Research & Industry Spotlight — Mississippi
This spotlight highlights Mississippi-based utilities, companies, universities, and projects advancing the power and energy industry. It is designed to connect professionals, students, and the public to organizations making an impact in our state.
Featured Industry Leaders
Entergy Mississippi
Delta Blues Advanced Power Station (Greenville): $1.2 billion, 754 MW combined-cycle natural gas/hydrogen-capable plant, expected online by 2028. It will replace aging generation and provide power for ~385,000 homes.
Renewable Expansion (EDGE Initiative): Commitment to 1,000 MW of renewables by 2027, including the 100 MW Sunflower County solar farm and long-term PPA solar projects in Madison County.
Economic Growth: Supported Amazon Web Services’ $10 billion Mississippi data center investment and enhanced grid reliability for industrial expansions like Milwaukee Tool in Grenada County.
Grid Modernization: AI-driven smart meter analytics, substation upgrades, and resilience investments to reduce outages and improve storm recovery.
Siemens Energy
Siemens Energy partnered with Entergy Mississippi to install the first clean-air high-voltage circuit breaker in the state — a breakthrough technology using nitrogen-oxygen mixtures instead of SF₆ gas. This innovation, manufactured in Richland, MS, lowers greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing grid reliability.
University Research Spotlight
Mississippi State University (MSU) — Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
MSU conducts research in power systems stability, renewable integration, and advanced protection schemes. Faculty and students are active in IEEE PES, with projects on microgrids, energy storage, and smart grid cybersecurity. MSU also partners with the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems (CAVS) on electric mobility and grid impacts.
University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) — Electrical Engineering
Ole Miss emphasizes energy systems education and research in power electronics, renewable integration, and semiconductor devices. Recent initiatives explore solar integration on distribution feeders and the role of advanced inverters in improving reliability.
Jackson State University (JSU) — Electrical Engineering
JSU supports workforce development in energy systems and collaborates with local utilities on applied research. Focus areas include grid protection, distribution systems, and preparing underrepresented students for careers in the power sector.
Utilities and Grid Organizations
- Mississippi Power — Serving southeast Mississippi with a diverse generation mix.
- Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi — Statewide co-op association supporting 26 member-owned utilities.
- TVA in Mississippi — Providing power to local municipal and cooperative utilities in northern and central MS.
Current Mississippi Projects
- Delta Blues Advanced Power Station: Entergy’s Greenville hydrogen-capable plant (under construction).
- Southern Spirit HVDC Transmission: Proposed interconnection in Mississippi, enabling 3 GW power transfers across regions.
- Ragsdale Solar Park (Madison County): 100 MW solar facility contracted to Amazon, feeding directly into Entergy’s grid.
Get Involved
To feature a Mississippi-based project, research program, or industrial partnership, please contact the IEEE PES Mississippi Chapter. Students, faculty, and industry professionals are encouraged to submit spotlights to keep this page current and locally focused.