Issue: 87  |  May 2023

We hope you enjoy this issue of the PSC News and welcome any feedback you have.

The control room is at the heart of the energy transition

We’re happy to share that PSC CEO Alex Boyd’s article, “The control room is at the heart of the energy transition,” has been published by T&D World. In the article, Alex discusses the critical role of electricity control room software, systems and operators in managing the increasingly complex and evolving grid landscape.

Energy transition

O&G companies, clean energy and the role of the traditional utility

We’re pleased to share that an article by PSC’s CEO, Alex Boyd, has been published in Utility Dive. The article concerns traditional O&G companies entering the clean energy arena, and what that may mean for utilities and their energy transition outlook.

The role of BESS in future power systems – Part 2

In the second article of this 2-part series, PSC authors Djino Pirsic and Hesam Marzooghi – with additional collaboration from Mohammad Seidaliseifabad and Amir Mehrtash – focus on grid-forming inverters, looking at the various types, their limitations, and the services they can provide.

The future of Active Network Management in electrical networks 

PSC UK’s Mahmoud Elkazaz and Andrew Eviston unpack Active Network Management (ANM) as a tool for grid system operators to better integrate renewable energy sources, improve resiliency and increase reliability.

Smart grid renewable

Microgrid standardization 

Microgrids are projected to play a much bigger role in our energy future, but they also make our systems more complex. PSC’s North American General Manager of Operational Technologies, John Camilleri, thinks standardization is key to unlocking the value microgrids can offer all stakeholders.

Energy equity

Addressing energy inequity

Expanding access to the benefits of clean power is imperative to improve standards of living for all. PSC’s Dr. Anil Jampala shares his insights about achieving energy equity via intentional planning, policies and collaboration that advance the fair distribution of benefits throughout the energy system.

Solar panels on roof

Smart microgrid development challenges 

PSC’s Power Systems Studies Consultant Ahmed Sallam, Ph.D., offers his thoughts and insights on the challenges and barriers to smart microgrid development in the U.S.

Solar panels on roof

The complexity of renewables – Parts 4 & 5

In this series of short technical articles, we look at various topics that illustrate the complexity of renewables as a concept within the ongoing energy transition. Here are the next two articles in our series.

In Part 4, PSC’s Adam Maloyd looks at the implications of using fault ride through to mitigate the adverse effects of faults in the modern grid.

In Part 5, PSC’s Shahab Khan and Mahmoud Elkazaz discuss reactive power capability requirements in modern electrical grids.

Podcast microphones

Employee Spotlight: Josephine Chan

PSC’s employee spotlight segment looks at what our hardworking people are all about when they’re not serving our clients and each other at work. This spotlight is on PSC Australia Senior Talent Acquisition Partner Josephine (Jo) Chan who works from our office in Melbourne, Australia. It’s written by 16-year-old Melbourne high school student – and aspiring electromechanical engineer – Adam Robinson, whom we were privileged to have job shadowing at PSC recently.

 


 

PSC is a proud sponsor of Electra CIGRE’s digital magazine

 

 


 

 


 

Embracing innovating technologies to enhance people’s lives

Dr. Emin was one of four distinguished keynote speakers addressing the theme, “Embracing innovating technologies to enhance people’s lives.” Pictured here is PSC’s Dr. Zia Emin delivering his keynote address, “Technical Challenges and Solutions in Power Networks with the Net-Zero Initiatives,” at the 2023 IEEE Jordan International joint conference on Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (JEEIT CONFERENCE) on 23 May.

 


 

offshore wind

Reflecting on Wind Energy Ireland

The Wind Energy Ireland (WEI) Offshore Wind 2023 conference was held in Dublin on 16-17 May, one week after the results of Ireland’s first offshore wind auction. PSC’s Grant McCormick reflects on the event.

 


 

kids windmills running

Downstream 23

PSC’s Ray Young attended the Downstream Conference, held during the week of March 28 in New Zealand and he shares his thoughts in this blog post.

kids windmills running

ETS23

In celebration of the 10th annual Energy Thought Summit (ETS23), PSC was proud to sponsor this collaborative event. PSC’s Senior Global Marketing Manager, Gayle Wooster, offers her take on the event theme, “Keep Earth Weird” and her thoughts on keeping people at the center of our complex journey toward decarbonization.

 


 

Winter landscape electric pole snow

 


 

Winter landscape electric pole snow

PSC turns 28 this month!

We were curious, so we asked Microsoft’s Bing AI to write us a poem to celebrate this milestone. Here’s what we got!

“Twenty-eight years have come and gone, And still you stand so very strong.
You’ve weathered every storm and strife, And made it through each challenge of life.
You’ve grown and flourished year by year, And brought your vision ever near.
You’ve built a team that’s strong and true, And made your dreams come into view.
So here’s to you on this special day, As you celebrate in every way.
May your future be as bright as your past, And may your success forever last.”

 


 

hydrogen symbol

— PSC Asia Pacific —

Dipdyut Bhattacharyya 176x252

PSC welcomes Luke Pater to the APAC team as Manager of Telecommunications and Networking. Luke has a Master of Engineering degree in Telecommunications from the University of South Australia and a Bachelor of Engineering in Information Technology & Telecommunications from the University of Adelaide. Luke is based in our Adelaide, Australia, office.

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PSC welcomes Kioni Ndirangu to the APAC Power Networks team as a Power Systems Engineer. He completed his BE and ME in Electrical Engineering at the University of New South Wales, Australia. He brings real-time simulation experience and is based in our Sydney, Australia, office.

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PSC welcomes Tim Nath to the APAC team as a Power Network Solutions Engineer. Tim earned his Bachelor of Engineering (Sustainable Energy Systems) from Griffith University and a Business Management Certificate II from Bridge Business College. Tim brings his electrical consulting and engineering experience to our team and is based in our Brisbane, Australia office. 

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PSC welcomes Fern Garcia to the APAC team as Senior Project Operations Coordinator. Fern holds a Bachelor’s in Event Management from the Universidade Anhembi Morumbi and is an experienced project operations coordinator. Fern will be an integral part of the global Project Operations team based in our Brisbane, Australia office.

— PSC North America —

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PSC welcomes Iman Kaffashan to the Power Networks North America team as a Power System Studies Consultant. Iman holds a Master’s degree in electrical engineering from K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Iran and currently is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Manitoba in Canada. In addition to his research work, Iman has a passion for teaching and has worked as a sessional instructor at the University of Manitoba. Iman is based remotely in Canada.

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PSC welcomes Gabriel Vera to the Power Networks North America Team as a Power System Studies Consultant. Gabriel holds a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Waterloo, Canada. Gabriel has many interests, including Microgrid and Power Systems Planning, Renewable Energy Resources, Energy Storage Systems, Stochastic Programming, and Power Systems Modeling and Stability. Gabriel is based remotely in Canada. 

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PSC welcomes Jeffery Mayger as Sr. Director of Cyber Security Soluations in the North America Operational Technologies Group. Jeffery is a published author on matters of cybersecurity. In addition to his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Jeffery holds an MBA from the University of Texas as well as security designations: Certified Information Security Professional (CISSP), Certified SCADA Security Architect (CSSA), Payment Card Industry Professional (PCIP), and he is a Registered Practitioner of the U.S. Department of Defense Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program. Jeffery is based remotely in the US.

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PSC welcomes Jacque Valentine to the PSC People team as a Senior Talent Acquisition partner in North America. Jacque has a Master’s degree in Psychology and brings ten years of varied talent acquisition experience from directing career services in education to niche technology recruiting. Jacque is based in our Kirkland, Washington office.

— PSC Europe —

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PSC welcomes Amr Morsy as our Commercial Manager in Europe. Amr has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Power and Machines from Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt and more than ten years of experience in the energy industry. Amr is based in our Stafford, UK, office. 

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PSC welcomes Dr. Syahrul Nizam Md Saad to the PSC Europe team as a Strategic Advisory Senior Consultant. Syahrul has a Ph.D. in Energy Economics from The University of Edinburgh, an MSc in Electrical Engineering from the Universiti Tenaga Nasional, and over 17 years of experience in the electricity industry. Syahrul is based remotely in the UK. 

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PSC welcomes Abraham Alvarez Bustos to the Europe team as a Senior Strategic Advisory Consultant. Abraham holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and an MSC in Electrical Engineering. Abraham worked as a Power Systems Researcher at INVENIA LABS (Market participant) across all Energy Markets in the USA. During his Ph.D., he focused his research on modeling and developing advanced analysis tools for hybrid AC/DC Security Constrained Optimal Power Flows (SCOPF). He is based in our Newcastle, UK, office.

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PSC welcomes Rob Knott to the Europe Power Networks Solutions team as a Principal Consultant with 15 years of international experience in designing and analyzing HV earthing and lightning protection systems. Since 2018, Rob has been offering his support as a regular member for the CIGRE Working Group C.4.43, “Lightning problems and lightning risk management for nuclear power plants.” Rob is based remotely in the UK.

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PSC welcomes Andrzej Adamczyk to the Europe team as an HVDC Principal Consultant. Andrzej received a combined BSc and MSc in electrical engineering from Lublin University of Technology in Poland. He obtained an MSc. degree in Power Electronics and Drives from Aalborg University, followed by a Ph.D. degree in Power System Stability and Wind Power Plant Integration. Andrzej generated patent-protected IP and participated in several working groups with organizations such as CIGRE and IEC. Andrzej is based remotely in the UK.

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PSC welcomes Kahraman Yumak to the Europe team as a Power System Studies Consultant. ​​​​​​​Kahraman has over 14 years of experience in the electric power industry working with companies like EirGrid, Huwaei Solar, and AFRY. He holds a Ph.D. and BSc in electrical engineering from Istanbul Technical University, Turkey,​​​​​​​ and is based remotely in Ireland.