KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Valley Authority announced Tuesday that Ian Grant, a TVA Transmission & Power Supply engineer with almost 20 years of service, has earned the utility’s highest engineering honor — the Ike Zeringue Engineer of the Year award.

Grant’s work helps guard against massive power failures that could cost the nation billions of dollars in lost economic activity. He leads TVA’s research on electromagnetic pulse effects, including establishing a grid response model to severe geomagnetic disturbances such as solar storms and initiating a geomagnetically induced current blocker to meet Department of Energy requirements.

“TVA employees are the best in the nation, and each year, we have the distinct pleasure of recognizing an individual who exemplifies excellence in the engineering field and commitment to TVA’s mission of service,” said TVA President and CEO Jeff Lyash. “Ian’s leadership to protect the nation’s electric grid is a direct link to helping TVA deliver reliable, low-cost, clean energy — a key factor when companies choose to relocate or expand in our region.” 

Each day, Grant helps makes sure TVA’s transmission system operates at the highest levels of reliability – 99.999 percent power reliability since 2000 – while keeping TVA power rates among the lowest in the nation.

“Ian has distinguished himself as an industry leader whose research is being used to keep electricity flowing to our homes and businesses,” said Aaron Melda, TVA senior vice president, Transmission & Power Supply. “More important, his EMP work contributes directly to securing the United States’ bulk-power system from events that could significantly degrade critical infrastructure or disable large portions of the electrical grid.”

The award is TVA’s highest honor for an engineer and named for O.J. “Ike” Zeringue, a former TVA president, chief operating officer, and chief nuclear officer. 

Grant is also one of the top 10 finalists for the Federal Engineer of the Year Award, which will be presented Feb. 24 at a virtual event.

Grant is a graduate of the University of New Zealand and holds a Master of Engineering from the University of New South Wales. A highlight of Grant’s 50-year engineering career before he joined TVA was working on NASA’s Apollo 16 mission. 

The Tennessee Valley Authority is a corporate agency of the United States that provides electricity for business customers and local power companies serving nearly 10 million people in parts of seven southeastern states. TVA receives no taxpayer funding, deriving virtually all of its revenues from sales of electricity. In addition to operating and investing its revenues in its electric system, TVA provides flood control, navigation and land management for the Tennessee River system and assists local power companies and state and local governments with economic development and job creation.