Akanksha Bhat

Akanksha Bhat is a Senior Global Product Manager at GE Vernova’s Grid Automation business, where she leads the strategy for Advanced Automation Solutions that support grid modernization and the energy transition. Her work supports utilities and critical industries in integrating DERs, improving grid reliability, and deploying next-generation automation solutions that enable faster, smarter, and more resilient grid operations. Earlier in her career, Akanksha contributed to national clean energy initiatives at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), where she co-authored research on DER integration policy and IEEE 1547-based interconnection rule updates. During her time at Clean Power Research, she led the development of industry-first solutions that assess the impact of extreme weather events—such as wildfires and snowstorms—on solar PV production, enabling smarter investment and risk decisions across the solar value chain. Her academic research includes systems modeling and techno-economic analysis of net-zero energy homes. Akanksha has authored and presented on topics including extreme weather risk assessment, DER Integration, microgrids, and distribution automation. She holds an M.S. in Systems Engineering & Energy Policy from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a B.S. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from India.