Students at LSU New Orleans pursuing careers in engineering and the energy sector are set to benefit from expanded access to technology, research and practical training following a combined $1.5 million investment from Entergy and Ampirical to modernize the university’s Power and Energy Research Laboratory (PERL).
Entergy will provide $750,000 in shareholder-funded support, while Ampirical will contribute another $750,000 over five years. The funding will help modernize PERL with updated simulation capabilities, modeling software and teaching technologies. It will also support student scholarships and recruitment efforts and help maintain the laboratory’s ongoing operations.
The initiative expands on LSU New Orleans’ established relationships with the energy sector and is intended to strengthen the connection between engineering education and employment opportunities in the industry.
“This investment is a prime example of what we want to accomplish at LSU New Orleans – connecting the education our students receive in the classroom with meaningful opportunities in the workforce when they graduate,” said Jeanette Weiland, interim chancellor and chief administrative officer of LSU New Orleans.
“Our goal is to establish LSU New Orleans as the destination for engineering education in the New Orleans region, where students can gain the knowledge, hands-on experience and industry connections they need to build successful careers. With nearly 500 of our current students already working at Entergy and Ampirical, these relationships are also helping ensure Louisiana has the highly skilled engineering talent needed to support its future.”
Strengthening Power and Energy Education
PERL was established in 2009 through a collaboration involving Entergy, LSU New Orleans and the State of Louisiana. Its development followed the establishment of the $2 million Entergy Endowed Chair in Power Systems Engineering in 2007.
The laboratory enables students and faculty to take engineering theory into practical applications involving real-world energy challenges. Beyond its role in establishing the endowed chair, Entergy has provided more than $4.5 million in university research funding over the years. That work has covered areas including electric-grid reliability and resilience, hurricane preparedness, blackout prevention, transmission systems, renewable-energy integration and emerging energy technologies.
“The power and energy industry has changed dramatically since PERL was established, and it is important that our students learn and train using the technology they will encounter in today’s workforce,” said Parviz Rastgoufard, Ph.D., Entergy Endowed Chair for Power Systems Engineering and director of PERL. “This investment will allow us to upgrade the lab and provide students with an educational experience that reflects where the industry is headed.”
Connecting Industry, Research and Workforce Development
The investment also reflects the broader partnership between higher education, industry and research.
Kimberly Cook-Nelson, Entergy executive vice president and chief operating officer, said the collaboration demonstrates the benefits of bringing these areas together. She noted that the new funding will give students greater exposure to advanced technologies and practical experience while supporting research aimed at addressing changing energy-sector and community needs.
For Ampirical, the investment represents a way to strengthen the regional engineering workforce.
“As an engineering led services company, we know firsthand how important it is to develop a strong pipeline of talented engineers who are prepared for the demands of a rapidly changing industry,” said Matthew Saacks, Ampirical CEO. “Our investment in LSU New Orleans is an investment in those future professionals and in the educational and research opportunities that will help keep engineering talent here in our region.”
A Foundation for a Future Research Institute
The modernization project also supports LSU New Orleans’ longer-term plans to expand PERL into a Power and Energy Research Institute.
The proposed institute would create broader opportunities for cooperation among LSU New Orleans, utilities and additional industry partners. Its objectives would include attracting more research funding and expanding capabilities in power-system modeling, simulation, analysis, testing and workforce training.
Through the planned expansion, LSU New Orleans aims to further integrate education, applied research and industry collaboration while preparing students for the evolving technical requirements of the power and energy sector.
Entergy will provide $750,000 in shareholder-funded support, while Ampirical will contribute another $750,000 over five years. The funding will help modernize PERL with updated simulation capabilities, modeling software and teaching technologies. It will also support student scholarships and recruitment efforts and help maintain the laboratory’s ongoing operations.
The initiative expands on LSU New Orleans’ established relationships with the energy sector and is intended to strengthen the connection between engineering education and employment opportunities in the industry.
“This investment is a prime example of what we want to accomplish at LSU New Orleans – connecting the education our students receive in the classroom with meaningful opportunities in the workforce when they graduate,” said Jeanette Weiland, interim chancellor and chief administrative officer of LSU New Orleans.
“Our goal is to establish LSU New Orleans as the destination for engineering education in the New Orleans region, where students can gain the knowledge, hands-on experience and industry connections they need to build successful careers. With nearly 500 of our current students already working at Entergy and Ampirical, these relationships are also helping ensure Louisiana has the highly skilled engineering talent needed to support its future.”
Strengthening Power and Energy Education
PERL was established in 2009 through a collaboration involving Entergy, LSU New Orleans and the State of Louisiana. Its development followed the establishment of the $2 million Entergy Endowed Chair in Power Systems Engineering in 2007.
The laboratory enables students and faculty to take engineering theory into practical applications involving real-world energy challenges. Beyond its role in establishing the endowed chair, Entergy has provided more than $4.5 million in university research funding over the years. That work has covered areas including electric-grid reliability and resilience, hurricane preparedness, blackout prevention, transmission systems, renewable-energy integration and emerging energy technologies.
“The power and energy industry has changed dramatically since PERL was established, and it is important that our students learn and train using the technology they will encounter in today’s workforce,” said Parviz Rastgoufard, Ph.D., Entergy Endowed Chair for Power Systems Engineering and director of PERL. “This investment will allow us to upgrade the lab and provide students with an educational experience that reflects where the industry is headed.”
Connecting Industry, Research and Workforce Development
The investment also reflects the broader partnership between higher education, industry and research.
Kimberly Cook-Nelson, Entergy executive vice president and chief operating officer, said the collaboration demonstrates the benefits of bringing these areas together. She noted that the new funding will give students greater exposure to advanced technologies and practical experience while supporting research aimed at addressing changing energy-sector and community needs.
For Ampirical, the investment represents a way to strengthen the regional engineering workforce.
“As an engineering led services company, we know firsthand how important it is to develop a strong pipeline of talented engineers who are prepared for the demands of a rapidly changing industry,” said Matthew Saacks, Ampirical CEO. “Our investment in LSU New Orleans is an investment in those future professionals and in the educational and research opportunities that will help keep engineering talent here in our region.”
A Foundation for a Future Research Institute
The modernization project also supports LSU New Orleans’ longer-term plans to expand PERL into a Power and Energy Research Institute.
The proposed institute would create broader opportunities for cooperation among LSU New Orleans, utilities and additional industry partners. Its objectives would include attracting more research funding and expanding capabilities in power-system modeling, simulation, analysis, testing and workforce training.
Through the planned expansion, LSU New Orleans aims to further integrate education, applied research and industry collaboration while preparing students for the evolving technical requirements of the power and energy sector.
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