Hantao Cui

Associate Professor
(919) 513-2024
21 FREEDM, Keystone Science Center, 1791 Varsity Dr., Raleigh, NC, 27606, US

Research focuses on computational methods for power systems: modeling, simulation, stability analysis, open-source infrastructure (ANDES), and data-center loads

Education

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Ph.D. Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
2013 - 2018
Dissertation: Large-Scale Simulation of Modern Electric Power Systems

Southeast University

M.S. Electrical Engineering
2011 - 2013

Southeast University

B.S. Electrical Engineering | Chien-Shiung Wu Honor College
2007 - 2011

Work Experience

North Carolina State University

Associate Professor
2024 - Present

Research in power system modeling and simulation, open-source software, and data-center loads; teaching from circuit analysis to computational research

Oklahoma State University

Assistant Professor
2021 - 2024

Research and teaching in power systems and scientific computing

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Research Assistant Professor
2019 - 2021

Research in power system simulation and open-source software development

Research Associate
2017 - 2019

Research in large-scale power system simulation and cyber-physical systems

Research Areas

Research Software Infrastructure for Power Systems

Advanced Grid Modeling, Simulation, and Stability Analysis

High-Performance Computing of Power Flow and Dynamic Simulation

Data-Center and Emerging Load Dynamics

Emerging Learning Techniques for Control

Publications

Names with + denote mentees of Cui.

Projects

Author and Lead Developer
Jan 2015 – Present
Python Software for Power System Modeling and Simulation
  • Author and lead developer; 4,000+ commits, 370+ GitHub stars, and 150+ forks
  • PSS/E compatible; verified against commercial tools; used in NSF and DOE projects
Python Power Systems Simulation Open Source
Lead Principal Investigator
Jan 2026 – Jan 2029
CyberTraining: Implementation: Small: PowerCyber: Scalable Workforce Development for AI-Enabled Power Grids
Scales the PowerCyber pilot from computational training into a national workforce program
Education Workforce Power Systems Cyberinfrastructure

Dynamic Data Center Models

Principal Investigator
Jan 2026 – Present
Dynamic data-center models to enhance grid stability and reliability
Data Centers Grid Stability Power Systems
Principal Investigator
Sep 2024 – Aug 2029
Multi-Timescale Dynamics Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis of Converter-Dominated Power Systems
Power Systems Dynamics Simulation

POSE

Principal Investigator
Sep 2024 – Aug 2025
Toward an Open-Source Ecosystem for Power Systems Research, Education, and Industry Applications
Open Source Power Systems Education

HVDC-Learn

Co-Principal Investigator
Jan 2024 – Dec 2026
Modular Education & Workforce Training in High Voltage Direct Current Electric Transmission
Education HVDC Power Systems

PowerCyber Pilot

Lead Principal Investigator
Jan 2024 – Dec 2025
CyberTraining: Pilot: PowerCyber: Computational Training for Power Engineering Researchers
Education Power Systems Computation

High-Performance Power System Simulation

Principal Investigator
Sep 2022 – Aug 2025
High-Performance Transient Stability Simulation of Power Systems on Modern Parallel Computing Hardware
HPC Power Systems Simulation

Teaching Experience

ECE 792
Special Topics in Power System Simulation and Software Engineering
S'26, S'25

Created a graduate course that takes students from simulation fundamentals to computational research and research-software practice

ECE 211
Circuit Analysis
F'26, F'25

Foundational undergraduate course in circuit analysis

ECEN 5113
Power System Analysis by Computer Methods
S'23, F'21

Advanced course covering numerical methods for power system analysis, including power flow, optimal power flow, and dynamic simulation. Emphasis on high-performance computing and modern software development practices.

ECEN 4153
Power System Analysis and Design
F'22, S'24

Fundamentals of power system analysis, including per-unit systems, power flow studies, economic operation, and symmetrical components. Introduction to power system stability and protection.

ECEN 4283
Computer Networks
S'22, F'23
ECE 421
Electric Energy Systems (co-instructor)
F'19
ECE 496/691
Power and Energy Systems Seminar
F'19, S'21

Mentoring

Current Students

Ph.D. Students

Ahmad Ali
Since 2022-01
Dissertation: High-Performance Computing for Power System Dynamic Simulation
Nabindra Shrestha
Since 2025-08
Youssef Abdelmoneim
Since 2026-08
Zhuorong Wang
Since 2025-08
Zilin Zhuang
Since 2025-08

Undergraduate Researchers

Mia Pham

Ph.D. Committee Service

Current

Zaid Ibn Mahmood
Oklahoma State University
Dissertation:
Siye Cen
NC State University
Dissertation:

Completed

Jinning Wang
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Dissertation:
Ratik Mittal
University of South Florida
Dissertation:

Past Students

Amit Poddar
Ph.D. Committee Member
NC State University
Haya Monawwar
Ph.D. Student
Oklahoma State University
Luis Correa Orellana
Undergraduate
NC State University
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Karter Caves
Undergraduate
Oklahoma State University
Freshman Research Scholar
Evelyn Wilson
Undergraduate
Oklahoma State University
Paul Magna
Undergraduate
Oklahoma State University

Presentations

Invited Talks

ANDES: Open-Source Modeling and Simulation for Power System Dynamics

Feb 2026
5th GridFM Workshop, Harvard University (Tutorial)

The ANDES Journey: Ten Years of Open-Source Innovation in Power Systems

Oct 2025
2025 INFORMS Annual Meeting, Atlanta (Presentation)

The Pursuit for a Generalized Simulation Framework for Power System Transients and Stability

Oct 2024
IEEE PES Young Professional Phoenix Chapter (Webinar)

Advancing Cyber-Physical Power Systems Research Using Modern Computer Technologies

Feb 2023
University of Georgia (Seminar)

Symbolics-Assisted Modeling for High-Performance Power System Simulation

Nov 2022
University of Houston (Webinar)

Composable, Expressive and Portable Modeling for High-Performance Power System Simulation

Oct 2022
Washington State University (Webinar)

Disturbance Propagation in Power Grids With High Converter Penetration

Jun 2022
CURENT Industry Members (Presentation)

Conference Presentations

Andes_gym: A Versatile Environment for Deep Reinforcement Learning in Power Systems

Jun 2022
2022 IEEE PESGM (Best Paper Presentation) - Denver

Presented a novel open-source environment for applying reinforcement learning to power system control problems, featuring integration with ANDES for high-fidelity power system simulation.

Application of Electric Grid Simulators for Education

Jul 2021
2021 IEEE PESGM (Panel Session Presentation) - Online

Discussed innovative approaches to using power system simulators in engineering education, focusing on hands-on learning and real-world applications.

HVDC Overlays in Testbeds

Aug 2019
2019 IEEE PESGM (Panel Session Presentation) - Atlanta

Outreach Activities

Co-Chaired Panel Session at 2022 IEEE PESGM: Combining physics-based and data-driven modeling and simulation for power systems

Aug 2022

Awards

IEEE PES Prize Paper Award

Jul 2026
IEEE Power and Energy Society

Gulf Research Program Early-Career Research Fellow, Offshore Energy Safety

Sep 2025
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

IEEE Open Access Journal of Power and Energy Best Paper Award

Jan 2025
IEEE Power and Energy Society

IEEE PES PSOPE Committee Prize Paper Award

Feb 2024
IEEE Power and Energy Society

National Science Foundation CAREER Award

Jan 2024
National Science Foundation

Best Conference Paper, 3rd Place

Oct 2023
North American Power Symposium (NAPS)

Best Conference Paper

Jul 2022
IEEE PES General Meeting

Outstanding Reviewer for 2020

Jan 2021
IEEE Transactions on Power Systems

R&D 100 Award for CURENT Large-Scale Testbed

Sep 2020
R&D Magazine

Outstanding Reviewer for 2019

Mar 2020
IEEE Transactions on Power Systems

Highly Cited Paper Award

Jul 2019
Applied Energy

Top Peer Reviewer (Top 1% in Engineering)

Sep 2018
Publons.com

ESI Highly Cited Papers

Mar 2018
Essential Science Indicators

Chancellor's Citation on Extraordinary Professional Promise

Apr 2017
University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Best Conference Paper

Jul 2016
IEEE PES General Meeting

Professional Services

Editorial Service

Associate Editor
2019-Present
Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy
Associate Editor
2020-Present
IET Energy Conversion and Economics
Guest Editor
2022
Frontiers in Energy Research

Special Issue: Advances in Distributed Energy Resources Aggregation for the Low Carbon Future

Guest Editor
2021
IET Generation, Transmission and Distribution

Society Service

Co-Chair
2024-2027
2027 North American Power Symposium, hosted at NC State
Chair
2025-Present
Computer and Analytical Methods Subcommittee (CAMS), IEEE Power and Energy Society
Vice Chair and TCPC
2023-2025
Computer and Analytical Methods Subcommittee (CAMS), IEEE Power and Energy Society
Secretary
2018-Present
Ultra-Wide-Area HVDC Overlay Studies Task Force, IEEE Power and Energy Society
Member
2022-Present
Power System Stability Control Subcommittee

Review Service

Proposal Review
2026
National Science Foundation

Reviewer for one panel

Proposal Review
2025
National Science Foundation

Reviewer for two panels

Proposal Review
2024
National Science Foundation

Reviewer for three panels

Proposal Review
2023
Department of Energy

Panel Reviewer for two panels

Department Service

Co-Chair
2026
Workshop on Energy Needs for AI Data Centers: convened industry, government, and campus disciplines (sponsored by M.C. Dean)
Member
2024-Present
Colloquium Committee

Certificates

IEEE Senior Member

Dec 2020
IEEE