RALEIGH, N.C. — The Advanced Transportation Energy Center (ATEC) at North Carolina State University welcomes Ewan Pritchard as its new program manager and announces a strengthened relationship with Advanced Energy, a resource for innovative and market-based approaches to energy issues. Pritchardinitiated the hybrid electric transportation efforts at Advanced Energy, whichiswelcoming Jeffrey M. Barghout as its director of transportation initiatives. Together, the two organizations will continue to achieve cleaner transportation energy alternatives for North Carolina and the nation.
“We are thrilled that Ewan will be joining the ATEC team,” said. Dr. Alex Huang, director of ATEC. “Ewan has been at the cutting edge of hybrid-vehicle development, and we are glad he will bring his expertise to our organization. We look forward to all the great things he will accomplish.”
Established in 2008, ATEC focuses on transportation technologies including more efficient motors, better batteries and changing communication protocols. The organization is part of the College of Engineering at N.C. State and is a key component of the new FREEDM Systems Center, a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center headquartered at the University. Pritchard will play a key role in the organization’s mission to develop fundamental and enabling technologies that will enable the electric power industry to actively manage and control a large number of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) and PHEVs.
“Ewan has made unforgettable contributions to this organization,” said Advanced Energy President Bob Koger. “His efforts have helped shape a new future for the transportation industry in North Carolina and the nation. We look forward to continuing to work with him in his new role.”
At Advanced Energy, Barghout will develop and manage a variety of programs, oversee market research and critical analysis, and work with industry partners. He gained extensive experience at organizations such as the Southern Research Institute, RTI International and DaimlerChrysler. At DaimlerChrysler, Barghout implemented numerous testing initiatives and protocols for benchmarking vehicle emissions, fuel economy and performance. Additionally, he spent two years developing and building a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) as a part of General Motors’ Saturn HEV Challenge.
“We have great confidence in Jeff’s leadership,” said Ken Dulaney, director of Advanced Energy’s Industrial Commercial Solutions team. “His talent, experience and knowledge of the transportation industry will allow for a seamless transition, and his direction will advance the company as a leader in the field.”
With Barghout’s leadership, Advanced Energy will continue the testing, validation and demonstration of innovative transportation technology Pritchard championed. Advanced Energy’s Plug-In Hybrid Electric School Bus Program, started by Pritchard in 2002 when he was a graduate student in mechanical engineering at NC State, resulted in 15 plug-in hybrid electric school buses operating in 10 states nationwide and continually monitored for performance. Advanced Energy has also helped convert six Toyota Priuses to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) for local organizations as well as managing the first multi utility smart charging evaluation including 12 plug-in hybrids. The Raleigh, N.C., based nonprofit, located on N.C. State’s Centennial Campus, has plans to continue expanding efforts in the transportation industry, building on the success Pritchard initiated.
