Sudip Manandhar

As large computational loads continue to pursue rapid interconnection to the bulk power system, utilities must address a new set of operational and reliability challenges that extend beyond traditional load service planning. This presentation provides Southern Company’s perspective on integrating large transmission-connected loads, with a focus on power-electronic load behavior, fast ramping capability, voltage and frequency impacts, and the need for clear expectations before facilities become operational.

Biography:

Sudip Manandhar is the Grid Integration & Stability Manager in System Operations group at Southern Company, one of the largest energy producers in the United States.

With over a decade of experience in the power industry, Sudip leads a team responsible for reliably integrating new generation and large loads to the Southern Company bulk transmission system while maintaining real-time grid stability. Prior to his current role, he was a Protection and Controls (P&C) Engineer, where he focused on relay settings for the transmission and distribution systems, providing relay operations support, analyzing system events, and supporting PRC-004 misoperations reporting to the regional entity.

Sudip is actively involved in industry leadership and standards development. He currently serves as the Vice-Chair of NERC’s Large Load Working Group (LLWG) and is a member of NERC Inverter-Based Resource Performance Subcommittee (IRPS).

He holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the Institute of Engineering in Nepal and a master's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He is also a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Alabama.