Yan Li

Ph.D. Candidate

Electrical and Computer Engineering

I am currently a Ph.D. candidate in Electrical Engineering at the University of Connecticut. My research interests include cyber-physical microgrids, cybersecurity, formal analysis, stability analysis and enhancement of power systems, software-defined networking, and optimization. I helped the UConn power lab secure over $3.4 million funding to conduct research in power and energy resilience and cybersecurity. I have also been a lead investigator for one DOE project, three NSF projects, and two Eversource Energy projects. I have contributed 28 peer-reviewed publications, 1 book, and 1 patent on cyber-physical microgrids and distribution systems, and will publish my second book Networked Microgrids by Cambridge University Press together with my advisor Dr. Peng Zhang. Due to my contributions in electrical engineering, I won the 2018 Connecticut Power and Energy Rising Star Award, was a 2018 Connecticut Women of Innovation Finalist, and have received ten other prestigious awards, including a UTC-IASE Fellowship, an Eversource Energy Fellowship, a UConn Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship, and a UConn Outstanding Predoctoral Fellowship. My career goal is to become a faculty member and keep contributing to the field of power engineering.

Systems Engineering Focus

Key Active Research Projects

• Department of Energy: Formal Analysis for Dynamic Stability Assessment of Large Interconnected Grids under Uncertainties.
• National Science Foundation: Enabling Reliable Networked Microgrids for Distribution Grid Resiliency.
• National Science Foundation: SCC: Empowering Smart and Connected Communities through Programmable Community Microgrids.

Future Directions

• Cyber Security, Programmable Microgrids, Formal Analysis, Software-Defined Networking

Key Skills/Capabilities

• Simulation Software: PSS/E, PSCAD, DIgSILENT/Powerfactory, Matlab/Simulink, PSASP, SSAT.
• Real-time Simulator: OPAL-RT, Mininet.
• Programming Language: C, C++, Python, Java Script, Fortran.