At Fluence Energy, I am actively engaged in the model-based development of Grid-Forming Inverter (GFM) Controls for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) using MATLAB Simulink. This work focuses on designing advanced control algorithms that enable inverter-based systems to replicate the dynamic behavior of synchronous machines—an essential feature for grid stability in high-renewable energy scenarios.
In addition to controller development, I am responsible for designing and simulating test scenarios using MATLAB Test Manager, with specific emphasis on the Australian National Electricity Market (NEM) requirements. These tests are aligned with relevant test cases outlined in the “Voluntary Specifications for Grid-Forming Inverters” and the DEMAT (Demonstration and Evaluation Methodology and Assessment Tool) document. This ensures our controls meet stringent performance benchmarks for grid-following to grid-forming transitions, fault ride-through, frequency and voltage support, and network synchronization under real-world operating conditions.
A core focus of my role includes defining real-time, deterministic communication protocols for fast control cycles—as low as 100 µs—across EtherCAT-based architectures. I’ve developed and validated test cases to assess communication reliability and latency in configurations involving 1 Gbps Beckhoff master controllers and 100 Mbps slave devices, ensuring signal integrity and synchronization for tight closed-loop control in high-speed power electronics applications.
These efforts collectively contribute to delivering robust, standards-aligned grid-forming control solutions, ensuring both compliance and operational excellence in the evolving landscape of modern power systems.
At GE Vernova, I worked on the system-level architecture of Grid-Forming Inverter (GFM) controls with a focus on offshore wind farms. My work involved addressing key challenges in deploying GFM inverters at the grid interface, including harmonic distortion analysis, impedance interactions, and fault ride-through behavior under weak grid conditions. I contributed to evaluating how GFM strategies perform under high-voltage transmission and offshore cabling environments, including their capability to sustain grid support during faults or instability.
Additionally, I was involved in the integration of Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) used to supply auxiliary systems—such as pitch and yaw mechanisms—in onshore wind turbines. This included analyzing the electromagnetic and harmonic impact of VFD operation on the grid-facing power converter, ensuring that auxiliary loads do not compromise overall power quality or controller stability.
My work contributed toward refining both converter-level and system-level modeling approaches, ensuring compatibility with utility standards and supporting future GFM deployment strategies in large-scale wind power systems.