members have built a fully functional microgrid at the University Services & Research building near UWM’s Kenwood campus. Since 2021, the lab has been building an energy distribution system with smart metering and controls, giving them an experimental sandbox.

The researchers can now observe how a microgrid responds under varying conditions, quantify how commercial components monitor microgrid data, and then simulate in real-time a full-scale system that interacts with real control hardware.

“With our microgrid, we can simulate equipment that is on the grid, test it at scale, quantify the ‘grid-edge’ where everything comes together, and figure out how to improve performance,” Cuzner said. “That’s something no one else has done yet.”

In 2023, they worked with a local company, Badger Technologies, to install, test and integrate a battery energy storage system with the UWM microgrid. In addition, UWM’s microgrid includes a solar array, one wind turbine, two natural gas generators and a smart switch that could connect it to the national grid.

The college is currently exploring ways to secure federal funding to turn the UWM microgrid into an industry-collaborative lab with a 1,000-13,000-volt testing facility. Such a facility would attract industry, quicken the pace of new microgrid technology and would include research on electric ships and aircraft.

Power, energy and controls in focus

Nanogrids also improve control of the flow of electricity if connected to the grid.

Control refers to how the existing grid meets demand. Higher than normal demand for electricity could cause a blackout, but so could a glut of power to the grid from renewables.

Another benefit of nanogrids is that the controls can be built from the “bottom up,” Vygoder said, giving nanogrids the ability to speedily compensate for power disturbances.

Southeast Wisconsin is the perfect place to develop this commercial potential with its cluster of companies related to energy, power and controls. UWM is at the epicenter, with longstanding research partnerships with industry leaders including Eaton, Rockwell Automation, Leonardo DRS, and Johnson Controls.

Most recently, Office of Naval Research has funded Cuzner to develop a “digital twin” approach to study how nanogrid components respond to a wide range of both normal and damaged scenarios.

AI and nanogrid decision-making

Digital twins rely on artificial intelligence to improve communication among the smart components of both micro and nanogrids. It’s the next step in the integration research.

When paired with machine learning, AI could potentially allow microgrids and nanogrids to teach themselves what leads to a breakdown and autonomously decide what to do when they detect trouble brewing.

For this research, Cuzner has consulted with Zhen Zeng, UWM assistant professor of computer science, who is an expert in digital twins and cybersecurity. Zeng is co-advising computer engineering students who are helping in Cuzner’s lab, bringing together power/energy and computer engineering in the college.

“When we feed a lot of information into an AI model, the model can quickly tell you what is going on in the system,” said Zeng. “We try to understand which situations we would need to consider when building cyber-protection into the design.”

This news release was issued on behalf of Newswise™. For more information, visit http://www.newswise.com.

Media Contacts: Laura Otto
Senior Public Relations specialist
LLHunt@uwm.edu
Phone: 414-229-6447

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SOURCE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE

Technology

AI-Powered Connectivity: APAC Charts a Path to a Smarter Digital Future

Published

3 hours ago

July 18, 2026

Asia-Pacific’s first Broadband Development Summit brings regulators and operators to Bangkok to set the agenda

BANGKOK, July 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Government officials, standards bodies and telecom operators gathered in Bangkok on 14 July for the inaugural Broadband Development Summit APAC 2026, convened by the World Broadband Association (WBBA) to build consensus on AI-era networks.

Participants included the ITU, Thailand’s National Board of the Digital Economy and Society, WBBA, IAB, FNCAP, WAA, NIDA and the IPv6 Council, alongside operators Telkomsel, XLSmart, Surge, Globe, AIS, CMI and HKT and Huawei.

Denny Deng, President of Huawei Asia Pacific Carrier Business, envisions a “faster, smarter, greener” Asia-Pacific.

VOICES FROM THE SUMMIT

“To seize the opportunities of the AI era, we call on the industry to accelerate broadband evolution, advance computing-network synergy, and strengthen the cross-border connectivity. Together, let us build faster, smarter, and greener digital infrastructure for Asia-Pacific.”
— Denny Deng, President of Asia Pacific Carrier Business, Huawei

“High-speed broadband is no longer just about ‘getting online’ — it is the vital infrastructure upon which the entire AI revolution is being built. We view AI not merely as a tool, but as a primary engine for national competitiveness and a catalyst for improving the quality of life for all.”
— Wetang Phuangsup, Ph.D., Secretary-General, the National Board of the Digital Economy and Society, Thailand

“Three initiatives define the road to 2030. We must close the quality divide so the value of broadband reaches everyone. We must build AI-ready networks — 10G access, 800GE cores, intelligence end to end. And we must do it together, through shared standards.”
— Martin Creaner, Director General of WBBA

“Moving towards next-generation networks, network architectures must continue to evolve to deliver broader connectivity, superior quality, enhanced security, and greater intelligence. This evolution is essential for Net5.5G, positioning the network not simply as infrastructure, but as the foundation that enables AI, strengthens resilience and efficiency, and supports digital transformation across industries.”
— Dhruv Dhody, Industry Standardization Expert at Huawei, Chair of the IAB, IETF

“Across Asia-Pacific, fibre is extending beyond homes and offices into rooms, devices, and machines. By working together, we can accelerate fibre innovation and adoption to build truly AI-ready infrastructure.”
— Ilham Nandana, Chair of the Market Intelligence Committee, Fiber Network Council APAC (FNCAP)

“We fixed it before you feel it! AIS is redefining premium home broadband by combining ultra-fast connectivity with AI-driven network intelligence and smart home ecosystem — delivering proactive, invisible service excellence that transforms connectivity into differentiated customer value and sustainable ARPU growth.”
— Thanit Chaiyaboonthanit, Head of Technology Department, Broadband Business, AIS

“Connecting the Unconnected: Affordable Broadband at Scale. Create equal access to global information and empower Indonesia’s digital society.”
— Shannedy Ong, CTO of Surge Indonesia

“Beyond Connectivity: Telkomsel is transforming into a true value creator. By leveraging our FBB market-leading footprint, we power growth through service excellence, customer loyalty, and a next-generation home ecosystem.”
— Stanislaus Susatyo, Director of Sales, Telkomsel Indonesia

“We stopped treating AI as an add-on feature. Instead, our approach at Globe starts with architecture, embedding intelligence into the very core of how we build, how we sell, and how we operate.
AI continuously monitors network health, customer behavior and service quality. Rather than waiting for failures, the system predicts degradation and initiates corrective actions. By maintaining minute-level awareness of network health, our systems automatically resolve 30% of all Wi-Fi issues without any human intervention.”
— Danny Theseira, Head of Broadband Business Group at Globe Telecom

“Huawei is driving the Optics-AI Synergy to foster their collaborative growth. Through AI-ON, operators could build an AI-centric all-optical target network and establish 1-5-20ms latency circles across the Asia Pacific region. AI-ON also supports efficient computing access and usage while delivering an ultimate network experience through gigabit/ultra-gigabit home broadband, accelerating the widespread adoption of AI services.”
— Kim Jin, Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer Optical Business Product Line, Huawei

“Connectivity is not just about technology. It is a lifeline, a platform for opportunity, and a driver of sustainable development. I believe the intersection of connectivity and artificial intelligence will shape the future of smarter, more resilient networks.”
— Dr. Cosmas Zavazava, Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau, ITU

“Performance and user experience are the essential path to the next-generation WLAN. Based on standards and AI-driven innovation, let’s jointly explore the path to the future autonomous WLAN with all the stakeholders.”
— Dr. Crane H. Yang, Secretary-General, World WLAN Application Alliance (WAA)

“At the summit, NIDA and WBBA signed an MOU to accelerate next-generation network evolution and establish pioneering smart city benchmarks through the co-development of industry standards, the harmonization of global regulations, and the sharing of vertical industry insights.
NIDA focuses on advancing network architecture standards, while WBBA drives global consensus on broadband evolution. This natural strategic complementarity creates vast opportunities for future collaboration.”
— Joey Deng, Secretary-General of NIDA

“ION-2030 develops the global standard for next generation optical networks in the AI era. It provides exceptional AI application and service experience. The WBBA and ITU will jointly accelerate its development, and this is a unique opportunity for Asia-Pacific stakeholders to actively influence the future of optical broadband networks.”
— Dr. Marcus Brunner, Chief Expert Standardization, WBBA WG1 Chair and Vice-Chair of ETSI ISG F5G

“The transition into the AI era demands a high-quality, deterministic digital foundation. By releasing Net5.5G policy guidelines, Malaysia is accelerating the evolution of next-generation network standards based on IPv6, establishing an innovative infrastructure to unleash AI’s value and drive a prosperous digital economy for 2030.”
— Prof. Sureswaran Ramadass, Chair of APAC at IPv6 Council, Industry Partner of WBBA

“The digital economy is thriving across the Asia-Pacific region, with AI emerging as a core catalyst for intelligent transformation. China Mobile International (CMI) is driving regional growth by integrating China’s advanced AI capabilities with comprehensive communications, computing, and AI services. Moving forward, CMI will collaborate closely with industry partners to foster a shared, AI-driven future for the region.”
— Paul Lin, Managing Director of Commercial and Technology, Asia Pacific, China Mobile International

“Next-generation network infrastructure is the oxygen of the intelligent economy. By integrating cutting-edge 800G connectivity with quantum-safe security, HKT is laying the essential foundations to keep Hong Kong’s enterprises highly competitive, secure, and ready for the computing paradigm shifts of tomorrow.”
— Wilson Cheung, Vice President, Broadband Design & Cyber Security, HKT

“The evolution toward Net5.5G AI WAN is an important step in strengthening XLSMART’s transport network for the future. By progressively adopting AI-assisted operations, SRv6, SDN, service differentiation, and higher-capacity transport infrastructure, we are enhancing network intelligence, operational efficiency, and service resilience while supporting long-term sustainability. This transformation is a continuous journey that aligns with the industry’s vision of AI-native broadband networks. Through collaboration with our technology partners and the broader ecosystem, we will continue to develop capabilities that deliver better network performance and support Indonesia’s growing digital connectivity needs.”
— Regie Ginanjar, Head of Transport Autonomy & Orchestration, Transport Network Transformation, XLSMART

“For the AI era, Huawei upgrades the IP bearer network via security resilience, multi-dimensional awareness, and network autonomy. This empowers carriers to guarantee service experience, accelerate monetization, and enhance efficiency, ushering in a new chapter of intelligent connectivity.”
— Arthur Wang, Vice President of Data Communication Product Line, Huawei

A CONVERGING VIEW

Speakers agreed AI is shifting networks from connectivity to intelligent connectivity, as broadband, IP, computing and cross-border infrastructure converge to support innovation and coordination.

WBBA launched the AI-Net Certification, a global benchmark for national policy, industrial ecosystems and network intelligence. XLSmart was named first AI-Net Champion, and Indonesia was among the first with a certified operator, backed by its Net5.5G roadmap.

In another high-profile segment, WBBA Director General Martin Creaner presented the Gigacity Certification to KOMDIGI, SURGE, Telkomsel, AIS, TRUE, HKT and Globe, recognizing regional broadband pioneers.

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SOURCE HUAWEI

Technology

Laifen Expands U.S. Retail Footprint with Costco Launch of Best-Selling SE Hair Dryer

Published

4 hours ago

July 18, 2026

Starting July 18, Costco Members Can Shop Laifen’s Award-Winning Hair Dryer in Select Warehouse Locations Across the U.S.

NEW YORK, July 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Laifen, ranked the world’s No.1 high-speed hair dryer brand, today announced the launch of its best-selling SE High-Speed Hair Dryer at select Costco warehouse locations, marking the brand’s largest U.S. retail expansion to date and bringing its award-winning haircare technology to Costco members across select U.S. markets.

The launch brings Laifen’s award-winning haircare technology to Costco, making it easier for consumers to experience the brand through one of the nation’s leading membership retailers. Laifen joins Costco’s growing portfolio of premium beauty and personal care brands. The initial rollout includes select Costco warehouse locations across the United States, with a strong presence across the Western U.S., including California, the Pacific Northwest and the Southwest.

Costco’s reputation for quality and its highly selective merchandising approach make this partnership especially meaningful. The Costco launch reflects Laifen’s continued expansion beyond direct-to-consumer channels as the brand accelerates its U.S. omnichannel retail strategy. “Costco represents an important milestone in our U.S. retail strategy,” said Romeo, General Manager of International Business of Laifen. “As more consumers seek salon-quality performance at an accessible price, we’re excited to make Laifen available through one of America’s most trusted retailers.”

Engineered to deliver professional-level performance in a sleek, lightweight design, the Laifen SE is powered by the brand’s proprietary high-speed brushless motor, delivering fast drying, reduced heat damage and smoother styling. An intelligent temperature control system continuously monitors airflow to help minimize frizz while protecting hair from excessive heat.

The Costco launch represents the next phase of Laifen’s U.S. retail expansion as the brand continues to grow beyond its direct-to-consumer and online channels. By expanding into one of the nation’s most trusted retailers, Laifen aims to broaden access to its category-disrupting haircare solutions while advancing its mission to bring more thoughtful design and everyday excellence into more homes.

The Laifen SE High-Speed Hair Dryer in White will be available at select Costco locations, while Costco.com shoppers will have access to additional color options including Purple and Pink, alongside the White model.

For more information on Laifen, please visit LaifenTech.com.

About Laifen:

Founded in 2019, Laifen is a global personal care technology brand combining high-performance engineering with modern design across hair care, oral care, and grooming categories. Ranked the world’s No. 1 high-speed hair dryer brand by Euromonitor International, Laifen first gained recognition for its self-developed 110,000 RPM high-speed brushless motor, the proprietary technology behind its award-winning hair dryers.

Building on this innovation, Laifen has expanded its portfolio to include electric toothbrushes and shavers, delivering premium technology and elevated everyday experiences to consumers worldwide. Today, Laifen products and accessories are used by over 22 million households across more than 60 countries, supported by more than 600 patents and recognized with over 50 international design and innovation awards. Driven by continuous technological breakthroughs, Laifen is committed to making cutting-edge personal care technology more accessible to consumers around the world.

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SOURCE Laifen

Technology

Pillsbury Notice of Data Breach

Published

7 hours ago

July 18, 2026

NEW YORK, July 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP (“Pillsbury”) was among many law firms targeted by sophisticated social engineering attempts in an incident last year. While the firm quickly detected and blocked the activity, an unauthorized actor was able to access some of the firm’s documents during a short window of time. Pillsbury notified any impacted clients last year and undertook a detailed process to review the accessed documents for personal information. Pillsbury then began notifying individuals whose personal information was affected. That process is now complete, and today, Pillsbury is publishing substitute notice as a final step.

For more information, please visit the substitute notice on our website at https://www.pillsburylaw.com/en/breach-notice.html.

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SOURCE Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP