Dr. Robin Podmore has a 50-year career in developing new applications and businesses for power system operations and control.  He was a founder in 1979 of ESCA, now GE Grid where he led business development.  He founded IncSys, in 1990.  He has focused on developing simulation tools and curricula for training power system operators.  He has developed and delivered training for power system trainers and operators throughout the world.  He is the founder of the Power4Vets program.  Since 2010 this program has recruited and assisted over 300 veterans with on-line simulation-based NERC Certification Training with a Virtual Instructor to advance their careers within the power industry.

Since 2009, Robin has been the Co-Founder of IEEE Smart Village.  IEEE Smart Village integrates sustainable electricity, education, and entrepreneurial solutions to help empower low-income communities.  Robin has helped IEEE Smart Village Entrepreneurs form and grow their village-based businesses in Cameroon, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, South Sudan, and India (Ladakh).

In 2020, Dr. Podmore founded and became President of the Rotary E Club of Silicon Valley Smart Village (SVSV).  Rotary SVSV works in partnership with IEEE Smart Village on applications of electricity, electric vehicles, internet, and ICT to support the seven Rotary focus areas including Economic and community development, Water and sanitation, Basic education and literacy, Disease prevention and treatment, Maternal and child health, Peace and conflict prevention/resolution and Environment.

Dr. Robin Podmore received his Bachelors’s and Doctorate degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand by working on potato and sheep farms.  He believes that Kiwi ingenuity and their success with exporting and premium branding of kiwi fruit, honey, wine, and milk can provide valuable lessons for Global South communities.