Graduate / Neural Network and Smart Grid, The future of Energy [7]

"With a set of interconnected nodes and branches with changeable weights and a learning algorithm, you can design an intelligent self-learning system" said my lecturer in Artificial Neural Network (ANN). That statement made me introspect myself. After three years into electrical engineering, I felt like I found my goal for life, research based on ANN and intelligent systems. I signed up for the course on ANN and as the course progressed, I explored more on the applications of the Neural Networks and Intelligent Systems which encouraged me to work much sincerely towards my objectives. At the end of the semester, I was able to write a paper on Face recognition, which was my first publication in college journal. And, today I know where I am headed.

In college, Engineering Mathematics became my major interest. I was intrigued to find out how major engineering problems use mathematical models and techniques to reach to solution. I enjoyed using mathematics to solve engineering problems. During the 3rd semester, I worked on a project on Artificial Tank Game using C++. I devised two-dimensional model for position detection of the tank and the algorithm worked well for intelligent operation of tank. While on 5th semester I worked on a project of "Innovation Lab" to develop an autonomous chess playing robot using Microbot Teachmover. The challenge was to make the robot fetch the chess pieces accurately. This time I approached the problem based on Polar co-ordinate system and 2-D Cartesian co-ordinate system and the model devised enabled the robot to pick the chess pieces accurately. These experiences helped me learn how mathematical approach to problems is essential to design an intelligent system.

Even with the involvement in various projects and activities, I maintained required grades in the class and such activities proved fruitful when I was offered to work on the UGC funded research project as my final year project under the supervision of Prof. Indraman Tamrakar. In this project, we designed new form of Electronic Load Controller (ELC) and mathematically analyzed the proposed form of ELC with previous forms. I learned more about the power electronics, power system, renewable energy sources, micro grid and control system while working on this project, I realized that I could merge my knowledge in power and control system with my newly found interest in Neural Network and carry on further research on intelligent control and operation of Power System. I am currently working as a research assistant on this project and my interest & knowledge on research activities has only strengthened more. More importantly, my skills on MATLAB Simulation and programming, presenting one's ideas through papers and presentations has increased during this project, which will be valuable tools for my success in graduate studies.

I believe experience during the college days on various projects and as research assistant on the ELC project equipped me with fundamental qualities required to be a researcher. While working individually, I learnt the challenges associated with time management & requirement of having to complete all task on my own, whereas working as part of team has made me realize importance of team, work division and co-operation. Such experiences have equipped me with both individual research skill and team skill. My three years tenure as class representative has provided me proper skills to communicate with people and my experience as chief editor in Departmental Journal, "E-novation" provided me a valuable skill to analyze papers and convey ideas in written form. All these experiences have shaped up my personality and provided me with invaluable tools required for graduate studies.

The power system of the world is rapidly changing. The developed nations are now switching to renewable energy sources but, the developing nations are facing energy crisis because of ever increasing energy demand. This change has brought new challenges and possibilities along with it and we need to come up with honest and intelligent solutions to these new challenges to maximize their benefits. With this goal, I am planning to research on the novel and emerging concept, 'Smart Grid' that can be applied to power systems for their intelligent, reliable and eco-friendly operation. With just an undergraduate degree, few undergrad level projects and a single research experience, I personally feel I cannot be a better scholar and an independent motivated researcher I aspire to be. So, I want to pursue graduate degree leading to Ph.D in order to dedicate myself to research activities and develop myself as a competitive full-fledged research professional to address the upcoming challenges in the power systems.

The Neural Network and Pattern Recognition Laboratory at University of California Riverside provides the best opportunity to research in Neural Networks and their application in smart operation of Power Grid. The ongoing research on Smart Power Grid and Demand Side Load Management under the guidance of Assistant Professor Hamed Mohsenian-Rad coheres to my research interests. His areas of work are of great interest to me and I believe that I can prove to be an effective and reliable team member in carrying out cutting edge research in this domain. Using the knowledge available from the work done in the lab so far I am sure that I can contribute to the activities that will be carried out in the Lab during and after my tenure as research assistant.