Rao is the co-author of Modern Electricity Systems:

“The book provides an accessible overview of key engineering and economics topics that are an important foundation for someone advocating for sustainable market changes. The book’s attention to energy poverty highlights the crucial links between social justice, climate change, and energy security, and provides helpful framing for those thinking critically about policies to promote equitable access to cleaner energy.”

“I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the two chapters of your newly released Textbook “Modern Electricity Systems:” I wish I had access to such a fine introduction and deep dive into most of these complex issues when I first became a PUC Commissioner. Every Commissioner (and staff) should have this textbook to help them understand energy markets and the various agencies and organizations that regulate and impact those markets. I really like the international emphasis of the textbook. I also like the challenging exercises that you have provided for students. There is no better way to learn than to have students tackle some real-life situations. Bravo!!”

“This looks like a valuable contribution to today’s global conversation about energy. As a microgrid operator, we benefit from having the ability to dispatch power generation, energy storage, and demand assets in real-time. This requires understanding of our relationships with our thermal and electric customers, our local utility, and the regional ISO. The concepts addressed in this book should be studied by anyone in an energy leadership role including: utility regulators, policy makers, utility managers, power grid operators, energy project developers, through and including electrical power engineers and microgrid owner/operators. ”

“This book takes a timely look at the modern issues of electric systems. As a Development Officer at a large humanitarian organization, of note are the authors’ comments in chapter 10 on “Energy policy should include considerations of Energy Poverty.” Given that almost half the world’s population still lives in poverty on under $3 a day, the book is quick to identify that up to a quarter of the world’s population doesn’t have a reliable electric supply resulting in energy poverty. The book helps us to understand that weaving in an element of energy in design could ultimately help address the United Nation’s Sustainable Goals of providing affordable and clean energy around the world.”

“The authors have leveraged their combined 70 years of experience in the energy sector to develop a book that is unique among treatments of modern electric energy systems. It integrates engineering methods and concepts, financial requirements, business perspectives, policy drivers, and social implications to provide readers with a deep and broad understanding of the electric power industry in the US and around the world. The book appropriately concludes by defining energy poverty and describing the need for nations worldwide to direct policy formation towards addressing this complex subject. This book is a must-read for all energy sector engineers and policy makers. It is also an exceptionally useful book for university coursework at both the senior undergraduate and graduate levels. ”

“It is a unique book that holistically brings together the pressing issues in modern electricity systems. The authors begin with fundamentals of electrical engineering, economics, and tradeoffs made in real-life planning and operations. The subsequent chapters explain the role of people and institutions, energy poverty, the actual workings of power systems, wholesale, retail, and local energy markets, their relevance now, and their future direction. I especially liked the diversity of global examples in this book.

The contribution of Kathmandu University in Electricity system is also reflected in this book through the research and education engagement of the author at Kathmandu University. Their combined international, diverse experience is the secret sauce for making this book readable and timely. It is a must-read for engineers, policymakers, managers, and other professionals working in the electrical energy sector.”

“There has never been a greater need for serious energy policy makers and strategists to understand the principles of our electricity grid. We can’t transform our system by blagging our way through the details, but only by understanding the fundamentals concepts. This book explains those concepts clearly and understandably and has come just in time.”

“Rao is one of the most knowledgeable energy industry experts I’ve ever encountered in all my years covering the energy transition. Whenever I have a question about a new topic or when I’m doing research for a new article, he patiently explains complex engineering concepts in a way that is easy to understand. I have no doubt that this book will serve as a resource for anyone entering the energy industry for the first time and will probably help some seasoned experts, too.”

“Although, I cannot consider myself an expert in the energy market but I found the sent information is quite useful and eye opener.

Certainly, the information in its format and layout is an excellent resource for those seek the knowledge in the energy sector as well as learners. The work provides referenced historical prospective and several study cases that imbed intensive critical thinking and problem solving experience.”

“The concepts covered in this book provide a sound, broad grounding in the basic physics, engineering, economics and regulatory constructs as well as their interrelationships and should be studied by anyone especially those in an energy leadership role.

This introductory text should be required introductory reading to anyone new or interested in the electricity sector including: Prosumers, microgrid owner/operators, energy project developers, utility regulators, policy makers, utility managers, generators, network operators, and power engineers. ”