When Theory Meets Island Reality: Grid Modernization Lessons from Remote Systems
Discover grid modernization lessons from remote island systems. As part of the IEEE ISGT Latin America 2025 Congress, we invite you to this unmissable webinar where we will explore how theory meets reality in isolated electrical systems, and the innovative strategies to face the challenges of modern energy transformation.
In this talk, Pavanchandra Mandava, Principal Engineer at NextEra Energy with over a decade of experience in global power systems, will present the main challenges facing the legacy electrical grid amid the exponential growth of energy demand —particularly from data centers— alongside the imperative transition toward decarbonization. Topics will include large-scale integration of critical loads, seamless renewable energy interconnections, deployment of new transmission infrastructure, and the development of more agile, resilient, and intelligent systems capable of managing the dynamics of a highly distributed and variable energy landscape.
His technical expertise spans from substation design, protection & controls, to renewable energy integration, energy market operations, microgrids, data centers, and distributed energy resources (DERs). This webinar is an excellent opportunity for professionals, academics, and decision-makers interested in learning coordinated systems-level approaches to project planning and execution that encompass technical, regulatory, and financial dimensions, especially relevant for geographically isolated power systems where reliability and resilience are paramount.
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- Starts 23 August 2025 05:00 AM UTC
- Ends 04 September 2025 09:00 PM UTC
- No Admission Charge
Speakers
Pavanchandra Mandava
When Theory Meets Island Reality: Grid Modernization Lessons from Remote Systems
In this talk, Pavanchandra Mandava will present the main technical challenges facing modern power grids —such as exponential energy demand growth from data centers and the complexity of integrating variable renewable energy sources— and the solutions that have been successfully implemented in recent years. Topics will include the evolution of substation design and protection systems, the use of advanced protective relaying schemes, the application of microgrid technologies and distributed energy resources (DERs), and the innovative approach of intelligent grid systems, which allows for dynamic management of highly distributed and variable energy landscapes according to real-time grid conditions.
Biography:
Pavanchandra Mandava is a seasoned energy and power systems professional with a global project portfolio, he brings over a decade of experience spanning power systems consulting, electric utilities, industrial and commercial facilities, and data centers. His technical expertise encompasses substation design, protection & controls, protective relaying, renewable energy integration, energy market operations, microgrids, data centers, and distributed energy resources (DERs). He has collaborated extensively with utilities, renewable energy developers, and large-scale industrial and commercial clients—including mission-critical data center operations—supporting complex grid modernization and clean energy transition initiatives. He holds a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Arizona State University and currently serves as a Principal Engineer at NextEra Energy, USA