John Mead, an electrical engineer in the electric power industry for over 35 years, has planned and designed large-scale electric distribution and transmission projects throughout the U.S. He has designed electrical interconnections for over 80 MW of renewable photovoltaic systems and power electronic converters for various energy storage technologies. Currently, he is a principal engineer in the grid technology engineering and evaluation group of PG&E’s Applied Technology Services department, where he evaluates new smart technology in support of the utility’s wildfire mitigation plan. Mead has a BSEE degree and is a registered professional electrical engineer in the state of California.