Dr. Kody Powell is an Assistant Professor and automation systems and simulation researcher in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Utah. His research work primarily deals with smarter operation of complex energy systems in order to improve system reliability and efficiency. The research leverages system flexibility via storage, hybridization, or scheduling in a proactive manner, often including forecasts of future energy supply and demand in order to make the system perform optimally over a time horizon. Dr. Powell is also the Director of the Intermountain Industrial Assessment Center, a U.S. Department of Energy-funded program that provides technical expertise to manufacturers. Through this program, Dr. Powell is able to incorporate real-world systems, data, designs, and technical challenges from the manufacturing sector into his research.