Invited Lecture: AI Data Centers and Their Impact on the Electrical Grid by Dr. Edvina Uzunovic
What: AI Data Centers and Their Impact on the Electrical Grid
Where: Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, room P6
When: September 23, at 13:00
Join us for an invited lecture by Dr. Uzunovic, a leading expert in power systems and candidate for IEEE PES President-Elect. She will share insights on how rapidly growing AI data centers are reshaping electricity demand and the future of the grid. The session will also include her vision for IEEE PES and an open discussion.
Organized by IEEE PES Slovenia Chapter and LEST, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, UL.
Abstract:
The electric power business is one of the most capital-intensive and highly regulated industries. To deliver electricity economically and efficiently, utilities have traditionally built grids sized just large enough to meet demand. However, with the rapid build-out of powerful data centers designed to run AI workloads, electricity demand is projected to increase at a tenfold rate by the end of this decade.
This presentation will assess the challenges of this unprecedented load growth and highlight how the power industry is preparing to address its impacts while continuing to deliver reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy to support economies worldwide.
Short Bio:
Dr. Edvina Uzunovic is the Associate Director of Power Systems Engineering and an Assistant Teaching Professor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Massachusetts, USA. With over 25 years of industry and academic experience, she has led and contributed to numerous innovations in power system. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Waterloo and has received multiple awards for her technical contributions to FACTS and grid modernization.
A senior IEEE PES member, Dr. Uzunovic founded PES University and has served as Vice President of Education, Region Representative, and Scholarship Committee Chair. Her leadership continues to shape workforce development and lifelong learning across the global power systems community.
More about the IEEE PES President Elect Candidacy:
Dr. Uzunovic’s talk will focus on advancing power systems education, innovation, and climate resilience in the face of emerging energy challenges. As the founder of PES University, she has championed continuous learning and professional development across the IEEE PES community. Her vision emphasizes bridging the gap between industry and academia to foster shared innovation and prepare the workforce for a sustainable energy future. Key focus areas include the integration of nuclear energy, particularly small modular reactors for high-demand AI data centers, as well as combining nuclear, hydrogen, and water-energy initiatives into modern grid strategies. Dr. Uzunovic advocates for standards that support emerging technologies while maintaining PES’s independence, technical integrity, and relevance. Her talk will reflect on her leadership journey, share insights into fostering a culture of inclusive education, and highlight opportunities for the next generation of engineers to lead resilient, decarbonized, and technically advanced power systems worldwide.