Nauman Ali Memon
M.E. POWER SYSTEMS
Bridging Dynamic Grid Stability with Advanced Power Electronics
Research Assistant, Smart Grids and High Voltages Sukkur IBA University
Electrical Engineer with an M.E. in Electrical Power Systems (CGPA 3.61/4.0) and hands-on experience across smart grids, STATCOM-based power quality enhancement, SCADA operations, and renewable energy systems. Currently serving as a Research Assistant at the Department of Electrical Engineering, Sukkur IBA University (Aug 2025 – Present), conducting research on reinforcement learning-based STATCOM control for power quality improvement in renewable-rich community microgrids.
Core Research & Methods
- Reinforcement Learning STATCOM Control
- SSSC Cross-Border Power Flow Optimization
- SCADA & High-Voltage Grid Station Ops
- Coordinated DG & Shunt Reactor Placement
Engineering Toolchain
- MATLAB / Simulink & Simscape Electrical
- PSS/E (Power System Simulator)
- Python & C++ Modeling
- NI LabVIEW, MultiSim & Design-Expert
Research Publications
Peer-reviewed publications, accepted conference papers, and under-review journal submissions addressing modern power grid stability, STATCOM control, and series compensation.
Published & Accepted Papers
Mitigating Fault Currents and Overloads via Coordinated DG and Reactor Placement
PublishedFormulated and validated an optimization-based strategy for coordinated placement of distributed generation and reactors to mitigate fault currents and overloads on a 132 kV meshed network using PSS/E.
Mathematical Validation and Dynamic Simulation of SSSC-Based Power Transfer Enhancement in a Cross-Border Interconnection
AcceptedModeled and simulated a Static Synchronous Series Compensator (SSSC) for dynamic power flow control and power transfer capability enhancement across a cross-border 275 kV interconnection corridor.
Voltage Profile Enhancement of a 275 kV Transmission Interconnection Using STATCOM: A Modeling and Simulation Study
AcceptedSimulated and validated STATCOM placement and control strategies to improve voltage stability and reactive power dynamic compensation along a 275 kV transmission interconnection.
Submitted & Under Review
Safe-RL-STATCOM: Online Safety-Shielded Power-Quality Control for Grid Connected Community Microgrids
Under ReviewProposes an online safety-shielded reinforcement learning control scheme for STATCOM systems in grid-connected community microgrids, enforcing strict operational voltage and current boundary constraints while providing real-time power-quality regulation under steep renewable generation fluctuations.
M.E. Thesis Overview
Reinforcement learning-assisted control strategies for STATCOM in renewable-rich microgrid environments.
Core Microgrid Challenges
1. Dynamic Power & Renewable Volatility: Community microgrids suffer from severe voltage and frequency deviations due to high integration of intermittent solar PV, wind generators, and volatile localized loading profiles.
2. Harmonic Distortion & Fixed-Gain Limitations: Non-linear power electronic loads degrade overall power quality. Conventional fixed-gain PI controllers in standard FACTS devices struggle to adapt rapidly to topological shifts and load dynamics.
Research Objectives
1. Adaptive RL-Based Outer Loop: Designing and training a reinforcement learning agent to dynamically modulate reactive power injection without requiring exact mathematical model parameterization.
2. Real-Time Power Quality Regulation: Mitigating voltage sags, swells, and harmonics in real time under abrupt generation and load variations typical of decentralized networks.
3. Comparative Assessment: Benchmarking against classical PI-controlled STATCOM configurations to demonstrate superior settling time, overshoot suppression, and THD compliance.
Simulation & Modeling Specifications
The model implements dynamic decoupled vector control loops in the synchronized d-q reference frame. The reinforcement learning agent dynamically coordinates reactive current injection and DC-link capacitor voltage regulation to maintain grid-compliant voltage profiles under steep renewable ramps.
Academic References
Research advisors and faculty members at Sukkur IBA University, Department of Electrical Engineering.
Dr. Hafiz Mudassir Munir
Department of Electrical Engineering
Sukkur IBA University
Dr. Qasim Ali
Department of Electrical Engineering
Sukkur IBA University
Dr. Ghulam Akbar
Department of Electrical Engineering
Sukkur IBA University
Education
Master of Engineering (M.E.), Electrical Power Systems
Thesis: Safe-RL-STATCOM: Online Safety-Shielded Power-Quality Control for Grid Connected Community Microgrids.
Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.), Electrical Engineering
Focused on power systems, electrical machines, protection, control, and renewable energy systems.
Honors & Awards
- First Prize, IEEE SCONEST-22 Conference – Sukkur IBA University (Nov 2022) for best abstract presentation on biogas production optimization from campus waste.
- Accepted as Leadership Candidate – Aspire Institute, founded at Harvard University, USA (Jan 2023).
Leadership & Volunteering
General Secretary
Elected by over 2,500 students; contributed to policy-making, event management, and student governance at university level.
Technical Skills
Work Experience
Research Assistant, Smart Grids and High Voltages
• Conducting research on reinforcement learning-based STATCOM control for power quality improvement in renewable-integrated microgrids.
• Developing and validating simulation models in MATLAB/Simulink for dynamic grid analysis.
• Supporting high-voltage laboratory experiments and graduate-level research activities.
Subject Specialist, Physics
• Delivered physics instruction with emphasis on applied concepts and analytical problem-solving.
• Designed curriculum aligned with national board standards and integrated practical demonstrations.
Management Trainee Engineer, Wind Generators
• Operated and monitored SCADA systems for a 56.4 MW wind power plant, ensuring real-time control and performance tracking.
• Gained hands-on experience with VESTAS V90 and VENSYS 62 wind turbine generators (gearboxes, transformers, control panels, yaw motors, slip rings).
• Worked in high-voltage grid station environments (20 kV to 132 kV) and MV rooms, handling feeders and power distribution.
Subject Specialist, Electrical and Electronics
• Taught Power Systems, Electronics, and Python programming to over 150 DAE and Associate Degree students.
• Developed and executed curriculum plans covering transmission, distribution, protection, and Python.
• Integrated hands-on laboratory projects to strengthen real-world problem-solving skills.
Protection and Inspection Intern
• Assisted in annual maintenance of a 132/11 kV grid station including transformer oil changes, Megger testing, CNDF testing, and bus bar maintenance.
• Conducted circuit breaker timing tests and relay tripping/closing tests to verify system reliability.
Key Projects
Online safety-shielded RL control scheme for STATCOM in community microgrids. Under review at Energy Science & Engineering, Wiley.
Modeled and simulated a Static Synchronous Series Compensator for power flow control across a 275 kV interconnection.
Simulated and validated STATCOM placement strategies to improve voltage stability along a 275 kV transmission corridor.
Optimization strategy for DG and reactor placement to mitigate fault currents. Published at IEEE ICPEE 2025.
Implemented frequency/voltage control, series compensation, and overcurrent protection; analyzed behavior via SCADA.
Optimized anaerobic digestion of campus organic waste using Design-Expert and OriginPro. Awarded Best Presentation.