Muhammad Aaiz Chughtai

A) More than 5+ years experience of power system studies including load flow, short circuit, stability and power quality studies for development of transmission expansion plans, generator interconnection schemes and in-depth analysis of electric power systems.

B) Transmission planning studies for future development projects including;

i. Preparation of short, medium and long term transmission expansion plans.

ii. Proposing new substations and transmission lines as well as transformer augmentations and extension at substations.

iii. Interconnection schemes for power dispersal of new plants, i.e. thermal (CC, steam, GT, diesel, coal), nuclear, hydro, wind, solar and biomass.

iv. Interconnection with neighbouring countries/utilities.

v. Voltage control and reactive power compensation.

vi. Enhancement in power system stability using Power System Stabilizers, SVC, STATCOM & TCSC etc.

C) Operational studies to study/analyze existing system problems including:

i. Solutions and recommendations to remove transmission system bottlenecks.

ii. Tripping analysis and development of cross-trip schemes to save widespread system collapse.

iii. Voltage control and reactive power management.

iv. Evaluation and optimization of transmission system losses.

D) Technical discussions and negotiations with international donor agencies, regulators, consultants, EPC contractors and government departments regarding system studies and technical justifications of future transmission projects.

E) Evaluation and vetting of feasibility studies for HVAC and HVDC transmission line projects, submitted by consultants.

F) Preparation and review of national power system expansion plans for next 20-25 years.

G) Evaluation of proposals from International consultants pertaining to network capacity enhancements using PSS & FACTS and integrating intermittent renewable energy into national grid.

H) Preparation of Grid Code 2023 for Power Sector of Pakistan.

I) Preparation of Indicative Generation Capacity Expansion Plan (IGCEP) and Transmission System Expansion Plan (TSEP) for national grid of Pakistan.

Assistant Manager (Transmission Planning)

National Grid of Pakistan (NGCP) (Formerly NTDC)

2023-Present

 Currently part of the STATCOM Study Team (ISMO/NGC) with World Bank coordination, contributing to the Technical

Study on Reactive Power Compensation and Voltage Support for Pakistan’s Grid. Work includes static/dynamic simulations, P–V analysis, and optimization of ±400–800 MVAr STATCOMs at key substations, evaluation of Syncons and series compensation impacts (MMR project), and solarization modeling for Lahore. Also involved in studies on inter-area oscillations, PSS tuning, and ancillary damping features in STATCOMs, ensuring compliance with Grid Code

2023 stability criteria.

 Conducted load flow and short circuit calculations, dynamic (RMS) simulation, power quality and system monitoring,

EMT simulation for transients, EMT simulation for control interaction studies and automation scripting of 132 kV,

220 kV, 400 kV, and 500 kV power systems using advanced analytical tools such as PSS/E, PSCAD, ETAP, Powerworld

Simulator, and Python.

 Carrying out system studies on PSS/E and Dig SILENT Power Factory software to plan transmission interconnection schemes for upcoming power plants i.e., small, medium & large sized power projects of all kind of technologies

(thermal, hydel, nuclear, wind, solar, co-generation).

 Perform various power system studies including short circuit, grid interconnection, transmission enhancement, and reactive power management to ensure system reliability and operational feasibility. This includes proposing mitigation solutions for switch gear fault levels, conducting load sanctioning studies for private consumers, reviewing grid interconnection studies for power plants of different technologies, and analyzing PV/P Q and transfer limit for proposing remedial measures.

 Develop comprehensive base cases for future spot years, meticulously considering peak and off-peak load scenarios during both winter and summer seasons. These base cases serve as vital references for consultants, enhancing the precision of power system planning and transmission management.

 Grid Code Compliance Studies for Conventional Power Plants, Renewables (PV &Wind), Energy Storage (BESS),

Hybrid Plants, HVDC & FACTS. Conduct thorough transient and small signal stability studies to ensure the reliability of power system operations under various disturbances.

 Evaluate and approve grid studies related to various power plant technologies, covering the entire grid infrastructure,

including the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) and Distribution Companies (DISCOs).

 Prepare long-term transmission system expansion plans (TSEP) as part of Integrated System Plan (ISP) and perform load flow, short-circuit, transient stability, and reactive power compensation studies as per NEPRA Reliability

Standards.

 Participate in meetings with diverse stakeholders in the Pakistani power sector, focusing on NTDC transmission planning and Energy Purchase Agreement (EPA) particularly focusing on technical schedules.

 Performed Electromagnetic Transient (EMTP) studies on PSCAD to determine optimal shunt reactor sizes for the

765kV Dasu HPP – Mansehra and Mansehra - Islamabad West lines, and selected switchgear ratings and transformer impedances for Islamabad West and Mansehra substations. Additionally, I performed load flow and stability studies for the 500kV line at Thar using PSS/E and Dig SILENT Power Factory to evaluate power evacuation for the SECL Coal

Fired Power Project.

 Performed system studies for the PC-1 project, providing electricity to SE Z s via 500kV and 220kV substations for

FIEDMC, Swabi, and Sundar Industrial Z ones. Further, I conducted load flow and dynamic studies to assess IPP retirement needs, performed switching studies for 500kV lines from Guddu to Muzaffargarh,

 Conducted Grid Interconnection Studies using PSS/E and DigSILENT Power Factory, analyzing Load Flow, Short

Circuit, and Stability for projects like K -2/ K -3, Tarbela 4th and 5th HPP, SSRL Coal Plant, Balloki RLNG Plant, Quaid e-Azam Solar Project, and Jhimpir Wind Farms in the South. Each study included a detailed report with stability recommendations.

 Jamshoro to Hubco CFPP, and Port Qasim CFPP to Matiari, evaluated the upgrade requirements of 500kV switchyard equipment for Tarbela HPPs, and determined SVC ratings for the 220/132kV Quetta Industrial substation.