Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
As an energy scientist with over 10 years of experience in different electrical planning & operation projects, I am extremely passionate about electricity generation from renewable energies (solar & wind), energy storage systems, and electric vehicles in real-world electric applications. My key expertise includes evaluation and forecasting of revenue streams for battery storage systems (BESS), thermal energy storage systems (TESS), PV, concentrated solar power (CSP), including both energy and frequency control ancillary service (FCAS) markets in the national energy market (NEM), development of storage system revenue optimization models, revenue forecasting for renewable generators, projection of FCAS causer pays costs and projections of small-scale distributed energy resource technologies; to inform investors of decisions, supporting due diligence asset transactions, and assist with government subsidy programs. My highlighted projects include modelling and developing business cases for a 140MW/140MWh BESS in SA with a capital cost of $130M, and a hybrid solar PV+CSP+BESS for the NSW state government to be integrated with Vales Point Power plant with a capital cost of $350M. Additionally, highly experienced in investigating/ extracting rules and modelling frameworks based on regular publications of the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), Australian Energy Regulator (AER), and Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) etc. Demand response (DR) management and virtual power plant (VPP) formation for energy utilities/ electric consumers considering behind-the-meter solar and batteries to increase the profit of market participants in NEM are other projects I worked on during recent years. I provide energy companies with operational in-depth consultancy services by employing advanced simulation software and optimization algorithms. These services include the design and analysis of renewable sources and storage units for residential, distribution, and energy generation sectors. As a renewable energy scholar, in addition to 3 years of lectures, workshops, and labs, I published more than 40 international journal and conference papers (30 of them during the Ph.D. course at University Technology Sydney). My research works include the applications of novel energy storage technologies in renewable energy-integrated electric power systems and VPP for large-scale and distribution grids in NEM. Besides, I have over 6 years of working experience as a professional electrician (level 2 and level 3).
• Developed a Python-based data-analysis model using PyPSSE API for location assessment of potential, green-filed solar–BESS power plants, determined transmission line loading incorporating AEMO’s PSSE snapshots that mimic wide area model network conditions/loading and seasonal rating of transmission lines, linked to GIS software to get involved with geographical/environmental parameters. • Established a data-driven analysis for the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) South Australia-Victoria reliability tender bid of OX2 Horsham BESS, detailed potential benefits of BEES for VIC rhombus in terms of system strength, congestion management, and grid reliability, based on correlation matrix of VER generation-load correlation in REZ V2 and V3, impacts of VNI and WRL transmission augmentations, ESOO reliability forecast matrices, and Victorian Renewable Energy Zones Development Plan. • Prepared technical reports for NSW CIS tender highlighting OX2 under-development assets benefits regarding system strength, system reliability, VRE curtailment and congestion alleviation based on AEMO’s ISP, Transgrid’s Transmission Annual Planning Report; Considered factors like coal plants retirement in central REZ and network reinforcements. • Prepared technical reports for Transgrid RIT-T tender for OX2 grid-forming BESSs, based on analysis of system strength nodes in NSW, trends of BESS developments; evaluated impacts of network planning and augmentations like project Energy connect, VNI, QNI, Humelink, Sydney ring and Hunter project; Investigate run-back schemes and AEMO/Transgrid planned outages. • Managed external consulting and NSP stakeholders for OX2 solar/BESS projects. Prepared design/financial input parameters and constraints for modelling consultants; reviewed and requested revisions of the reports in terms of revenue, marginal loss factor, and curtailments; and presented investment options for investors deduced from final technical results.
• Modelled and implemented the first Australian package for concentrated solar power (CSP) bidding in energy/FCAS markets for company VAST SOLAR to be constructed in Port Augusta, SA. Developed linear mathematical models of heliostats, thermal storage, resistive heater, and turbine. A revenue of $265M is forecasted for a 30MW/240MWh CSP plant using PLEXOS price curves considering market contingencies. • Managed the development and maintenance of the BESS model participating in Energy and FCAS markets, forecasted revenue streams for clients and investors using an in-house developed benchmark price curve. Consulted Australian/international clients on results investigation and potential market participation options/challenges in developing their business case in NEM. • Delivered bespoke benchmark price curves using PLEXOS modelling for clients, considered announcements/retirement scheduling of coal-fired power plants, updates on VRE/load schedules from AEMO and ESOO in different Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) in NEM, impacts of delayed storage units (BESS and snowy 2.0), renewable energy targets from state governments, and contingencies. • Built an online Docker-Python-based model designed for both merchant and behind-the-meter (BTM) solar co-located configurations, incorporating client’s power purchase agreement and contract for difference (CFD), collaborated with the IT team to develop a docker-BESS platform for internal use and customers as a new subscription product. Fabricated a dash as input/out portal managing illustrations and analysis of the results. • Built a long-term EV uptake model based on the population forecast of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), structured 9 scenarios of EV uptake (Slow, progressive, step change) and population growth (low/medium, high) to evaluate EV load of 9 groups of EV drivers in each state of NEM. Consulted on potential solutions to alleviate impacts of uncoordinated charging of heavy EV trucks/buses.
• Managed to build an online ABS to bid for BESS and Gas generators (GA) in the real-time energy and all contingency and regulation FCAS markets of NEM, used linear bi-objective programming based on Python & Gurobi platforms compatible with the 5-min market. • Provided ElectraNet (SA electricity transmission company) with technical modelling/consultancy to arrange a 300MW/s fast frequency response (FFR) tender for SA providers, frequent meetings with SAPN (SA power network) and Australia Energy Market Operator (AEMO) to comply with compliances in terms of grid stability and NEM operation, resulted in a $12M saving comparing to the previous round. • Delivered gas and electricity data analytics based on large-scale data extracted from the NEM SQL server to improve the ABS trading operations, manual trading systems, and strategic feedback to the clients. • Developed an advanced data science-based technique to improve price prediction in NEM, monitoring market events and constraints, to maximise clients’ revenue while monitoring FCAS predictions to manage the risk of causer-to-pay FCAS for solar and wind plants. • Contributed towards the marketing in relation to existing/new clients, managed varied stakeholders and counterparts while communicating with commercial operations teams of customers, suppliers, pipeline operators, etc. and internal operations and plant operators
• Developing financial models of energy revenue forecasts for project opportunities, to inform commercialisation strategies and negotiation of commercial agreements • Forecasting of revenue streams for BESS and TESS from both energy and FCAS markets in the NEM, development of storage system revenue optimization models • Developing dynamic system models of 1414 Degrees technology particularly for optimising TESS-GRID design, operation with multiple generation assets and dispatch strategies for maximising revenue • Supervising external consultants, to support timely and rigorous commercial modelling and analysis to inform strategic decision making • Supporting a collaborative culture across the company’s business development and engineering teams to identify and analyse new commercial opportunities that align with the company’s strategic objectives • Communicating modelling outputs and critical analysis of data in reports or presentations for internal and external audiences