Issue: 91 | May 2024

Our quarterly newsletter showcases insights and expertise from our team of global energy specialists, curated explicitly for professionals within the electric energy sector.

In this issue, you’ll find engaging articles covering PSC’s contribution to the success of the AEMO WEM Reform program, a recent field trip to AEMO, the management of the UK’s Grid Code compliance, Ireland’s Grid Code regulations, and our collaborative efforts with system integration partners. Plus, get to know our newest team members and much more.

If you have valuable insights to share and would like to contribute an article to our platform and the PSC News, we invite you to reach out to Matt Robinson our Head of Global Strategic Service Development at PSC Group.


 

AEMO Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM) Reform

PSC is grateful for the acknowledgment from Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) for our team’s dedication and contribution to the success of the WEM Reform program, it was a thrill for our team to work on this market-shaping project.

It’s moments like these that inspire us to keep pushing boundaries and delivering excellence, in collaboration with exceptional industry partners.


 

Optimal placement of reactive power compensation

Every power system needs some form of reactive power support to maintain system reliability and to counter disturbances that may lead to a drop in voltage. Voltage stability is a key limitation to the enhanced integration of renewable energy sources into the electricity grid. In this article, PSC’s Devansh Gautam explores key factors that should be considered.


 

PSC joins Young Energy Professionals (YEP) hosted field trip to AEMO

The team from PSC had the opportunity to engage in a control room tour and partake in interactive sessions with essential stakeholders at the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). This visit took place in April 2024 and was facilitated by the Young Energy Professionals (YEP) Sydney chapter of the Australian Institute of Energy (AIE).


 

renewables

Navigating UK’s grid code compliance management

To ensure the UK’s national electricity grid’s safety, security, and efficient operation, the UK Grid Code provides a comprehensive framework of technical standards. In this blog post, PSC UK’s Mahmoud Elkazaz and Kevin Smethurst explore the importance of grid code compliance, the key aspects of the UK grid code, the role of Ofgem, and how technology can assist in managing these challenges.


 

renewables

Working with a premier system integration partner – Part 2

In Part 1 of this article series, John Camilleri covered the basics of working with a premier system integration partner. Here, in Part 2 of this series, he introduces the four foundational pillars of PSC’s Operational Technologies service offerings.


 

renewables

Energising Ireland: A Guide to Grid Code Compliance

This white paper by PSC’s Kahraman Yumak delves into the critical role of adhering to Ireland’s Grid Code, detailing the testing protocols that protect the power system’s integrity and contribute to a more robust and efficient grid. These measures are instrumental in advancing renewable energy development and reliable electricity services in the region.


 

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

 


 


 

PSC’s Matt Robinson hosts panel at Power+Utilities Australia

During the Power+Utilities Australia Conference held on May 8, 2024, PSC’s Matt Robinson skillfully led a panel discussion on “Evolving the regulatory landscape and market structures with the pace of transition.” His valuable insights added depth to the conversation.


 

Happy 29th birthday to PSC!

As we reflect on Wednesday, 22 May 2024, we are filled with gratitude for the 29 years of strength, growth, and success that have defined PSC. We owe a huge debt of thanks to everyone who has played a part in this incredible journey. Together, we have overcome challenges, embraced opportunities, and forged a path towards a brighter future. Let’s raise a toast to our bright past and the even brighter future that lies ahead for PSC. Cheers to many more years of success and achievement!


 


 

Margaret Archer reaches 20 years of excellent service!

We are thrilled to celebrate Margaret Archer’s remarkable achievement of 20 years of dedicated service at PSC!

Margaret works for PSC New Zealand. Her commitment, hard work, and passion have truly set the standard for excellence within our team. Here’s to two decades filled with countless achievements, unforgettable moments, and continued triumphs at PSC!


 

hydrogen symbol

Introducing our exceptional wave of new additions who joined us during the months of March, April and May.

— PSC Asia Pacific —

Dipdyut Bhattacharyya 176x252

PSC welcomes Varun Kumar G to the Operational Technologies team as an EMS/SCADA Consultant in the APAC region. Varun is an Electrical Engineer with an operations and maintenance background in utility and industrial installations, and quality assurance. Varun currently holds a Postgraduate Diploma in T&D from the National Power Training Institute, Bangalore, and a B.E in Electrical & Electronics—PCET, Coimbatore, from Anna University Chennai. Varun is based in our Brisbane, Australia office. 

Natasha Froloff 176x252

PSC welcomes Dominic Joey Moncada Jr. to our APAC Power Networks team as a Power Systems Engineer. Dominic has extensive experience as an engineer in the energy sector. He specializes in power system studies and design, HV equipment testing and commissioning, and HV switching, and has many years of diverse project management. Dominic’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of San Carlos. Dominic is based in our Melbourne, Australia office.

Dipdyut Bhattacharyya 176x252

PSC welcomes Praneel Pradhan to our growing APAC Power Networks team as our new Manager of Power System Studies. Praneel brings us deep industry experience in integrating large-scale solar and wind farms into the electricity network, accompanied by a strong background in power system modeling and NER knowledge. Praneel is based in the Melbourne, Australia office. 

Natasha Froloff 176x252

PSC welcomes Amit Chawla to PSC as our Global Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality Manager. Amit brings over 20 years of extensive industry experience, including leading complex projects and administering environmental, health, and safety compliance audits. He has a proven history of improving operational processes, procedures, and standards within organizations. Amit possesses vast knowledge in documentation and auditing across multiple ISO standards including – ISO 9001, ISO 45001 and ISO 14001. Amit is based in our Johnsonville, Wellington, NZ office.

Dipdyut Bhattacharyya 176x252

PSC welcomes Deshan Chetty to our APAC Operational Technologies team as a Senior Control Systems Consultant. Originally from Durban, South Africa, Deshan brings over 16 years of experience as a Senior SCADA engineer on the utility side. His expertise includes digital substations, network security, ADMS, IoT, project management, and leading SCADA teams. Now based in Sydney, Deshan is eager to start this new chapter with his family in Australia and connect with PSC and our clients. 

— PSC North America —

Dan Dilbeck 176x252

PSC welcomes Mohamed Awadalla to the North America Power Networks team as a Power Systems Consultant. Mohamed brings vast educational knowledge through diverse global studies, accompanied by years of applied energy industry experience as a Power Systems Engineer. Most recently, Mohamed obtained a Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from McGill University Montreal, QC, Canada. Before completing a Ph.D. Mohamed earned a Master of Science in Electrical Power System Engineering from The University of Manchester, UK and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical power Engineering from the University of Khartoum, Sudan. Mohamed is based remotely in Canada.

Kester Oyibo 176x252

PSC welcomes Susan Israel to the PSC Group as our Global Communications Manager. Susan comes to us with an extensive background in organizational communication. Susan’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Scientific and Technical Communications from Michigan Technological University and a Master’s degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri. Susan is based in our global headquarters located in Kirkland, WA (greater Seattle area), playing a key role in the expansion of PSC’s corporate communications and structure.

Dan Dilbeck 176x252

PSC welcomes Shahabodin Afrasiabi as the newest addition to our North America team, bringing his expertise as a Power Systems Consultant. Shahabodin excels in power system dynamic analysis, machine learning, fault diagnosis, energy management, electric machine design, state estimation, time series forecasting, and power system probabilistic analysis. Currently pursuing his Ph.D. at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada, Shahabodin also holds a MSc. in Power Electrical Engineering from Shahid Chamran University, Iran, and a Bachelor’s degree in Power Electrical Engineering from Semnan University, Iran. Shahabodin is based remotely in Canada. 

Dan Dilbeck 176x252

PSC welcomes Alethea Asaam to PSC as our new Global Corporate Controller! With 15 years of experience in global accounting, Alethea previously served as a Corporate Controller for 3 years after spending eleven years in public accounting. Originally from Ghana, she kickstarted her career at PwC in West Africa before making her way to California. Alethea is located at our Kirkland, Seattle office.

Dan Dilbeck 176x252

PSC welcomes Hani Gharavi to the North America Power Networks team in the role of Senior Power Systems Consultant. Hani brings to PSC specialist experience in advanced power system dynamics, network analysis and simulation, conventional and inverter-based generation models, interconnection studies. He earned his PhD in Electrical Power Engineering from Queen’s University Belfast, United Kingdom. Hani is based remotely in the USA. 

— PSC Europe —

Dan Dilbeck 176x252

PSC is pleased to welcome Kah-Leong (Leong) Koo to the UK team. Leong joins us as our Technical Director for Power System Studies, bringing with him over 20 years of extensive experience in the utility industry, energy sector, and research and development fields. As a seasoned chartered engineer, Leong has been a key player in numerous power system projects throughout his career. His specialized expertise in power quality and transient analysis adds a valuable layer of domain knowledge to our team. Leong is based remotely in the UK.