Tim Zgonena has worked at UL Solutions since 1990, and in renewable energy resources, equipment and systems since 1996. Now serving as a principal engineer for Energy and Industrial Automation, Tim is a Distinguished Member of Technical Staff (DMTS) in the William Henry Merrill Society — a designation that recognizes staff members who make significant technical contributions to the safety missions of UL Research Institutes, UL Standards & Engagement and UL Solutions. He also earned an International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 1906 Award for exceptional contributions to the IEC’s work in developing global electrical safety standards.
Grid integration and resiliency
Tim and his team develop, maintain and apply certification requirements, as well as deliver testing and certification services that help manufacturers demonstrate product safety, grid code compliance and grid integration. Tested products include utility–grid interconnection system equipment, inverters and converters, grid interoperability equipment, electric vehicle (EV) alternating current (AC) vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, photovoltaic (PV) protection and balance-of-system (BOS) equipment, PV rapid shutdown equipment, PV hazard control equipment, wind turbines and wind turbine system components. Tim is a 2017 Mark of Excellence winner for the UL Solutions Advanced Inverter Testing and Certification program. The Mark of Excellence is an internal award at UL Solutions that recognizes achievements which exemplify the company’s Core Values and Key Results. The Advanced Inverter Testing and Certification program uses UL 1741, the Standard for Inverters, Converters, Controllers and Interconnection System Equipment for Use with Distributed Energy Resources, to test and certify inverters and other utility-interconnected distributed generation (DG) equipment for grid support functions, enabling a smarter, safer grid interconnection that helps maintain grid stability and reliability.
Standards development for grid technologies
Tim and his team work closely with national and international utilities and regulators to understand their needs and requirements concerning grid interconnectivity and safety for the power generation products that help support their electric grids. These ongoing relationships foster communication among stakeholders and help UL Solutions shape its testing, inspection and certification services. Tim led the development of UL 1741, a safety Standard for distributed generation that aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals 7, 9 and 13. He serves on multiple technical committees for distributed generation, including those of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), IEC and American Clean Power Association (ACP). He is also a member of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70®, National Electrical Code® (NEC®) Code-Making Panel 4. Tim’s team has helped develop more than 20 standards for renewable technologies.
“Green technologies must incorporate safety to be sustainable. UL Solutions partners with industry leaders, regulators and utilities to help us develop safety and reliability standards and services that keep pace with technology.” – Tim Zgonena
Panels and boards
- Member, IEEE 1547 and IEEE 1547.1; working group chair, P1547.1A Standard Conformance Test Procedures for Equipment Interconnecting Distributed Energy Resources with Electric Power Systems and Associated Interfaces Amendment 1, 2023
- Member, IEC Technical Committee 82; U.S. Representative for Working Groups 2, 3 and 6 for photovoltaics and system components
- Member, IEC Technical Committee 88; U.S. Representative MT1 for IEC 61400-1 Large Wind Turbines
- Principal Member, NFPA 70, NEC Code Making Panel No.
- Alternate member, NFPA 37 Code Making Panel
