IEEE Power & Energy Society Announces Candidates for Treasurer

The IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES) Governing Board approved the following candidates for the offices of 2026/2027: President-Elect, Treasurer, and Secretary.

The IEEE PES Governing Board is responsible for the administration and management of Society affairs in accordance with the rules and regulations of IEEE and the Constitution, Bylaws and Operations Manual of the Society.

The voting membership of IEEE annually elects officers that serve on the top-tier IEEE governing bodies. The candidates comprise of members who have been nominated either by the nominating committee for that position or by petition.

The IEEE Board of Directors nominates candidates for IEEE President-Elect, and divisional and regional nominating committees nominate the candidates for the Division and Region Director positions. The annual ballot also includes candidates for positions in the IEEE Standards Association, IEEE Technical Activities, IEEE-USA, and IEEE Women in Engineering.

Ramakrishna Kappagantu

Eficaa Ensmart Solutions Private Limited, Telangana, India

Dr. Ramakrishna Kappagantu holds a bachelor’s in electrical engineering from MNIT Jaipur, a master’s in Automation & Control from JNTU Hyderabad, and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from NIT Tiruchirappalli, India.

With over 39 years of leadership experience in India’s power sector (NTPC & POWERGRID), he currently serves as Chief Technology Advisor at Eficaa EnSmart Solutions Pvt. Ltd., focusing on strategic, technical, and innovation-led initiatives. He has made impactful contributions to the operation of the 55GW Southern Regional Grid, real-time system management, power markets, SCADA-EMS, smart grids, and Renewal deployment.

An IEEE and PES volunteer for over three decades, Ramakrishna has served as an IEEE Board Member, Region10 Director, and on PES and MGA Governing Boards. As Treasurer, he helped make IEEE Bangalore Section and India Council financially robust.

He is also a seasoned speaker, author, and has led several international IEEE conferences, and PES global workshops.

Candidate Statement:

The IEEE PES Treasurer plays a vital role in ensuring the society’s financial health through clarity, transparency, and effective collaboration. The role requires working closely with the IEEE PES President, staff, and Governing Board to maintain sound financial practices and ensure accurate, consistent reporting across all levels.

With extensive IEEE leadership experience — including as a member of the IEEE Board of Directors, MGA Board, Region 10 Director, Treasurer of IEEE India Council and Bangalore Section, and PES Governing Board — I bring a deep understanding of IEEE’s financial ecosystem. I have successfully led budgeting and financial planning for major Region 10 and MGA meetings, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and audit readiness.

My collaborative approach with both volunteers and staff has consistently led to timely financial reporting and smooth audits. I will apply this experience to ensure prudent financial oversight, prepare user-friendly financial statements, and provide actionable insights to the PES Board and global chapters.

As Treasurer, I am committed to upholding integrity, fiscal discipline, and strategic stewardship for the continued growth and global impact of IEEE PES.

Dean Sharafi

Australian Energy Market Operator, Perth, Australia

Dean Sharafi is the Strategic Advisor on energy transition at the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). Dean holds a degree in Applied Physics, a degree in Electrical Engineering and a degree in Business Management. He has over 30 years of experience in power system engineering, which includes Power System Protection, High Voltage Systems, Asset Management and Power System and Electricity Market Operation.

Dean is a senior member of the IEEE and has been involved with IEEE Power and Energy Society for twenty years including serving at the Governing Board from 2017 to 2022.

Dean has published many papers on power system protection, condition monitoring, asset management and power system operations. He lectured for a decade as a Sessional Academic on Power System Earthing at Curtin University in Western Australia.

Dean is an Associate Editor for the IEEE Transactions on Power Systems Journal and an IEEE Distinguished Lecturer.

Candidate Statement:

It is with great enthusiasm and a deep sense of responsibility that I announce my candidacy for a position on the IEEE PES Governing Board. With thirty years of experience in power system engineering I have dedicated my career to advancing the field through innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence. My professional journey has spanned many areas of power systems, and I have had the privilege of contributing to both industry and academia. As an engaged member of IEEE PES, I have served on technical committees, organized conferences and contributed to PES publications, gaining a deep understanding of our society’s mission and challenges.

If elected, I will focus on:

Promoting innovation and collaboration to address global energy challenges.
Supporting sustainable and resilient energy solutions for the future.
Expanding educational and mentorship opportunities for students and young professionals.
Enhancing PES’s global impact by fostering inclusivity and knowledge sharing.

I am committed to serving our community with integrity and vision. Thank you for your support and trust.