DLC, Lehigh University Partnership Aims to Advance Grid Modernization Innovation
DLC is strengthening its commitment to building a smarter, more resilient energy system through an ongoing partnership with Lehigh University. Through this partnership, both organizations are turning cutting-edge academic research into real-world solutions that benefit our customers and communities.
The collaboration, which launched in 2023 through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Technology Alliance (PITA), brings together industry expertise and university research to improve grid reliability, efficiency and long-term sustainability. The partnership has already delivered promising results and will continue with new projects planned for 2026.
"At DLC, innovation is driven by collaboration,” said Sabrina Nguyen, engineer – advanced grid, DLC. “By working alongside leading researchers, we’re able to explore new technologies, test solutions and accelerate advancements that directly support a more reliable and resilient grid for our customers.”
At the center of this work is Lehigh University’s INTEGRITY Lab, where researchers and DLC engineers are tackling some of today’s most pressing energy challenges. The partnership combines academic leadership from Dr. Javad Khazaei and his research team with DLC’s Advanced Grid Solutions group to develop practical, scalable applications.
Current and upcoming projects focus on improving how the electric grid performs under a variety of conditions, including:
- Modeling how direct current microgrids interact with the traditional alternating current grid to better understand and manage disturbances.
- Developing a small-scale inverter testing platform to improve device connectivity and performance insights.
- Expanding inverter research to evaluate how different configurations impact grid protection systems and overall reliability.
Because the university’s lab is already equipped with specialized infrastructure, testing can begin quickly – allowing DLC to accelerate innovation while reducing risk and cost. The insights gained help inform DLC’s broader grid modernization strategy and support more efficient deployment of new technologies.
"This partnership allows us to bridge the gap between research and real-world application,” said Dr. Javad Khazaei, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at Lehigh University. “Together, we’re developing solutions that not only advance academic knowledge but also strengthen the electric grid and support the transition to a cleaner energy future.”
Each project is carefully selected to deliver both academic and operational value, aligning with DLC’s long-term goals to enhance grid resilience, improve efficiency and reduce carbon impacts.
As energy systems continue to evolve, collaborations like this play a vital role in ensuring the grid can meet future demands – while delivering safe, reliable and affordable service to our customers.
