Nishantha Chaminda Ekneligoda
**** * ******* ***** 906-***-****
Houghton, Michigan 49931 ********@***.***
Objective: Seeking a engineering position in power electronics & Controls
Education: Michigan Technological University (MTU) Houghton, MI
PhD in Electrical Engineering (GPA: 3.84) expected: Dec, 2011
Research Area: Optimal Distributed Control Methodologies in Power Electronics Interfaced
Micro-Grids
Southern Methodist University (SMU) Dallas, TX
MS Mechanical Engineering (GPA: 3.66) 2008
University of Moratuwa (UOM) Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
BSc Electrical Engineering (GPA:3.71) 2003
Undergraduate Project: Software Controlled Multimode Single Phase Inverter
Research
Experience: PhD Research: Optimal Distributed Control Methodologies in Small Scale Power System
MTU Advisor: Dr. Wayne W Weaver August 2008 Present
Objective: Modeling and developing optimal distributed controllers in power electronic
interfaced micro-grids
Developed distributed controllers for power electronic converters, operated in the micro -
grid at startup transients
The modeling was made with methods in game theory and optimum system control
Developed control systems was compared with existing methods
Modeled the bus selection and optimal team communication structures in micro grids using
game theoretic approach
Built a laboratory hardware setup to validate the proposed methodologies
Department of Electrical Engineering (UOM) Sri Lanka
Research Scholar 2004-2005
Analyzed solar and micro hydro power generation systems
Created strategies and methodologies for acceleration of rural electrification
Relevant Graduate
Courses / Labs: Advanced Electric Machines & Drives Power Electronics & Lab
Computer Model of Power System Advanced Methods in Power Systems
Optimum Systems Control Linear Systems Analysis
Nonlinear Control Transient Analysis Method
Wind Power Mathematical Modeling
Numerical Optimization Operational Research Models
Topics in Digital Signal Processing Vibrations
Graduate Level
Projects: FOC based Induction machine control, VSC in distributed generation, Buck boost converter,
DFIG turbines effect on power quality, Sensitivity and transient analysis on grounding models,
Transient study in compensated transmission line, Nonlinear control methods for wind turbine,
vehicle suspension system, Farm management case study
Internship
Experience: Ceylon Electricity Board Sri Lanka
Trainee, Electrical Engineer May 2002 – Oct. 2002
Worked in the controlling section of a grid connected power plant
Worked in the power system maintenance and motor control branch
Was a team member of an energy auditing group
Computer
Skills: MATLAB\Simulink, Mathematica, ATP, Aspen, dSPACE Control Systems Design, MS Office
Teaching
Experience: Teaching Assistant, Department of Mechanical Engineering (SMU) January 2007 - May 2008
Lecturer, Department of Electrical Engineering (UOM) June 2005 – December 2006
Awards: IEEE IAS-PELS travel grant for ECCE 2011
Engineering Research Assistantship in Electrical Engineering, MTU, Houghton, MI
Engineering Teaching Assistantship and Tuition Fellowship in Mechanical Engineering, (SMU)
Third place, Undergraduate project, 2003
Workshops: Participant of the Doble Engineering Professional Development Workshop “Relay Testing for
Power System protection Engineers”, Held at MTU.
Presentations /
Publications: N.C. Ekneligoda and W.W. Weaver, “Optimal Transient Control of Micro-Grids Using a Game
Theoretic Approach," in Proc., IEEE Energy Conversion Congress & Exposition, 2011: Accepted
N.C. Ekneligoda and W.W. Weaver, “Game Theoretic Bus Selection in Power Systems," in Proc.,
IEEE Energy Conversion Congress & Exposition, 2011: Accepted
N.C. Ekneligoda and W.W. Weaver, “Optimal Team Communication Structures in Micro -Grids,"
in Proc., IEEE Energy Conversion Congress & Exposition, 2011: Accepted