From July 21 to 25, 2024, the general meeting of the Power and Energy Society, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE PES General Meeting) was held in Seattle, Washington. The award ceremony took place on the evening of July 23, where Professor Kang Chongqing from Tsinghua University was invited to receive the IEEE PES Peter W. Sauer Outstanding Power Engineering Educator Award (Graduate Category).

Professor Kang Chongqing Received the IEEE PES Peter W. Sauer Award at the 2024 IEEE PES Annual Meeting

The awards conferred by IEEE PES are among the highest honors in the international academic field of power systems, recognizing scholars and engineers who have made outstanding contributions to the IEEE PES and the power and energy industry. Professor Kang Chongqing was awarded this honor for his significant contributions to education and student development in low-carbon power systems. Dr. Shay Bahramirad, President of IEEE PES, presented the award certificate to Kang Chongqing, stating, “For contribution to education and mentoring in low-carbon power systems engineering.”

Kang Chongqing Delivering Acceptance Speech

In his acceptance speech at the ceremony, Kang expressed heartfelt gratitude to his nominator, Professor Daniel Kirschen, and to all supporters. He thanked IEEE PES and the award committee for recognizing his contributions. He emphasized that over the past two decades, he has prioritized fostering students’ innovative thinking and guiding them to conduct scientific research that meets the practical demands of the power system field. He believes that the new generation of young power engineers will become the backbone in achieving low-carbon and sustainable development goals. Finally, Kang expressed sincere thanks to his alma mater, Tsinghua University, for providing a supportive development platform and research environment, noting that the university’s pursuit of academic innovation and encouragement of international perspectives have greatly facilitated faculty development.

IEEE PES Peter W. Sauer Outstanding Power Engineering Educator Award Medal and Honor Book

The IEEE PES Peter W. Sauer Outstanding Power Engineering Educator Award, originally named the Outstanding Power Engineering Educator Award, was established in 1989 to recognize outstanding educators in the field of electrical engineering. Until 2023, there was only one recipient each year. In 2024, to commemorate the distinguished educator in the field of power systems, National Academy of Engineering member, and IEEE Life Fellow Professor Peter W. Sauer, the award was renamed to include two recipients: one for graduate education and one for undergraduate education. Kang Chongqing is the first recipient from China since the award's establishment 35 years ago.