Akshay Shivaram, MSEE, MBA, PMP

Akshay Shivaram, MSEE, MBA, PMP

Denver Metropolitan Area
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About

Akshay Shivaram is currently a Senior Transmission Manager at RWE managing generation…

Articles by Akshay

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Experience

  • RWE Graphic

    RWE

    Denver, Colorado, United States

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    Denver Metropolitan Area

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    Orlando, Florida, United States

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    Orlando, Florida Area

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    Orlando, Florida Area

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    Loveland, Colorado

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    Loveland, Colorado

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    Loveland, Colorado

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    Loveland, Colorado

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    Tempe, AZ

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    Folsom, California

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    Phoenix, Arizona Area

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    Tehri Area, India

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    New Delhi Area, India

Education

  • University of Colorado Boulder - Leeds School of Business Graphic

    University of Colorado Boulder - Leeds School of Business

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    Activities and Societies: Beta Gamma Sigma.

    Received academic scholarship for excellent performance
    GPA - 3.85

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    Activities and Societies: The Faithful City, CRUSH Servant Leadership, USIEF

    Interned at California ISO during MS.
    GPA - 3.85

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    Activities and Societies: National Service Scheme (NSS) of SASTRA University, India

    First class with distinction.
    GPA - 3.5

Licenses & Certifications

Volunteer Experience

  • First Round Judge

    Center for Science Teaching and Learning (CSTL)

    - 10 months

    Education

    • Served as a first round judge in 2014 "Clean Tech Competition", a program of the CSTL, which motivates students to take on world's problem to make a better tomorrow.

  • Servant Leader

    The Faithful City

    - 1 year 10 months

    Environment

    • Beautify the neighborhood park (Hudson Park) on first Saturday of each month.
    • Served student community by cleaning up ASU stadium after games.
    • Actively participate in shampoo drive for HOPE fest, largest social event in Arizona. (http://cityserveaz.com/hopefest/)

  • Team leader

    SASTRA University - SCORE Project

    - 5 months

    Education

    • Lead team project undertaken by IIT, Bombay, Government of India and SASTRA University to prepare tutorials on a useful topics for people who have -
    -> Difficulty in understanding English
    -> Lack of proper guidance
    -> Lack of knowledge of accessibility
    -> Lack of infrastructure facilities available

  • Volunteer

    National Service Scheme, SASTRA University

    - 11 months

    Social Services

    • Surveyed youths and gathered information about the health problems faced by people of various districts in Tamil Nadu as part of special camping program : ' Healthy Youth for Healthy India'.

  • Volunteer

    Tamil Nadu State Aids Control Society

    - 3 months

    Health

    • Voluntary blood donation in service to suffering patients.

Publications

  • Renewable Sources of Energy - Boon or Bane?

    Electrical Mirror Magazine

    -> Discussed about the overlooked problems associated with utilizing Renewable Sources of Energy (RES).
    -> Explored various existing solutions to these problems along with their drawbacks.

Courses

  • Advanced Power Electronics

    EEE 572

  • Business Analysis for Engineers

    BMSOMS 001

  • Computer Solution of Power Systems

    EEE 574

  • Consumer Behaviour

    BMSOMS 003

  • Corporate Finance

    MBAC 6060-572

  • Design Engineering Experiments

    IEE 572

  • Electrical Power Devices

    EEE 591

  • Energy Markets

    EEE 598

  • Feedback Systems

    EEE 591

  • Finance for Engineers

    BMSOMS 002

  • Financial Accounting

    MBAC 6020-572

  • Generation, Operation and Planning

    BEECEE 703

  • Indian Business Models

    BMSOMS 004

  • Managerial Economics

    MBAC 6010-572

  • Marketing Management

    MBAC 6091-572

  • Network and Systems

    BEECEE 403

  • OES-NA NERC Certification Training

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  • Power Engineering Operations and Planning

    EEE 577

  • Power System Analysis

    BEECEE 604

  • Power System Economics

    BEECEE 702

  • Power System Stability

    EEE 575

  • Power System Transients

    EEE 571

  • Protection and Switchgear

    BEECEE 701

  • Quantitative Methods

    MBAC 6030

  • Socially Responsible Enterprise

    MBAC 6000

  • Transmission and Distribution

    EEE 579

  • Transmission and Distribution

    BEECEE 504

Projects

  • Lightning Analysis on transmission tower using PSCAD (Instructor - Professor George Karady)

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    -> Modeled transmission line network for the given specifications in PSCAD.
    -> Simulated the given lightning wave function to hit the top of a transmission tower.
    -> Determined the maximum tower top voltage and plotted the tower top voltage time function along with reflected voltage time function for analysis.
    -> Determined the back flash over voltage to check whether there will be back flash over or not for the given conditions.

  • Power system transient analysis using PSCAD (Instructor - Professor George Karady)

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    -> Modeled the system comprising of 1559 MVA, 24 KV generator, 1550 MVA, 24/525 KV transformer, long transmission line and constant impedance load in PSCAD for transient analysis.
    -> Plotted and determined maximum transient voltage on the line side of 525 KV circuit breaker to be -754.395 KV and on the load side of 525 KV transmission line to be -1020.395 KV when the three single phase breakers were opened at phase B positive maximum.
    -> Plotted and determined maximum Transient…

    -> Modeled the system comprising of 1559 MVA, 24 KV generator, 1550 MVA, 24/525 KV transformer, long transmission line and constant impedance load in PSCAD for transient analysis.
    -> Plotted and determined maximum transient voltage on the line side of 525 KV circuit breaker to be -754.395 KV and on the load side of 525 KV transmission line to be -1020.395 KV when the three single phase breakers were opened at phase B positive maximum.
    -> Plotted and determined maximum Transient Recovery Voltage (TRV) across breaker A to be 867.57 KV on the inception of single line to ground fault at the load end of the 525 KV line.
    -> Observed maximum transient voltage and TRV were considerably reduced to -539.14 KV and 584.52 KV respectively with the insertion of switching resistors as the oscillations were damped.
    -> Calculated maximum transient voltages and TRVs for different switching resistors (290, 300, 388, 500 and 900 ohms) and concluded that 300 ohms is an appropriate value of switching resistor or per-insertion resistor.

  • Single phase grid connected Photovoltaic (PV) string inverter using Piecewise Linear Electrical Circuit Simulation (PLECS) (Instructor - Professor Raja Ayyanar)

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    -> Designed isolated DC-DC converter stage and uni polar Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) DC-AC inverter stage for the given specifications. DC link capacitor between the DC-DC stage and DC-AC stage is also designed.
    -> Implemented control stage in DC-DC boost stage for controlling the output voltage of PV string, DC-AC inverter stage for controlling the injected grid current and DC link capacitor voltage.
    -> Single L filter was modeled to meet the 2% Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)…

    -> Designed isolated DC-DC converter stage and uni polar Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) DC-AC inverter stage for the given specifications. DC link capacitor between the DC-DC stage and DC-AC stage is also designed.
    -> Implemented control stage in DC-DC boost stage for controlling the output voltage of PV string, DC-AC inverter stage for controlling the injected grid current and DC link capacitor voltage.
    -> Single L filter was modeled to meet the 2% Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) requirements in grid current .
    -> Integrated the different stages and simulated in PLECS.
    -> Maximum injected power in the grid is 3kW. Solar PV input was modelled using BP365 -65W solar panels. 22 panels were connected in a string and 2 strings in parallel.
    -> Design considerations such as dc link capacitor voltage, solar PV output voltage for Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) considerations and injected current THD, were met.
    -> Controller design was validated by varying the solar irradiation input, MPPT reference, and grid voltage.
    -> Additionally,designed Phase Locked Loop (PLL) for injecting the current at unity power factor.

    Other creators

  • Synchronous machines modelling and Critical Clearing Time (CCT) evaluation using Dynamic Security Assessment (DSA) tools (Instructor - Professor Vijay Vittal)

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    -> Run the power flow using Powerflow and Short circuit Analysis Tool (PSAT) for the given system data.
    Phase - 1
    -> Modeled all the four generators of 6 bus, 2 area system as classical models in Transient Security Assessment Tool (TSAT) and determined CCT to be 6.8 cycles for a fault at bus nearest to inter area tie line by creating a contingency in dynamic file.
    -> Sensitivity of the CCT was studied by simulating the fault at different locations.
    Phase - 2
    ->…

    -> Run the power flow using Powerflow and Short circuit Analysis Tool (PSAT) for the given system data.
    Phase - 1
    -> Modeled all the four generators of 6 bus, 2 area system as classical models in Transient Security Assessment Tool (TSAT) and determined CCT to be 6.8 cycles for a fault at bus nearest to inter area tie line by creating a contingency in dynamic file.
    -> Sensitivity of the CCT was studied by simulating the fault at different locations.
    Phase - 2
    -> Modeled all the four generators of 6 bus, 2 area system as four different models ( CGEN, DGS0S01, DG0S04, DG0S05) in TSAT and CCT was observed for the possible different combination of generator models at the buses.
    -> Impact of inter area faults on the system stability was studied by monitoring the state variables of different generator models.
    -> Phase 1 and Phase 2 results were compared and it was found that the CCT is accurate and reliable if the most detailed model is chosen is near to the fault location to be studied.

    Other creators

  • EMS and OSS Mapping Tool

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    -> This tool is a part of “Outage Study Automation” project.
    -> Created a tool which can map EMS model into OSS model. This updated OSS model will be used by OE planning team for clearances.
    -> Areas done - All generators, load, lines and transformers in PG&E area.

    Benefits:
    -> Automated Outage Study Process
    -> Produces accurate study results to ensure reliable OE Planning and Real time operations.

    Other creators

  • Prototype tool for creating real time PSLF cases

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    -> Created a prototype tool to provide PSLF cases with real time data which can be used with the Path Study Tool to provide real-time System Operating Limits (SOLs) for major paths.

    Benefits:
    -> Using conservative SOLs can cause market congestion or compliance issues (Transmission Operator (TOP) standards). SOL based on real-time system conditions maybe lower than those provided by procedures or offline studies.
    -> Further offline analysis using PSLF with real-time system…

    -> Created a prototype tool to provide PSLF cases with real time data which can be used with the Path Study Tool to provide real-time System Operating Limits (SOLs) for major paths.

    Benefits:
    -> Using conservative SOLs can cause market congestion or compliance issues (Transmission Operator (TOP) standards). SOL based on real-time system conditions maybe lower than those provided by procedures or offline studies.
    -> Further offline analysis using PSLF with real-time system conditions


    Other creators

  • Real Time Contingency Analysis (RTCA) Project

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    -> Compared the contingencies provided by transmission planning team with the existing contingencies in EMS.
    -> Ensured that all contingencies are correctly defined and named according to convention.
    -> Areas done - Los Padres, North Bay, Diablo and Mission Trial Region.

    Benefits:
    -> Enterprise Model Management System (EMMS) project in progress at California ISO to transport all contingencies in RTCA to markets in the future. This project will eliminate multiple…

    -> Compared the contingencies provided by transmission planning team with the existing contingencies in EMS.
    -> Ensured that all contingencies are correctly defined and named according to convention.
    -> Areas done - Los Padres, North Bay, Diablo and Mission Trial Region.

    Benefits:
    -> Enterprise Model Management System (EMMS) project in progress at California ISO to transport all contingencies in RTCA to markets in the future. This project will eliminate multiple definitions of the same contingency in different platforms.
    -> North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) recommends to make use of RTCA for real-time operating reliability. All credible contingencies will be defined in EMS.

    Other creators

  • Bid Cost Minimization vs. Payment Cost Minimization (Instructor - Professor Kory Hedman)

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    -> Proposed a paper which compares both the auction mechanisms - the Payment Cost Minimization (PCM) technique, which is the new method as it minimizes the total payment cost and Offer Cost Minimization (OCM) used by ISOs today.
    -> Gave presentation to the class to convince the audience PCM is better method than OCM

    Other creators

  • Design of 345 KV high voltage line (Instructor - Professor George Karady)

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    Phase 1
    -> Selected the line site for 345 KV transmission line using Google Maps.
    -> Analyzed the line route and evaluate the local potential hazards and environmental effects.
    Phase 2
    -> Calculated the clearances, number and type of insulators required according to National Electric Safety Code (NESC) .
    -> Selected the transmission tower according to "Transmission Line Reference Book" by Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).
    -> Prepared an inventory list of…

    Phase 1
    -> Selected the line site for 345 KV transmission line using Google Maps.
    -> Analyzed the line route and evaluate the local potential hazards and environmental effects.
    Phase 2
    -> Calculated the clearances, number and type of insulators required according to National Electric Safety Code (NESC) .
    -> Selected the transmission tower according to "Transmission Line Reference Book" by Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).
    -> Prepared an inventory list of items required for building the proposed transmission line.
    Phase 3
    -> Calculated the electric and magnetic field around the transmission line.
    Phase 4
    -> Designed Lightning Protection using Rolling Sphere Method.
    -> Calculated the probability of lightning protection failure due shielding wire failure and back flashover.
    Phase 5
    -> Calculated Electromagnetic interference and audible noise due to corona.
    Phase 6
    -> Determined the regulation, losses and efficiency of the given distribution line.
    -> Optimized the location and calculated the value of capacitors and voltage regulators needed to regulate the voltage within specified limits.
    Phase 7
    -> Estimated the total cost of the project.
    -> Documented a commercial project for shareholders/investors that aims to selling the proposed line in the market.

  • Tool to perform Newton Raphson power flow on IEEE 118 bus system using sparsity programming techniques (Instructor - Professor Daniel Tylavsky)

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    -> Developed MATLAB code that performed power flow on the IEEE 118 bus system using Newton Raphson algorithm and sparsity programming techniques.
    -> Modeled transformers and transmission lines.
    -> Accounted for bus type switching and parallel branches.
    -> Determined real and reactive power flows on each branch of the system.
    -> Determined voltage and angle at each bus of the system.

  • Power system protection with different relay schemes (Instructor - Professor Vijay Vittal)

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    -> Modeled 14 bus system representing Arizona 230 KV transmission system (which serves a large city) using PowerWorld Simulator.
    -> Coordinated various protection schemes like time over current relay for overload protection, directional relay for transmission line protection and differential relay for transformer protection in the system.

  • N-1 contingency analysis for modified Arizona 500 and 345 kV system (Instructor - Professor Gerald Heydt)

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    -> Performed N-1 contingency analysis on the given system to check whether all the circuits remain within their long term MVA ratings for N-1 line outage conditions.
    -> Examined the maximum level of PV generation in the bus at Yavapai that can be accommodated ensuring that the system is N-1 secured.
    -> Maximum solar PV injection was found to be 1590 MW in Arizona.
    -> Presented facts of published estimated levels of PV generation that are expected in Arizona to support the…

    -> Performed N-1 contingency analysis on the given system to check whether all the circuits remain within their long term MVA ratings for N-1 line outage conditions.
    -> Examined the maximum level of PV generation in the bus at Yavapai that can be accommodated ensuring that the system is N-1 secured.
    -> Maximum solar PV injection was found to be 1590 MW in Arizona.
    -> Presented facts of published estimated levels of PV generation that are expected in Arizona to support the result.
    -> Estimated the value of added transmission to the existing circuit and calculated the cost of transmission expansion.

  • Tool to perform sparse LU factorization on 662 bus system (Instructor - Professor Tylavsky)

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    For a given sparse 662 admittance matrix,
    -> Developed MATLAB code to perform sparse Lower-Upper (LU) factorization.
    -> Using sparse sparse factorization, determed the voltage at all the buses for a given vector of current injections on each bus.

Honors & Awards

  • Certificate of Excellence

    Peak Reliability

  • Certificate of Excellence

    Peak Reliability

  • Certificate of Excellance

    Peak Reliability

  • Certificate of Excellence

    Peak Reliability

Test Scores

  • Test Of English as a Foreign Language(TOEFL)

    Score: 96/120

  • Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)

    Score: 1210/1600

  • Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)

    Score: 96 percentile

Languages

  • English

    Full professional proficiency

  • Hindi

    Full professional proficiency

  • Tamil

    Limited working proficiency

  • Sanskrit

    Elementary proficiency

Organizations

  • CRUSH Servant Leadership

    Mentor's Hub Member

    - Present

    -> Organized 'LinkedIn workshop' to help people building their LinkedIn profile and use it effectively. -> Reviewed the resumes of attendees during 'Resume workshop'. -> Mentor students at Arizona State University. -> Actively participate in weekly meetings aimed at serving the community and building leadership skills.

  • DAKSH

    Organizer

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    -> Organized Live Wire event for DAKSH'10 in SASTRA University with tight deadlines and limited budget. -> Managed volunteers and motivated them to work.

  • Sankalp

    Assistant Organizer

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    -> Assisted the organizer to conduct the fun event. -> Worked as a team member with fellow volunteers with setting up the stage and stands for the technical event.

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