Dr. Alexandra “Sascha” von Meier is a professor in the Department of Environmental Studies and Planning at Sonoma State University (www.sonoma.edu/ensp), where she directs the Energy Management & Design program and teaches courses on energy technology and society, thermal and electrical energy management, small-scale energy sources, passive solar design, and quantitative methods. Her research has addressed engineering and cultural dimensions of energy technology, including electric power distribution, grid-connected photovoltaics, electric demand response, nuclear power plant operation, nuclear materials management, and green building performance. At the California Institute for Energy and Environment (http://uc-ciee.org), she is currently studying technical and operational issues related to the integration of high levels of renewable resources in “smart grids.” Her textbook, Electric Power Systems: A Conceptual Introduction (Wiley-IEEE, 2006), has been used in university courses and industry to help explain the complexities of operating the electric grid, and she regularly presents tutorials on electric power delivery to academic and professional audiences. Sascha received her Ph.D. in energy and resources (1995) and her B.A. in physics (1986) from the University of California, Berkeley. Away from the office, she enjoys cycling, rock climbing and the mountains whenever possible.