Aleksi Paaso Vice President, Distribution
Aleksi Paaso, PHD, PE, Vice President, Distribution, provides leadership to Quanta Technology in developing and executing strategies for grid transformation and modernization. He has worked in key leadership roles at electric utilities, where he has led large teams in key utility functions, including T&D planning, asset management, investment strategy, design, and smart grid. He has also led key initiatives to establish and execute plans that modernize grid infrastructure, introduce new grid technologies (e.g., microgrids, energy storage, and advanced sensors), and transform important utility processes. He has also held key positions in the utility Incident Command Structure (ICS), including Deputy Incident Commander and Public Information Officer.
In the industry, he has led efforts at IEEE PES in leading local organization committees for several major PES conferences. Currently, he leads the IEEE PES Industry Technical Support Leadership Committee (ITS-LC) to foster partnerships with governmental and regulatory groups and corporate members and drive fast-tracked efforts to address key industry needs. He is a Professional Engineer in Illinois.
Areas of Expertise
- Grid modernization
- Distributed energy resources and emerging technologies
- Distribution system, reliability, and resilience planning
- Investment strategy, utility strategy, and regulatory support
Experience & Background
- Years of experience in the electric power industry- over 15
- Vice President, Distribution Engineering and Investment Strategy, LUMA
- Director, Distribution Planning, Smart Grid and Innovation, ComEd/Exelon
Accomplishments & Industry Recognition
- Executive Chair, IEEE PES Innovative Smart Grid Technologies Latin America Conference, 2023
- Chair, IEEE PES Industry Technical Support Leadership Committee (ITS-LC), 2021–Present
- Association of Edison Illuminating Companies Achievement Award (Bronzeville Microgrid Team), 2018
- Technical Co-Chair, IEEE PES Transmission & Distribution Conference & Exposition, 2018
- Vice Chair, IEEE PES General Meeting, 2017
- Professional Engineer, IL, 2016–Present
- Senior Member, IEEE PES, 2016–Present
- 1st Place Award, CIGRE US National Committee Next Generation Network Paper Competition, 2015
Education
- PhD, Electrical Engineering, University of Kentucky, 2014
- MS, Electrical Engineering, University of Kentucky, 2011
- BSc, Electrical Engineering, Western Kentucky University, 2009