I work on applying algorithms for solving real-world problems, especially in Power & Energy field. The research topics include dynamic systems modeling and controls, power system operations and optimizations, deep learning for computer visions, time-series forecasting, and LLMs, reinforcement learning, etc.
Georgia Institute of Technology, GA
M.S. in Computer Science (Specialization in machine learning), January 2024 - Now
University of Texas at Arlington, TX
PH.D. in Electrical Engineering, August 2016 - May 2021
Advisor: Prof. Wei-Jen Lee
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China
M.E. in Electrical Engineering, September 2013 - June 2016
Advisor: Prof. Chengxiong Mao, Prof. Jiming Lu
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China
B.E. in Electrical Engineering, September 2009 - June 2013
The 2022 best paper award, Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy (2024)
The 2020 best paper award, Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy (2021)
“K. R. Rao electrical engineering graduate fellowship” Scholarship, University of Texas at Arlington (2021)
“Mo-Shing Chen” Scholarship, University of Texas at Arlington (2020)
IEEE/IAS Electrical Safety Prevention through Design Student Engineering Education Initiative (2020)
IEEE/IAS Electrical Safety Workshop Best Focus Session Paper Award, IEEE (2018)
Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award, University of Texas at Arlington (2018)
Outstanding Graduate, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (2013)
Outstanding Undergraduate Student, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (2011 & 2012)
ETAP/Operation Technology, Inc. (owned by Schneider Electric), Irvine, CA
Senior Power Systems/Software Engineer (1/2022 – Now)
Power Systems/Software Engineer (7/2021 – 12/2021)
Developed of dynamic modeling and feedback control modules in C#, C++, Python, and SQLite for inverter-based resource (IBR) including wind generators, PV inverters, battery energy storage systems, fuel cell systems, STATCOM, etc. in ETAP transient stability platform, supporting grid-following, grid-forming, frequency control, fault ride-through capabilities, and microgrid operational scenarios.
Developed a C, C++, and C# wrapper interface for Functional Mock-up Unit (FMU) files and black-boxed vendor DLL models based on standard IEC 61970-457, enabling seamless integration of external dynamic models (e.g., Matlab Simulink controller models) into ETAP's control modules. The developed wrapper interface is used by customers like Vestas.
Develop report generation function via Python with oepnpyxl that can automatically show the descriptions and plots for the results of the Grid Code Study module for renewable power plants in ETAP.
Performed code inspection, unit testing, and model-based testing to ensure robust performance and reliability in dynamic simulation and real-time analysis environments.
Provided consulting solutions for wind, solar, and microgrid projects in collaboration with clients and DOE project partners (e.g., PG&E, Duke Energy).
Developed the example microgrid controller with active power control function at POI released in ETAP 21.0 in 2021.
Global Energy Interconnection Research Institute North America (GEIRINA), San Jose, CA
Summer Research Intern - AI & Systems Analytics (5/2021 – 8/2019)
Autonomous control for optimal real-time power grid’s generation resource dispatch
Built simulation environment for power grid transmission systems using PyPower + OpenAI Gym in Python to train and evaluate reinforcement learning agents for real-time optimal generation resources dispatching tasks.
Applied imitation learning and PPO (Proximal Policy Optimization) from reinforcement learning using TensorFlow to solve non-convex AC optimal power flow problem, which minimizes operational costs under various operational constraints.
Recognized with Best Paper Award in a peer-reviewed SCI-indexed journal.
PH. D. Projects, University of Texas at Arlington, 2016-2021
Machine learning application
1. Deep reinforcement learning based methods to solve the AC optimal power flow using Python, TensorFlow, etc.: (1) Applied deep reinforcement learning with CNN + Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) using TensorFlow to solve real-time, non-convex AC OPF under renewable generation and topology uncertainty. (2) Achieved a 10x speedup compared to classical interior-point solvers with minimal optimality gap, enabling scalable grid operation aligned with sustainability goals. (3) Created a CNN-based classifier to identify the feasible/infeasible grid operation conditions. (4) Recognized with Best Paper Award in a peer-reviewed SCI-indexed journal.
2. Dynamic equivalent modeling for large-scale wind farms using Matlab and Simulink: Developed the robust and accurate dynamic equivalent model for wind farms using unsupervised clustering and heuristic optimization.
3. Arcing fault detection using Matlab and Python: Applied the neural network-based classifier for high-speed arcing fault detection using light spectral data, which was collected via experiments in the lab.
Optimization
1. Implemented the AC optimal power flow algorithm based on semi-definite programming for hybrid AC and DC power grids. The optimization was based on CVX and YALMIP in Matlab using the Mosek solver.
Data acquisition and monitoring system design
1. Participated the design of the real-time monitoring system for the petrochemical power plant substation and wind generators using NI-Labview and FPGA.
M. S. Projects, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 2013-2016
Power systems modeling
1. Proposed a novel feedback control scheme based on PI controllers in MATLAB/Simulink for current source converter based excitation systems. .
2. Applied the d-q decoupled feedback control algorithm for industrial prototype in voltage source converter based excitation system in embedded DSP 28335. Performed the dynamic experiment and field tests.
Reviewer (Web of Science Core Collection)
Being an active reviewer for IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy, IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion, IET Generation, Transmission & Distribution, Electric Power System Research, International Journal of Electrical Power and Energy Systems, IEEE Open Access Journal of Power and Energy, CSEE Journal of Power and Energy Systems, Journal of Wind Engineering & Industrial Aerodynamics, IEEE PES conferences, IEEE CDC, etc.
Chair - IEEE industry applications society University of Texas-Arlington student chapter (2020-2021)
IEEE Member
Introduction to power systems simulation-overview
Date: Nov. 2022
Sponsor: IEEE Black Hills IAS/PES Chapter
Location: Virtual/South Dakota School of Mines and Tech, Rapid City, South Dakota
EE 3302 - Fundamentals of power systems, teaching assistant, University of Texas at Arlington, TX
EE 3310 - Advanced microcontroller, teaching assistant, University of Texas at Arlington, TX
EE 5308 - Power systems modeling and analysis, teaching assistant, University of Texas at Arlington, TX
EE 5374 - Power System Protective Relaying, teaching assistant, University of Texas at Arlington, TX
EE 5377 - Programmable logic controllers (PLC), teaching assistant, University of Texas at Arlington, TX
EE 5378 - Power quality, teaching assistant, University of Texas at Arlington, TX
CS 6476 - Computer Vision, Georgia Institute of Technology
CS 7643 - Deep Learning, Georgia Institute of Technology
CS 6200 - Graduate Introduction to Operating Systems, Georgia Institute of Technology
CS 7641 - Machine Learning, Georgia Institute of Technology
CSE 6220 - Intro to High-Performance Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology
CS 7650 - Natural Language Processing, Georgia Institute of Technology
CS 7280 - Network Science, Georgia Institute of Technology
CS 7642 - Reinforcement Learning and Decision Making, Georgia Institute of Technology
CS 6300 - Software Development Process, Georgia Institute of Technology
CS 8001, DSA - Data Structures and Algorithms , Georgia Institute of Technology
CS 8001, OFL - Federated Learning & ML Ops, Georgia Institute of Technology
CS 8001, OOP - Object-oriented Programming in Java, Georgia Institute of Technology
EE 5307 - Linear Control Systems, University of Texas at Arlington
EE 5373 - Unbundling Services of a Deregulated Power System, University of Texas at Arlington
EE 5374 - Power System Protective Relaying, University of Texas at Arlington
EE 5308 - Power Systems Modeling and Analysis, University of Texas at Arlington
EE 5379 - Power Electronics Principles, University of Texas at Arlington
I like music and concerts, soccer (a gunner and a fan of Messi), swimming, fitness, hiking, road trip, photography, movies, etc.
I play the violin. I was the concertmaster in my undergraduate symphony orchestra from 2011 to 2012.