Shubhanker Garg, stands as a testament to persistence, innovation, and technical expertise in the field of electrical engineering. His journey from an ambitious student to a leader in renewable energy and high-voltage substation design exemplifies a professional trajectory marked by groundbreaking contributions to the electric power industry. Through his technical leadership and passion for renewable energy, Shubhanker has played a crucial role in shaping the infrastructure that powers the future.
Early Foundations: Education at Premier Institutions
Shubhanker’s educational journey began at the prestigious Delhi College of Engineering (now known as Delhi Technological University), one of the top engineering institutions in India. There, he earned a Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) in Electrical Engineering, a degree that laid the groundwork for his career in high-voltage electrical systems. A key aspect of Shubhanker’s education was the exposure to both academic rigor and practical engineering experience via industry internships.
Later, Shubhanker pursued higher education at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), where he completed his Master of Science (M.S.) in Electrical Engineering. There, he completed an advanced study on the interconnection requirements for new electricity generation within the ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas) region. This deep dive into the intricacies of one of the largest and most complex electrical grids in the world prepared him for a career at the cutting edge of renewable energy integration and grid modernization.
Career: High-Voltage Transformer and Substation Design
After earning his Bachelor’s degree, Shubhanker took his first professional steps as an electrical engineer designing high-voltage power transformers. Power transformers are critical components of electrical substations, transferring electricity between different electrical circuits and ensuring the proper voltage levels for safe distribution to consumers. His experience in transformer design not only provided him with technical expertise but also instilled a keen understanding of the complex interplay between different electrical components in large-scale systems.
Building on this professional experience, Shubhanker’s transition into high-voltage substation design then positioned him as a leader in renewable energy integration. Substations serve as the backbone of the electrical grid by connecting different parts of the grid, transferring generated electricity into the larger electrical network, and contain protection systems to safeguard grid infrastructure against electrical faults. This helps prevent damage to equipment and reduces the risk of outages. This is especially important in renewable energy projects, where the generated electricity must be seamlessly integrated into the grid without compromising safety or reliability. Shubhanker’s designs have integrated large-scale renewable energy projects into the grid, ensuring that energy generated from wind and solar sources is transmitted efficiently and safely to consumers.
Shubhanker’s professional experience spans across several leading engineering firms, with him playing critical roles at each organization and transitioning up the career ladder seamlessly. He has taken on greater leadership responsibilities overseeing a team of engineers while leading the design of high-voltage substations for both electric utility and renewable energy projects. His accolades include development of proprietary substation protection and control standards, implementing novel approaches to protective coordination, and developing automation tools for relay settings calculations thus improving the accuracy and efficiency of the substation design processes. His innovative work has optimized the way protection systems are coordinated, ensuring faster response times to clear electrical faults and minimizing the risk of cascading failures across the electrical grid.
Shubhanker is playing a crucial role leading his employer into becoming a leader in substation design for renewable energy projects, further solidifying his reputation as a pioneer in this field. Additionally, he has developed novel schemes and design standards for Clients that have significantly improved reliability of renewable substation designs, so much so that they are being implemented by other engineering firms on their substation designs.
Contributions to the IEEE: Shaping Global Standards
One of the hallmarks of Shubhanker’s career is his active participation in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Standards Association, where he has made significant contributions to the development of industry standards. As a Senior Member of IEEE, Shubhanker has reviewed, commented, and voted on numerous IEEE draft standards, out of which several have been published. His work ensures that electrical engineers worldwide follow best practices that promote safety, efficiency, and reliability in electrical power systems.
A notable achievement is Shubhanker’s contribution to the publication of IEEE 3001.9-2023, a standard that focuses on power systems design for lighting systems in industrial and commercial facilities. His technical expertise and original contributions were instrumental in shaping this standard. Shubhanker’s work on IEEE 3001.9-2023 will help engineers design safer and more efficient power systems for lighting in industrial and commercial facilities, thus benefiting industries worldwide.
Shubhanker has also reviewed and commented on a myriad of IEEE conference papers, and is an active member of multiple IEEE Standards Association’s working groups. His contributions to these working groups help ensure that the latest technological advancements and best practices are reflected in global engineering standards.
Achieving Professional Licensure: A Mark of Excellence
In addition to his technical achievements, Shubhanker holds the distinction of being a Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the states of Texas and Ohio. Obtaining P.E. Licensure is a significant milestone in any engineer’s career, as it demonstrates both technical competence and a commitment to ethical standards. Licensed engineers are authorized to offer engineering services to the public and are held to the highest standards of practice.
Shubhanker’s P.E. license in two states highlights his ability to work on complex, multi-state projects while ensuring compliance with regional regulatory requirements. It also underscores his commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism in his work.
Conclusion: A Visionary Engineer Leading the Future of Energy
Shubhanker’s commercially operational substation designs already inject 1.25 gigawatt (GW) of renewable energy into the U.S. electrical grid, while those designs currently pending construction would inject an additional 1.865 gigawatt (GW) of renewable energy – a cumulative equivalent of providing electricity to 2.6 million U.S. households combined, and this figure continues to increase under Shubhanker’s stewardship. He continues to be at the forefront of substation designs for renewable energy projects with innovation and excellence, and helping shape the future of sustainable energy. He has built a career defined by technical precision, mentoring, and a relentless commitment to advancing the field of electrical engineering.
As the world continues to transition to renewable energy sources for electricity generation, Shubhanker’s leadership will play a crucial role in ensuring that this transition is smooth, reliable, and safe. From his early work designing power transformers to his current role leading substation design for renewable energy projects, he continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in the energy sector. Shubhanker Garg is not just an engineer – he is a visionary who is helping power the future.