Dr. Inam Nutkani

Dr Inam has diversified experience and expertise in different domains of Power Systems. He has successfully secured and completed several infrastructure and research projects in collaboration with different entities. He has published more than 20 papers in top tier transactions and international conferences as a first author.

His professional expertise and research interest is in following three main areas:

1. Renewable, Distributed Generation and Microgrids
2. Power Electronics/Control 
3. Next Generation Electricity Grids

Areas of research interest

Renewable, distributed generation and microgrids

• AC and DC microgrid design, control and management
• Interlinked or hybrid ac-dc grids, electrical and thermal microgrids, building-to-grid  systems
• Renewable system design and interconnection with microgrid and utility grid.
• Energy storage systems for microgrid and grid application
• Distributed and centralized optimization of microgrids  

Power electronics/control

• Power electronic converters design and control for renewable and future grid applications such as D-FACTS, electronic transformers, fault current limiters
• Distributed/autonomous/droop control

Next generation electricity grids

• Renewable and storage system application and impact analysis on grid resilience and reliability
• Reconfigurable future distribution systems, adaptive protection (Power + Protection + IT Network)
• DC microgrids and distribution systems
• Power system analysis of future grids  – steady state and dynamic system studies

Grant-call projects

Successful grant-call project with role as a Lead PI or Co-PI:

• Ramp Rate Power Injection Demonstrator (RAPID), NRF/EMA Singapore, S$1.7M, Lead PI, 2015-2018

Successful grant-call project with role as a Collaborator:
These projects were funded under A*STAR Thematic Research Program(TRP) – Intelligent Energy Distribution System (IEDS):    

• Power converter and grid architectural design for future intelligent energy distribution Networks, NTU Singapore, S$0.96M, 2008-2011
• Microgrid energy management system, NTU Singapore, S$1.3M, 2008-2011
• Intelligent trading/metering/billing system for future smart distribution system, NTU Singapore, S$0.48M, 2008-2011

Internal and industry funded projects

Completed internal and collaborative research projects with industry, utilities companies and Goverment agencies:

• Low Frequency Oscillation (LFO) impact on wind turbine generators, Collaborator: Industry, Co-PI, 2011
• Modelling and analysis the FCLs applications for network and DERs, Collaborator: Electric Utility/Industry, Lead PI, 2011-12
• Micro-power grid design evaluation for renewable power supply in Sabang, Puerto Princesa, The Philippines, Collaborator: Industry, Lead PI, 2013
• Diesel generator behaviour characterization under various operating conditions, Collaborator: Industry, Lead PI, 2013
• Distribution network design evaluation for Sabang power generation project, Collaborator: Industry, Lead PI, 2014-15
• Impact of high penetration of solar PV on zonal electrical network – nominated for MTI Borderless Awards 2014, Collaborator: Govt. agency, Co-PI/Team Member, 2012-13
• Design evaluation of Pulao-Ubin microgrid project, Collaborator: Govt. agency, Team Member, 2014
• Development of auxiliary control system for hybrid operation of commercial drive for marine application, Collaborator: Industry, Team Member, 2016

Infrastructure and development projects

Completed infrastructure projects:

• 3 MW decentralized power generation plan at NESCOM, Islamabad, Pakistan, Project Lead, 2004-2006
• 1 MW experimental (microgrid) grid for testing and validation of DGs and Microgrid technologies, EPGC, A*STAR, Singapore, Team Member, 2008-2011 
• Planning, design and procurement for equipment for Power Electronics laboratory at EPGC, Singapore, Team Member, 2008-2011
• Motor control centre for multi-functional machines test-bed at EPGC, Singapore, EPGC Internal Project, Project Lead, 2014-15
• Technology agnostic platform (design) for testing and validation of different energy storage technologies, NRF/EMA Grant Project, Project Lead, 2015-2016
• Microgrid Central Controller (MGCC) + and integration of new DERs, EPGC Internal Project,  Team Member, 2014-15
• Installation and commissioning of 90kW motor-generator and 200kW drive set, EPGC Internal Project, Team Member, 2014
• Design and development of Load Bank controllers, EPGC Internal Project, Project Lead, 2014-15

Prior teaching and training activities

• Post-graduate Course EE6503: Modern Electrical Drives, Jan 2016 Semester at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 
• Training and workshops in different areas of Electrical Power Systems (Ground-grid Design, Cable Sizing, Optimal Capacitor Placement, Short Circuit Analysis, Load Flow, Motor Starting) and Software (DigSILENT PowerFactory) at the consultancy firm - JM Peng  Seah, Singapore and research organization – EPGC, A*STAR, Singapore

Recognition/Achievements

• Certificate of appreciation for invaluable contribution as a Mentor to the Energy Innovation Challenge 2015, by The Institution of Engineers, Singapore, 2015
• Project “Investigation of the Impact of High Solar Photovoltaics (PV) Penetration on the Singapore Power Grid” nominated for MTI Borderless Awards, Singapore, 2014
• Service recognition award from Experimental Power Grid Centre (EPGC), A*STAR, 2013
• Accelerated 4 stage promotion starting from Research Officer in 2008  to  Scientist II in 2016 due to outstanding contribution and achievements, EPGC, A*STAR, 2008-16
  

External websites

• Researchgate
• Google Scholar
• Linkedin

• Teaching responsibilities
  • Semester 2, 2016: EEET2224 Power Electronic Converters  
• Research and supervision

• PhD (Distributed Generation, Microgrids, Power Systems), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, 2014
• MSc (Power Engineering), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, 2007
• BE (Electrical), NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Pakistan, 2003
  

Employment history

Dr Inam has more than 12 years of work experience with power utilities, industry, consultancy firms and research organizations as briefly summarized below: 

• Various possitions held at Experimental Power Grid Centre (EPGC), Agency for Science, Technology & Research (A*STAR), Singapore

While working at EPGC – A*STAR, Dr Inam has undertaken and completed several research and infrastructure related projects in different domains of Electrical Power Systems (distribution systems, renewable, power electronics, electrical drives, grid storage system, fault current limiters, distributed generation and microgirds) in collaboration with industry and other partner agencies. In capacity of either as a project lead or core-team member, he gains invaluable experience and skills of proposal writing, budgeting, project management and execution of projects technical/research tasks.

In addition to the research projects, he planned, designed and prepared specifications for new and existing infrastructure upgrade projects related to power distribution networks. Subsequently he procured, approved the detailed design submissions and supervised the work to ensure compliance with the requirements and relevant local codes and international standards.  At EPGC, He led the team of researchers for the operation and maintenance of experimental facility/grid and trained several batches of researchers on the safe switching operation of facility and equipment – distribution switchgears and storage systems, emulators and microgrid central controller.

• Newcastle Energy Centre, CSIRO, Australia

2009, Visiting Researcher to carry out joint experimentation on their microgrid together with the CSIRO’s scientists.  

• Electrical Engineer at West Energy (Asia Pacific), Singapore 

At West Energy, he designed the Electrical Systems for the implementation of West Energy’s newly patented run-of-the-river type Hydro and Wind turbines technology. His work scope was to plan, design and prepare the specifications for the balance of the system for wind/hydro turbine technologies which includes the review and selection of generators, power converters, and control and management system for the standalone and grid-connected systems.

• Senior Electrical Engineer at J M Pang and Seah Pte Ltd., Singapore

At JM Peng Seah, Dr Inam worked with a team of Professional Engineers (PEs) and Licenced Electrical Workers (LEWs) as a senior design support engineer for various power systems projects (66kV and 22kV) to carry out power system design studies for compliance and authority’s submission – balance, un-balance, optimal load flow, transient stability analysis, harmonic analysis and filter designing, short circuit analysis, cable sizing, relay coordination etc. In addition, he conducted several training sessions/workshops on ETAP and SKM software modules for the engineers/staff.

• Assistant Manager Electrical at National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM), Islamabad, Pakistan

At NESCOM, he led the Electrical department of Work & Services (W&S) Directorate of NESCOM. The most interesting and challenging project he worked on was a three megawatt (3 MW) distributed generation/ standalone microgrid which was built to meet the power demand of 11 new Center of Excellence (COE) buildings/offices/labs. He worked with the team of engineers for the preparation of design specifications and tendering.  After the project award, he led the project for the installation, testing and commissioning of the complete system.  The project was completed in a record time of less than 2 years and currently operating successfully.  

• Assistant Executive Engineer (Electrical) at Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC or K-Electric), Karachi, Pakistan

After tertiary education, Dr Inam started his career with one of the biggest electric utility firm of Pakistan – KESC (K-Electric) that is responsible for the generation, transmission and distribution of power to the Karachi City. He worked in Substation and Under-ground Cables Maintenance Dept. and was responsible for the routine and emergency maintenance of substations (11kV/230V transformers and switchgears etc.) and cables (11kV and 230V) to ensure the continuous power supply covering one third of the Karachi city. He supervised in-house and on-site the maintenance and repairing work of 11kV/230V transformers, 11kV switchgears and feeder protections devices. During his appointment in underground cable department, he supervised the teams of sub-engineers and technicians for on-site fault location using High-voltage surge generator and time domain reflectometer (TDR) and subsequent cable jointing work.

In addition to the routine maintenance, he planned, designed and prepared the feasibility proposals, and subsequently supervised the new commercial and existing substation up-gradation projects.

Professional memberships and activities

• Professional Engineer (PE) membership with Engineers Australia (EA)
• Professional Engineer (PE) membership with Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC)
• Senior Member of IEEE (M’08, SM’14)
• Member of IEEE review panel for Senior Member grade elevation, @Marriot, May, 2014 
• Member of Industrial Electronics Society, IEEE
• Member of Power and Energy Society, IEEE
• Reviewer for the grant-call proposals for National Research Foundation (NRF), Singapore and Energy Innovation Program Office (EIPO)/Energy Market Authority (EMA), Singapore
• Reviewer for the following Journals/Magazines/Conferences
  • IEEE Trans. in Power Electronics
  • IEEE Trans. in Industrial Electronics
  • IEEE Trans. in Industrial Application
  • IEEE Trans. in Smart Grid, Energy Conversion, Power Delivery, Sustainable Energy, Power Systems.
  • IET in Power Electronics 
  • International Journal for Power and Energy Systems (IJPES)
  • IEEE Journal of Emerging and Selected Topics in Power Electronics
  • Several IEEE Conferences