BURLINGTON, MA--(Marketwire - July 27, 2010) - The U.S. National Committee (USNC) of CIGRÉ (International Council on Large Electric Systems) announced KEMA vice president of transmission and regulatory services Dr. Richard A. Wakefield as a 2010 recipient of the USNC Attwood Associate Award and the Distinguished Member Award. Wakefield was recognized for his technical contributions to ongoing CIGRÉ systems planning and development work and his leadership role on the USNC Executive Committee during his 16 years as a CIGRÉ member.
"With more than 30 years of experience with energy and utility systems has given Dick extensive knowledge and expertise in transmission and systems evaluation, which he has used to advance CIGRÉ'S mission," said Hugo van Nispen, president and managing director of KEMA, Inc. "Dick is especially deserving of these of these two honors for the dedication he has shown to CIGRÉ and the industry over the years."
CIGRÉ is an international association that develops and exchanges technical knowledge pertaining to generation and high voltage electricity transmission. First bestowed in 1983, the Attwood Associate Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to CIGRÉ on a national and/or international basis over an extended time period. Since 1996, CIGRÉ has been presenting the Distinguished Member Awards every two years. Recipients of this status distinction are recognized for making significant contributions to CIGRÉ'S development and work. Candidates are nominated for both awards.
Throughout his career, Wakefield has provided objective evaluations of future transmission needs and cost/reliability trade-offs associated with local generation versus transmission expansion for national and international clients. He also has testified on transmission issues extensively at both the federal and state levels. He twice served as chair of the IEEE-USA Energy Policy Committee from 1999 to 2004 and also was the convenor of CIGRÉ Working Group C1-7, through which he managed the complexity and uncertainties of load, generation, and markets in system development planning.
Wakefield holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Washington, an M.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois, and a B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of New Hampshire.
About KEMA
Founded in 1927, KEMA is a global provider of business and technical consulting, operational support, measurement and inspection, testing and certification for the energy and utility industry. With world headquarters in Arnhem, the Netherlands, KEMA employs more than 1,600 professionals globally with offices and representatives in more than 20 countries. KEMA's U.S. subsidiary, KEMA Inc. is headquartered in Burlington, Mass., and serves energy clients throughout the Americas and Caribbean.
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