About

Karen Butler-Purry is a Professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at Texas A&M University. She holds the Raytheon Company Professorship and is affiliated with the College of Engineering. Her educational background includes a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Southern University at Baton Rouge, an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin, and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Howard University. Her research interests focus on the application of computer and intelligent systems to power distribution, including distribution automation and management, fault diagnosis, estimation of remaining life of transformers, intelligent reconfiguration, and system modeling and simulation for hybrid vehicles. She has contributed to the field through various publications on topics such as service restoration in microgrids, real-time electric load management for ship power systems, and security in smart grids. Dr. Butler-Purry is actively involved in research that advances the understanding and development of intelligent systems for electrical power systems.

Research topics

• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Electrical engineering
• Multimedia
• Reliability engineering
• Mathematical optimization
• Mathematics
• Pedagogy
• Human–computer interaction
• Control engineering

Selected publications

• Studying a Sequential Black Start Restoration Method Using PMD and ONM

  2026-02-09

  article

  Black Start Restoration (BSR) in distribution systems requires coordinating distributed generators, microgrids, and switching operations to safely reenergize the network. This work applies a sequential BSR formulation using the PowerModelsDistribution (PMD) and PowerModelsONM (ONM) frameworks, enabling detailed modeling of device connectivity, load behavior, and operational limits. The approach is demonstrated on a modified IEEE 123-node feeder, where multi-step optimization identifies feasible restoration actions and maximizes recovered load. The results show that open-source tools can effectively evaluate restoration strategies and support systematic planning for distribution-level BSR.

  PublisherDOI

• Cyber Security of a Smart Power Distribution System - Cyber Subsystem Use Case

  2025-01-21 · 3 citations

  articleSenior author

  Power distribution systems and communication networks are inter-dependent. Remote data collection and control of distributed energy resources (DERs), such as windmills and solar panels, employ not only remote terminal units (RTUs) but also Aggregators and Distributed Service Operators (DSOs). Aggregators are devices that communicate with a group of DERs and the DSO, which manages all DERs. These devices are located in different places and exchange data through a wide area network, i.e., the cyber sub-system. To help us understand this cyber sub-system and the impact of a cyber attack on a smart power distribution system, this paper presents a cybersecurity threat and detection use case implemented on a cyber-physical testbed. The power distribution system is simulated using Real Time Digital Simulator (RTDS) power simulator, while the communication network is emulated using Common Open Research Emulator (CORE). The use case simulates a peak shaving application, in which the DSO communicates with the Aggregator to find the capacity of four DERs to generate more power. During this process, an intruder performs a reconnaissance attack followed by a denial-of-service attack (DoS).

  PublisherDOI

• Studying Power Loss Minimization in Active Distribution Systems Using PMD

  2025-02-10 · 1 citations

  article

  This study investigates the minimization of power losses in active distribution systems through the integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) into a modified 20-node section of the IEEE 123-node test feeder. Using the Distribution Optimal Power Flow (D-OPF) framework, implemented in Julia using the PowerModelsDistribution (PMD) package and the IPOPT solver, the analysis incorporates 5 photovoltaic distributed generators (DGs), spanning both single-phase and three-phase systems. The framework optimizes active and reac-tive power flows while ensuring voltage stability. Comparative results demonstrated that the proposed framework effectively reduces power losses, balances PV generation, and maintains voltage profiles within permissible limits. The approach was validated through a strong alignment with results from a previous study, with minor deviations attributed to differences in tool methodologies. This study underscores the potential of advanced optimization frameworks to enhance the efficiency and per-formance of power distribution networks, paving the way for the future integration of larger-scale DERs and more complex systems.

  PublisherDOI

• Dual-Head Physics-Informed Graph Decision Transformer for Distribution System Restoration

  ArXiv.org · 2025-08-08

  preprintOpen accessSenior author

  Driven by recent advances in sensing and computing, deep reinforcement learning (DRL) technologies have shown great potential for addressing distribution system restoration (DSR) under uncertainty. However, their data-intensive nature and reliance on the Markov Decision Process (MDP) assumption limit their ability to handle scenarios that require long-term temporal dependencies or few-shot and zero-shot decision making. Emerging Decision Transformers (DTs), which leverage causal transformers for sequence modeling in DRL tasks, offer a promising alternative. However, their reliance on return-to-go (RTG) cloning and limited generalization capacity restricts their effectiveness in dynamic power system environments. To address these challenges, we introduce an innovative Dual-Head Physics-informed Graph Decision Transformer (DH-PGDT) that integrates physical modeling, structural reasoning, and subgoal-based guidance to enable scalable and robust DSR even in zero-shot or few-shot scenarios. DH-PGDT features a dual-head physics-informed causal transformer architecture comprising Guidance Head, which generates subgoal representations, and Action Head, which uses these subgoals to generate actions independently of RTG. It also incorporates an operational constraint-aware graph reasoning module that encodes power system topology and operational constraints to generate a confidence-weighted action vector for refining DT trajectories. This design effectively improves generalization and enables robust adaptation to unseen scenarios. While this work focuses on DSR, the underlying computing model of the proposed PGDT is broadly applicable to sequential decision making across various power system operations and other complex engineering domains.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Cyber Security Use Case on a Smart Power Distribution System - Physical Subsystem

  2025-01-21 · 2 citations

  article

  A Cyber-physical system (CPS) was simulated for peak shaving application to investigate vulnerabilities and re-silience of a power distribution system. The power system was implemented in the Real Time Digital Simulator (RTDS), including a remote terminal unit (RTU), a distribution transformer, and four Distributed Energy Resources (DERs). The communication system was implemented in Common Open Research Emulator (CORE). The cyber-attacks, Denial of Service (DoS) and Man-in-the-Middle (MITM), were simulated by attacking the communication between the Aggregator and DERs. Comparative analysis between normal system operation and post-attack operation revealed significant impacts. Cyber-physical system simulation provides valuable insights for researchers in developing detection and mitigation methods.

  PublisherDOI

• A Realistic Cyber-Physical Power System Testbed and Use Case of an AMI Mesh Network

  2025-10-26

  articleSenior author

  Power distribution systems and communication networks are inter-dependent. Remote data collection and control of distributed energy resources (DERs), such as windmills, solar panels and battery energy storage systems, employ Smart Meters, Repeaters, Collectors, and Distribution System Operators (DSOs). These devices exchange data through an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) network. To study this communication network and the impact of a cyber attack on the distribution system, this paper presents two attack scenarios on a cyber-physical power system testbed that uses the Real Time Digital Simulator (RTDS) and Common Open Research Emulator (CORE). Using realistic load and generation data from SMART-DS synthetic dataset, an Adversary performs a denial-of-service attack (DoS) on the Collector in the first scenario. In the second scenario, the Adversary performs a Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attack in the network that connects the Collector to the utility’s DSO. The results show how these attacks impact the integrity of the load values the energy utility receives.

  PublisherDOI

• What's in a Name? Office of Graduate Education Versus Graduate School

  2025-06-28

  book-chapterSenior author

  Abstract This chapter provided case studies outlining the pathways taken by two universities, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and Texas A&M University (TAMU), to transition their graduate administrative structure from a graduate office to a graduate school . The case studies outlined the process, associated challenges, the response from the university, and the outcomes. RIT and TAMU have well-known graduate programs. While TAMU has a much longer history of awarding graduate degrees, beginning in 1888, RIT is relatively newer to offering graduate programs, starting in 1960. Further, TAMU has a much larger enrollment, with 71,000 students of which approximately 15,000 are pursuing graduate degrees. RIT has an enrollment of 20,000 students with 3,000 pursuing graduate degrees. Regardless of the size of their graduate enrollments, both institutions had a vision for establishing or re-establishing a formal graduate school for both universities. Further, though the rationales, pathways, processes, and timelines differed, the ultimate goal was the same. Institutions that desire to transition from a graduate office to a graduate school should understand the difference between a graduate education or studies office and a graduate school. Moreover, it is important to determine any benefits that may be garnered by the institution. More important is the university's support for a formal graduate school to help further their mission of advancing graduate education. The processes used by these two universities were customized appropriately for their respective environments.

  PublisherDOI

• Large Distribution System Studies with High Penetration Levels of PVs for Protection Applications

  2025-10-26

  articleSenior author

  When the IEEE 1547-2003 standard was introduced, it was generally regarded as a low DG penetration standard due to the limited experiences with distributed generation at the time. To reflect the growing need to address higher penetration levels, IEEE 1547-2018 expanded to 136 pages, compared to the 16 pages of IEEE 1547-2003. In this paper, the results of time-series studies utilizing a large synthetic feeder from NREL’s SMARTDS project, including secondary distribution level load models and distributed low and medium voltage PV models, were discussed. Time-series studies were performed using CYME power system analysis on the 2018 data, resulting in 17,520 operating points. Critical Time Points (CTPs) were obtained by analyzing the time series results and identifying time points represnting the extremes of the system operation. Using the CTPs some PV impacts were discussed from a protection point of view to address the limitations of protecting the feeder. The results of these studies will help identify the most efficient and suitable protection schemes or protective devices to apply to the feeder network.

  PublisherDOI

• Case Study: International Summer Research Programming Experiences Sponsored by TAMUS LSAMP

  2024-02-07

  articleOpen access

  Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) supported two forms

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Designing International Research Experiences to Engage Underrepresented Minority Undergraduates and Introduce Them to Graduate School

  2024-02-06 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Since 1991, the Texas A&M University System Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (TAMUS LSAMP) Program has supported underrepresented minority (URM) college students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Throughout the 30 years of TAMUS LSAMP's existence, undergraduate research experiences have been a major programming focus. For the last 14 years, TAMUS LSAMP has sponsored study abroad experiences for its student participants. In 2015, emphasis was placed on students conducting international research instead of just taking courses abroad. Two programs: the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Engineering Learning Community Introduction to Research (ELCIR) program, with a component in Mexico, and the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMUCC) Belize: Ridges to Reefs program provide TAMUS LSAMP-sponsored students with faculty-led, hands-on international research experiences. Both programs equip participants with pre-travel classes and training and two-week international excursions and engagement. This paper explores the design and curriculum for the ELCIR and Belize: Ridges to Reefs programs. Program evaluation results including student participants' expectations and outcomes from their international experiences are presented as evidence of efficacy. The impact international research experiences had on students' awareness of and interest in graduate school is also provided. Similar programs can be reproduced to engage URM and first-generation college students at other colleges or universities.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Recent grants

• Louis Stokes STEM Pathways and Research Alliance: Texas A&M System LSAMP-RA

  NSF · $4.0M · 2019–2026

• AGEP-T: Collaborative Research: Advancing Interdisciplinary STEM Graduate Education in Energy and Sustainability Disciplines

  NSF · $703k · 2013–2019

• Transforming Undergraduate Learning in Digital Systems in Texas (TX DS)

  NSF · $700k · 2012–2019

• A Cyber Security Impact Analysis Framework for the Electric Smart Grid

  NSF · $457k · 2010–2015

• LSAMP BTD: Texas A&M University System Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (TAMUS LSAMP) Bridge to the Doctorate Cohort XIII (2018-2020) Program

  NSF · $1.1M · 2018–2020

Frequent coauthors

• Deepa Kundur

  24 shared

• Shannon Walton

  Texas A&M University

  24 shared

• Robin L. Autenrieth

  Texas A&M University

  22 shared

• Takis Zourntos

  21 shared

• Samuel Merriweather

  Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi

  18 shared

• Bo Chen

  Quzhou University

  16 shared

• Sanjeev Srivastava

  15 shared

• Xianyong Feng

  Beijing Jiaotong University

  12 shared

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy , Electrical Engineering

  Howard University

  1994

• Master of Science , Electrical Engineering

  University of Texas at Austin

  1987

• Bachelor of Science , Electrical Engineering

  Southern University

  1985