Ben Ealey

About Ben Ealey

I help utilities turn DER interoperability from theory into something that actually works.I’m a Senior Principal Team Lead at EPRI, focused on DER data, communications, and interoperability - working at the intersection of grid codes, standards, field deployment, and real‑world utility operations. My work centers on helping utilities reduce integration risk, avoid costly rework, and move from “connectable” DERs to DERs that communicate predictably, when it matters, and without unexpected integration work.I lead and contribute to industry efforts spanning 1547, 2030.5, DER gateways, DERMS interfaces, EV integration, and cybersecurity, translating standards language into practical implementation guidance, lab validation, and peer‑driven deployment playbooks. This includes launching and operating interoperability labs, evaluating commercial technologies, hosting plugfests, and facilitating utility‑led task forces and standardization efforts.Across projects and standards work, my focus is the same: Make interoperability verifiable, repeatable, and utility‑operable Align protocols, settings, and responsibility boundaries at the grid edge 🧭 Help utilities prioritize emerging technologies based on fit, performance, and operational impactI work closely with utilities, vendors, regulators, and standards bodies to close the gap between requirements and reality so DER integration scales faster, more securely, and with lower operational burden.If you’re navigating DER communications, gateway architectures, EV/V2G integration, or the practical application of 1547, I’m always happy to compare notes.

Experience

1. Interoperability Subgroup Lead for Ieee 1547 Revision

   IEEE

   Dec 2022 — Present

Education

• University of Tennessee, Knoxville

  BS, Electrical Engineering

  2005 — 2009

• University of Tennessee, Knoxville

  MS, Electrical Engineering - Communication Theory

  2009 — 2011

Skills

• Python
• Digital Communication
• Putting Out Fires
• Field Work
• Engineering
• Data Analysis
• Microsoft Office
• Visual Basic
• Matlab
• Research
• Simulink
• Databases
• Instrumentation Development
• Simulations
• Testing
• Electrical Engineering
• Energy
• Energy Efficiency
• Sustainability
• Sql Server Management Studio
• Leadership
• Power Utilities
• Emerging Technologies
• Analysis
• Wireless Communications Systems
• Electronic Instrumentation
• Power Quality
• Labview
• Data Acquisition