Professional Background

Power Systems Engineering Background

Electric Utility Engineering — 11 Years

Fernando spent more than a decade with a major investor‑owned electric utility, serving in both Substation Engineering and Distribution Power Engineering roles. His work provided a strong foundation in utility‑grade engineering practices, system protection, and standards‑based electrical design.

Substation Engineering

• Designed physical layouts for 70 kV, 115 kV, and 230 kV substations
• Developed detailed schematics, wiring diagrams, and equipment connection drawings
• Prepared specifications for high‑voltage apparatus and protection equipment
• Supported engineering design packages through construction and commissioning

Distribution Power Engineering

• Performed load flow, short‑circuit, protection coordination, and arc flash studies for 12 kV and 21 kV systems
• Supported customer interconnection projects, including protection requirements and relay/LR settings
• Developed capacity expansion projects using system modeling, load forecasts, and equipment loading evaluations
• Engineered voltage and power factor improvement solutions (capacitor banks, regulator upgrades, booster applications)
• Implemented reliability improvement initiatives using outage analysis and targeted engineering solutions

This experience provided extensive exposure to the analytical rigor, operational requirements, and engineering methodologies necessary to design and maintain safe, reliable, and compliant utility power systems.

Industrial Power Systems Engineering — 5+ Years

Fernando also served as a Plant Power Systems Engineer for a large multi‑facility industrial operation, leading electrical safety, reliability, and capital project initiatives across multiple sites.

Electrical Safety & Compliance

• Developed and implemented the company’s first NFPA 70E‑aligned Electrical Safety Program
• Delivered electrical safety training covering hazard identification, risk assessment, PPE, LOTO, and safe work practices
• Created the organization’s first NFPA 70B‑based Electrical Maintenance Program, establishing preventive and predictive maintenance standards

Power System Studies & Analysis

• Performed a facility‑wide arc flash hazard analysis using ETAP, including short‑circuit, load flow, coordination, and incident energy modeling
• Supported accurate arc flash labeling, PPE selection, and risk‑based decision‑making

Substation & Infrastructure Projects

• Served as project engineer and project manager for two high‑voltage substations:
  • 70 kV → 21 kV substation
  • 115 kV → 12 kV substation
• Developed relay settings for distribution feeders (SEL‑351) and transformer differential protection (SEL‑587)
• Supported commissioning, testing, and long‑term operation of both substations
• Managed more than $18 million in electrical capital projects

Reliability, Maintenance & Diagnostics

• Performed infrared thermography as a Level II Certified Thermographer across multiple facilities
• Conducted predictive and preventive maintenance on distribution circuits, substations, and plant equipment
• Performed dissolved gas analysis (DGA) on transformers and voltage regulators
• Maintained an up‑to‑date ETAP system model to support ongoing studies and compliance
• Served as the primary technical liaison with the serving electric utility for transmission supply and metering issues

Impact & Operational Results

Fernando’s engineering work consistently delivered measurable improvements in safety, reliability, and operational performance, including:

• ~75% reduction in prolonged electrical outages through targeted reliability engineering and predictive maintenance
• ~10% reduction in electrical‑related insurance premiums through improved safety practices and documentation
• Supported 40% facility expansion through detailed electrical modeling, capacity planning, and utility coordination
• Prevented equipment failures and operational disruptions by identifying critical issues through infrared inspections and timely corrective actions