The multi-million pound Power Networks Demonstration Centre (PNDC) has moved a step closer to completion following the appointment of Dr Iliana Portugues as Operations Director.

Dr Portugues attended a ‘topping out’ ceremony at the Cumbernauld site of the £12.5 million centre that will accelerate the adoption of new, ‘smart’ technologies, from advanced power grids to electric cars and intelligent household appliances.


A leading figure in the energy industry, Dr Portugues previously worked as a senior project manager at the Electric Power Research Institute in California. She also founded a University spin-out company, Elimpus – which provides products and services for monitoring electricity sub-stations using radio frequency measurements.

(GK)