Mike George is an electrical engineer in the vastly interconnected world of energy, with over a decade of applied experience in the utility industry. Expert in bulk power conversion, high-voltage (HV)AC and DC transmission, substation design, reactive power (VAR) comp., integrating distributed energy resources (DER), energy storage, electricity/utility markets, T&D asset management/maintenance, regulatory compliance, and failure diagnosis.

Mike’s expertise in the “green” energy space has explored the effects of power grid decentralization, namely the electrical impacts on the grid’s performance when responding to transient system events like faults, switching surges, and sudden loss of generation capacity. His graduate thesis focused on the coordination challenges of controlling hundreds of small generators scattered across a wide area, understanding the impacts to the grid and its dynamic behavior, as these renewable power sources take up an increasing share of the system’s load.

An experienced technical writer, Mike has produced and peer-reviewed a variety of research publications for industry groups like IEEE, CEATI, CIGRE, etc., as well as application guides, user manuals, engineering tutorials, and design specifications for various audiences, including corporate leaders, purchasing agents, field personnel, and the general public.

Mike has sought through his writing not only to advance the state of the art within the electric power industry, but to also make such knowledge more accessible, comprehensible, and relatable to general audiences, particularly those who possess an acute curiosity or interest in the grid but who might lack the credentials typical of an experienced engineer or utility worker.

Mike firmly believes it’s a vital responsibility for our industry to inform and remain engaged with the general public in the conversation regarding the future of our shared electric grid and its impacts.

Mike's passion for producing high-quality live events was first explored in his undergraduate studies at Wright State University (WSU). Serving in 2007 as President of WSU's University Activities Board, he oversaw operations of the university’s largest student programming organization, establishing several new traditions to improve the quality of life on campus, including a homecoming dance, multicultural nightclub event, and hosting nationally acclaimed performers for major concerts held in the university’s arena. These efforts were recognized in 2007 when Mike George was elected by the student body as WSU’s Homecoming King, representing the engineering faculty proudly for the first time in decades.

Mike founded Crimson Rouge Studios in Montréal, Québec in March 2018, to organize events that would connect friends and communities from various chapters of his life, who had dispersed around the Great Lakes. spanning the US and Canada. Inspired by QueerTech in Montréal, Mike saw a need for more focus among physical sciences and engineering domains, as a number of Queer affinity groups existed among creative design and informational technologies, but not among physical sciences and engineering faculties.

The coronavirus pandemic of 2020 broke open many of the existing cracks among the nation’s social safety nets, exposing a homelessness crisis along the West Coast and eventually throughout the rest of the country. Crimson House was formed to help combat this troubling trend by providing housing and support to Queer individuals suffering from homelessness, poverty, and abuse. In addition, Fierte Productions was formed to produce events that could facilitate virtual events and interactive moments to help our community cope with social isolation despite the bar lockdowns during that time.

It is Mike George’s mission to leverage the capabilities, efficiencies, and reliability of the electric power system, to jump-start and develop in tandem modern public transport solutions in North America that are safe, practical, reliable, and accessible to all Americans.

21st Century America should be responsible for granting Americans (regardless of their ability or desire to own a car) the means to get from their home to their destination, whether it be for work, school, shopping, entertainment, visiting family, traveling, etc. There are innumerable socioeconomic and environmental benefits that could be achieved from broadly accessible, interconnected transport systems in sustaining healthy, vibrant, and energy efficient urban communities.

To achieve this requires not only engineering advancements among the silos that characterize the utility industry, but also a focused commitment that delves into sustainable corporate governance, political advocacy, and educational investments to overcome the daunting impediments to large-scale infrastructure development in America.

Most of today’s energy challenges are not technical per se but rather cultural and political, and Mike has committed to this mission by rejecting through direct action the stubborn and unsustainable culture that necessitates personal automobile ownership in the United States.