Statement of Purpose

My affinity with physics and mathematics and my innate fascination for machinery had
impelled me to pursue an undergraduate education in Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
Rather than considering machines as an assemblage of different mechanical parts, I started viewing
them as a medium that allows energy to course through. My avidity for energy generation grew
with time and during my professional career I understood the need to harness it sustainably. During
the undergraduate program at Government Engineering College, Idukki, Kerala, I was especially
intrigued by the study of Power electronics, Electronic circuit theory, Analog electronics, Digital
electronics and Digital signal processing. My B-Tech thesis was on “Stand Alone Induction
Generator for Small Hydro Energy Plants”. Modelling and simulation of a stand-alone induction
generator for small hydro power generation was carried out in the project. After graduation, I
joined for M-Tech in Power electronics and Drives from National Institute of Technology,
Warangal. Where I got a chance to learn more on power electronic devices and its applications.
My M-Tech thesis was on comparison of “Mutual Impedance of Small Ring-type and Square
Type Multi-Winding Induction Heating Appliances”. Mutual inductance of multi-winding
induction heating appliances was compared with ring type and square type coils. It was found that
ring type coils offers lower mutual inductance than square type coils.
After post-graduation, I worked as an assistant professor in Mar Baselios Christian College
of Engineering and Technology, Kuttikkanam, Kerala. Thereafter, seeking further challenges and
research, I joined as research scholar in Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, where I initially
studied solar photovoltaic system design, applications and hydroelectric equipment as course work
subjects. My Ph.D thesis was on Modeling and simulation of SPV system for improved power
output using DC-DC converter. In my thesis work, I addressed three problems. First, an adaptive
particle swarm optimization (APSO) algorithm was proposed to extract the unknown parameters
of single diode model of a PV module. The effectiveness of proposed algorithm has been checked
for varying temperature conditions. The proposed method alleviates singularity problem during
convergence, exhibits faster convergence and it is more accurate than conventional PSO based
parameter extraction method. Then, an improved SEPIC converter topology has been proposed for
MPPT application. Working of modified SEPIC converter has been explained using theoretical
analysis and simulation results. Small signal modeling technique has been used to develop the
transfer function and to carry out stability analysis of the converter. Lastly, an APSO based MPPT
technique for solar power tracking was developed. It is during my stint in IITR that I gained
exposure to the inadequacy of conventional energy supplied to remote villages in India and realized
the need to work on alternative sources of energy to meet the energy demands. After completing
Ph.D, I have done research on distributed generation, micro-grid and Smart Grid and wrote a text
book on “Distributed Generation and Smart Grid”. The book gives an overview of the main
technologies, features and problems of distributed generation, micro-grids and Smart Grids. The
main reason that I decided to write the book is to learn about these new technologies and make
young engineers aware of distributed generation and Smart Grid technology. Because better
understanding of cost-benefit analyses of such initiatives will foster the deployment of distributed
generation and Smart Grid projects. And I wanted to make them aware of the fact that deployment
of distributed generation and development of micro-grids will reduce the emission of greenhouse
gases and carbon particulates, thereby it will reduce issues related to global warming. As
mentioned above I wanted to study about new Smart Grid and micro-grid technologies and
carryout research in that area. I wish to carryout research on micro-grid planning, operation,
protection and control and on Smart Grid, so that I can apply practically what I learned while
writing the book and learn on practical side and thereby took part in next generation grid
revolution. I aspire to be in a position to encourage innovation in terms of sustainable energy
generation, micro-grids, Smart Grid and provide a platform for engineers to build their dreams. I
am confident that the post-doc position is right step towards attaining this dream as it will expose
me to the latest innovations and technologies in the field of micro-grid development and help me
attain greater professional competence. I am especially inspired by the research activities in the
field and would cherish an opportunity to contribute working as a post-doc fellow. I have always
believed that it is our thoughts that create reality and that each is responsible for his destiny. My
pursuits to render my own dreams into actuality had given me the opportunity to collaborate with
people from varied traditional and cultural backgrounds. I have been able to share and learn diverse
cultural values and have learned to appreciate differences. I look forward to associating myself
with people sharing the same passion as mine and I am certain that my interactions with them will
lead to the cultivation of numerous new ideas.