The Case for Highly Granular and Synchronized Measurements in Distribution Systems

Our panelists have witnessed first-hand the “when”, “what”, “how”, “why” and “why not” of using synchronized measurements of high accuracy in distribution systems. As the value propositions become test-cases and as the test-cases expand to wider deployments, the diversity of utility customers, the differences among feeders and the priorities thereof become the real drivers (or obstacles) to the adoption of smart meters, PMUs, point-on-wave and other sensing infrastructure. Moderated by Panos Moutis, City College of New York and DiSTT co-lead.

Meet the Panelists:

• Yoav Sharon is a Senior Manager at S&C Electric Company in Chicago, where he leads the Protection Systems & Engineering Group within the Technology & Breakthrough Innovation Department. His team explores digital innovations that improve the operation and reliability of electric distribution networks, collaborates to integrate these innovations into S&C products, and supports their adoption by protection and distribution automation engineers. He was a major contributor to the development of the first PMU-certified recloser control in the industry. Yoav earned his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is a licensed Professional Engineer, a Senior Member of the IEEE, the holder of 20 U.S. patents, author of 20 papers published in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings, and has delivered 5 invited presentations.
• Jason Johns is a Business Development Engineer at Powerside with over two decades of electrical industry experience, spanning apprentice, journeyman electrician and instrumentation and controls specialist, to EPRI Power Quality expert. He holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Arizona State University and is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM). Since joining Powerside in 2025, Jason focuses on expanding power quality services, deploying permanent monitoring solutions, and developing advanced, machine-learning-driven analytical tools for predictive insights and fleet-wide awareness.
• Bryce Johanneck has been a Journeyman Lineman, Meterman, Substation Technician, Distribution System Operator, ISO Meter Inspector (CAISO/ERCOT) and electric utility professional with 19 years of industry experience. He has extensive knowledge of electricity measurement, time synchronous grid data, databases, file structures, and distributed systems. He is interested and working towards developing and delivering North America’s most accurate Distribution System Models.