Iranian Professor Honored with Prestigious IEEE PES Roy Billinton Award for Excellence in Power Engineering
In a remarkable achievement for the Iranian academic community, Mahmoud Fotuhi-Firuzabad, a prominent scientist, has been honored with the 2025 IEEE Power and Energy Society (PES) Roy Billinton Power System Reliability Award. This prestigious accolade recognizes his exceptional contributions to enhancing the reliability, resilience, and operational efficiency of electric power delivery systems, particularly under uncertain conditions.
The IEEE PES established this award to pay tribute to Professor Roy Billinton, an influential figure in the field of power system reliability. It aims to acknowledge individuals who have made significant advancements and contributions in this important area. The award ceremony was held on July 29 during the IEEE PES General Meeting in Austin, Texas, USA.
Fotuhi-Firuzabad’s Academic Journey
Mahmoud Fotuhi-Firuzabad, a Fellow of IEEE, has an impressive academic background:
- B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from Sharif University of Technology (1986)
- M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from University of Tehran (1989)
- Second M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from University of Saskatchewan, Canada (1993 and 1997)
He further enhanced his expertise as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Saskatchewan from 1998 to 2002. Currently, he serves as a Professor in the Electrical Engineering Department at Sharif University of Technology and is a member of the Center of Excellence in Power System Control and Management. Additionally, he holds a position as a Visiting Professor at Aalto University in Espoo, Finland.
Fotuhi-Firuzabad’s extensive research interests encompass:
- Power System Reliability
- Distributed Renewable Generation
- Demand Response
- Smart Grids
He has also served as the Editor-in-Chief of IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid and was in charge of IEEE Power Engineering Letters from 2017 to 2022. His leadership experience includes serving as the Chair of the Electrical Engineering Department from 2005 to 2014 and as the President of Sharif University of Technology from 2014 to 2021.
Acknowledgments and Awards
Throughout his illustrious career, Fotuhi-Firuzabad has received numerous national and international awards, affirming his impact in the field:
- 16th Khwarizmi International Award
- WIPO Award for Outstanding Inventor (2003)
- PMAPS International Society Merit Award for contributions to probabilistic methods applied to power systems (2016)
- Allameh Tabatabaei Award (2014)
IEEE Iran Section Recognition
In addition to Fotuhi-Firuzabad’s individual achievements, the IEEE organization has designated the IEEE Iran Section as the recipient of the Outstanding Section Award 2025. This award is one of IEEE’s most prestigious global honors, acknowledging sections that excel in educational, technical, research, and social domains while playing a crucial role in advancing science and technology.
The recognition of the IEEE Iran Section underscores the nation’s resilience, capabilities, talents, and commitment to building a brighter future. This award highlights the Section’s success in:
- Organizing technical activities
- Supporting professional and geographic initiatives
- Promoting Student Branches, Chapters, and Affinity Groups
The Outstanding Section Award serves as a testament to the IEEE Iran Section’s effectiveness in fulfilling the organization’s objectives through its diverse and impactful programs and activities.
In conclusion, Mahmoud Fotuhi-Firuzabad’s receipt of the IEEE PES Roy Billinton Power System Reliability Award, combined with the recognition of the IEEE Iran Section, not only reflects individual excellence but also highlights Iran’s contributions to the global scientific and technological landscape.
