Dr. Ahmed is a power systems engineering professional with 38 years of experience in taking research, power systems and computer controls projects from conception to completion. As a Consulting Engineer / Project Manager on High Voltage Transmission & Substation Research Projects & Low-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Research with Southern California Edison Company (SCE) since 1994, Dr. Ahmed has evaluated and managed several important projects like: US Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) High Temperature Superconductivity Initiative projects, Static Compensator, Inter-utility Phasor Measurement Systems, Remote Motor Analyzer, Distributed Fiber-optic Temperature Monitoring for
Underground Distribution Circuits, and Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) infrastructure development.
He represented SCE’s interests at California Energy Commissions’ PIER program, and also participated in the development of five and ten year research plan for U.S. DOE’s newly formed Office of Electricity Transmission & Distribution (OETD). He equally participated in the development and testing of the first ever High Temperature Superconducting Fault Current Limiter and tested the unit at Norwalk substation. Between 1991 and 1994 at SCE, Dr. Ahmed provided design engineering, consulting and electrical engineering expertise on several generating power station projects that included: prepare auxiliary load- flow study, provide electrical engineering support on boiler replacement project, evaluate grounding analysis software package, perform transformer specifications, prevent the replacement of 7,000 H.P. forced-draft fan by devising tests and proving that it can handle another four inches of back- pressure, saving more than $1 million.
Dr. Ahmed joined Allied-Signal Aerospace Company, Torrance, CA as a Consulting Electrical Engineer/Specialist between 1987 and 1991 where he designed all electrical requirements including power distribution, protection, lighting and sub-stations upgrade. He also optimized existing 70,000- square-foot facility’s power distribution system for a 23-building complex, along with emergency evacuation/response system that resulted in savings of $750,000 per year. Between 1985 and 1987 Dr. Ahmed joined G.W.F. Power Systems Company, Irvine, CA as Power Systems Specialist where he designed substations, switchgear room layout, protective relaying and grid interconnection schemes of eight 20-22 MW cogeneration plants. He equally conducted inspection services on power equipment and electrical construction; resolved construction problems and isolations during city inspections, and directed plant electrical start- up and maintenance activities. His initiative lead to savings on utility demand charges of
$500,000 per year.
Dr. Syed Ahmed has PhD in Power Systems Engineering from University of California, Irvine; and MBA from University of California, Riverside. He presently teaches Power Systems Analysis
& Design at University of California, Irvine. He is also on Technical Advisory Board of several
corporations.