Sandeep Nair | Transmission Planning & PSS®E Automation

Transmission planner focused on reliable interconnections

North America–focused transmission planning, interconnection studies, and model automation.

Proud Employee Owner(Fully Vested) at Burns & McDonnell Engineering India Pvt. Ltd

Power systems engineer specializing in Siemens PTI PSS®E, PowerGEM TARA, GE PSLF, ETAP, HOMER Grid, Python-based automation, and transmission planning studies for North American utilities and developers.

My work spans interconnection application support, steady-state and voltage performance studies, reactive power compensation, short-circuit assessments, and injection analysis for large-scale renewable and grid modernization projects. I focus on turning complex study workflows into repeatable, automated pipelines that engineers trust and decision-makers can act on.

I also bring experience with transient stability, harmonic and relay coordination studies, grid code compliance, and load forecasting. Day to day, that means PSS®E and ASPEN at the core, supported by ETAP, ArcGIS, AutoCAD, and Python tooling that ties everything together.

PSS®E & steady-state studies Python + batch automation Renewable integration Interconnection applications

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Experience

Jan 2025 – Present · Mumbai

Associate Senior Engineer – Transmission Planning

1898 & Co. (Burns & McDonnell India)

Lead transmission planning studies for interconnection applications from preliminary screening through commissioning support.
Drive study scope, methodology, and documentation for North American utility and developer clients.
Guide Python-based automation and review of multi-scenario result sets for decision-ready insights.

Aug 2022 – Dec 2024 · Mumbai

Engineer – Transmission Planning

1898 & Co. (Burns & McDonnell India)

Performed steady-state power flow, reactive power compensation, cap bank switching, short-circuit, and RVC analysis in PSS®E.
Built and maintained Python-driven PSS®E multi-run frameworks to accelerate contingency and scenario evaluations.
Collaborated with ISO/RTO stakeholders across North America to confirm grid reliability and study assumptions.
Supported utility-scale solar and zero-emission transportation initiatives through detailed grid impact assessments.

Jan 2022 – Aug 2022 · Bengaluru

Analyst Co-op – Power Systems Analytics

GE Appliances

Analyzed commercial grid-connected loads (laundromats, appliance-heavy retail) to improve reliability and energy efficiency.
Developed load-switching and demand-response strategies aligned with utility signals.
Worked directly with the Kentucky headquarters on analytics deliverables and control-logic requirements.
Supported IP development, contributing to ideation and patent documentation for load-management algorithms.
Worked with cross-functional teams on data-driven insights feeding into planning and operations decisions.

Mar 2021 – Dec 2021 · Kolkata

GET Engineer – Electrical

Haldia Petrochemicals

Gained hands-on experience with industrial power systems, including captive generation and process loads.
Assisted with protection coordination checks, equipment loading reviews, and outage planning.

Jan 2019 – Jul 2019 · Mumbai

Research Intern & JRF – Electrical Engineering

IIT Bombay

Worked on IP-driven research and feedback-controlled magnetic levitation at IIT Bombay.
Built early experience in modeling, control, and analytical thinking applied to electrical systems.

Tool Proficiency & Study Ecosystem

Along with PSS®E–Python automation, my work frequently intersects with industry-standard planning and modeling platforms:

PowerGEM TARA – screening studies, PTDF/OTDF analytics, and identifying stressed interfaces.
GE PSLF – steady-state and contingency analysis used in WECC-aligned transmission planning studies.
ETAP – AC load flow, short-circuit, and protective coordination in industrial & captive generation networks.
HOMER Pro / Grid – hybrid system modeling, DER integration assessments, and techno-economic optimization.

Education

2019–2021 · M.Tech in Electrical Power Systems
Government College of Engineering, Karad
2015–2019 · B.E. in Electrical Engineering
University of Mumbai

Project Experience

A snapshot of recent programmes and interconnection studies I’ve supported as engineer and associate senior engineer, primarily for North American utilities and large renewable developers.

Network-Level Interconnection

FirstEnergy Load Interconnection Study

Transmission Planner – Planning & Coordination Studies

▸ Detailed Workflow (Folder Creation → Analysis → Report)

Standardized Project Setup: Created OpCo-specific folders (Case, Input, Drawing, Results) from FE templates; ensured structured, traceable model and data management.
IDV Model Development: Built PSSE IDV files to split buses, tap lines, add loads, update topology, and validate system balance before running in PSS®E/Enfuzion.
Contingency Preparation: Loaded updated cases in TARA Viewer, attached SUB/MON/CON files, resolved tap-related warnings (1030 edits), and verified readiness for N-1 / N-1-1 studies.
TARA ACCA Simulation: Configured ACCA spreadsheet for N-1 and N-1-1 runs, linked PSSE/TARA files, executed analysis, and monitored full simulation through Sparta/Enfuzion.
Results Processing: Filtered N-1 and N-1-1 violations, removed lower-kV/P+ non-applicable events, screened valid thermal/voltage issues, and compiled clean planner-ready result sets.
One-Line Diagrams: Developed FE-formatted planning diagrams in Visio including tap distances, substation data, GIS/TAMI imagery, and customer/utility connection details.
Reporting: Prepared CLS/DLS reports detailing assumptions, methodology, contingency performance, reinforcement needs, and issued internal + redacted customer versions.

Performed FirstEnergy transmission-level Load Interconnection Studies in accordance with FE Planning Criteria, CLS/DLS procedures, PJM protocols, and NERC TPL standards.
Modeled customer load additions in PSS®E, updated FE/PJM base cases, and executed N-1, N-1-1, and Generator Deliverability studies using PowerGEM TARA.
Reviewed PJM-posted deliverability results and identified system upgrades or reinforcements.
Built FE one-line diagrams (internal + customer versions) using Microsoft Visio.
Prepared formal FE planning reports summarizing assumptions, results, violations, and mitigations.
Coordinated directly with FirstEnergy planners through structured weekly sync-ups and TCPR workflows.

Generation Interconnection

FE Generation Interconnection – GenDeliv Analysis

Transmission Planner – FE Generation Interconnection Support

▸ GenDeliv Workflow (Case Build → Analysis → Results)

Case Development: Added new generation using PSSE IDV workflows, updated Area settings, Pmax/Qmax limits, and validated machine parameters.
RTEP Case Integration: Loaded FE/PJM RTEP cases in TARA Studio, inserted new machine at correct tap/substation bus, and ensured convergence.
GD Data Preparation: Created GenDeliv data sheets (bus, area, Pmax, CIR, MW Cap) following FE/PJM templates.
GenDeliv Simulation: Executed FE GenDeliv tool twice (Base + Post-Project), with appropriate SUB/MON/CON files and flowgate capture enabled.
Results Processing: Processed active/all flowgate files, filtered by Pre-Existing/Below-100% logic, and identified valid overloads.
Violation Classification: Flagged lower-kV P+ non-applicable contingencies, validated remaining overloads, and prepared pivot-table summaries.
Deliverables: Packaged Base vs Post comparison, flowgate data, pivot summaries, and planner-ready results for FE review.

Performed FE Generation Interconnection GenDeliv assessments using PJM RTEP cases and FE-approved TARA workflows.
Built generation additions in PSSE (Area, Pmax/Qmax, CIR) and verified electrical correctness in TARA Studio.
Executed full GenDeliv runs (Base + Post), processed flowgate results, and identified valid system overloads.
Prepared FE-formatted deliverables including GD Data, active/all flowgate outputs, and pivot-based violation summaries.

Programme Support · Reactive Studies

NextEra Energy Resources – VAR & Fault Study Portfolio

Associate Senior Engineer – Portfolio Study Lead 40+ sites · up to 1200 MW @ 345 kV

▸ Workflow (Conceptual → 30% → IFC VAR & Fault Studies)

Multi-site portfolio setup: Organized 40+ solar/BESS sites across U.S. regions from East Coast to West Coast, standardizing templates, study assumptions, and reporting structure under 1898 & Co. (consulting wing of Burns & McDonnell).
Model development: Built equivalent and detailed collector-system models in PSS®E for each site, including main GSU, feeders, pad-mount transformers, and inverter representations.
Preliminary VAR & fault studies: Evaluated power-factor capability, POI voltage criteria, transformer impedance, and short-circuit duty at early design stages; tested mitigation via shunt devices, inverter dispatch, and tap settings.
30% & IFC refresh: Refined studies as collection system and substation designs matured, updating models and rerunning VAR/fault checks to track design impacts.
Deliverables: Prepared site-specific VAR and fault reports, coordinated comments with OEMs and developers, and aligned outputs with interconnection and internal design milestones.

Led portfolio-level coordination for VAR and short-circuit studies across multiple solar/BESS sites.
Standardized study templates and reporting structure, improving consistency across projects and design stages.
Collaborated with OEMs, developers, and internal design teams to close gaps between study assumptions and evolving layouts.

Cooperative Utility Planning

PowerSouth Energy Cooperative

Support Engineer – Fleet Management

Supported fleet electrification planning, load impacts, and integration considerations for zero-emission transportation initiatives.

NYISO Interconnection

AES Clean Energy Development LLC

Transmission Planner

Modeled multiple renewable plants in PSS®E, supported interconnection application form completion, and provided dynamics study support, delivering a complete interconnection studies package. ASPEN was used for associated short-circuit studies.

Programme Support

Invenergy

Transmission Planner

Provided conceptual-to-commissioning support for multiple project substations, including reactive power studies, short-circuit analysis, and mitigation recommendations for reinforcement and protection coordination.

Engineering Tools & Utilities

These tools reflect how I think about study workflows: repeatable, transparent, and easy for other engineers to adopt. Public links are provided where possible; others are demonstrated in project diagrams or on request.

Load Flow Converter

Convert case formats and validate model consistency across planning and operations environments.

Open

Short Circuit Tool

Calculate fault levels with configurable source equivalencing and exportable reports.

Open

Voltage Profile Explorer

Visualize per-bus voltage, identify weak pockets, and track limits across scenarios.

Open

Contingency Analysis Explainer

Screen N-1 / N-2 events and highlight binding elements with engineer-friendly summaries.

Open

Transformer Loading View

Single view for thermal checks, tap positions, and normal/emergency ratings.

Open

Line Impedance Visualizer

Inspect R/X/B and derive sequence parameters with interactive plots.

Open

Drive Mapping Utility

One-click network drive setup with environment-aware paths for study teams.

Open

Network Viewer

Interactive bus-branch graphs with filtering, searching, and case overlays.

Open

Experimental Tools

Early-stage utilities and prototypes under active development.

Open