Stuart MacDonald

Experience

• 

  GEC Alsthom T&D

  Nov 1994 - Mar 1998

  Engineer

  Technical design studies for the Chandrapur Back to Back 1000 MW HVDC link in India. Load flow, network reduction, and dynamic (small and large signal stability) analyses of power systems. Linearized models of HVDC plus controls, and synchronous machine were implemented and validated. Eigenvalue analysis used to verify a sub-synchronous damping control design.

• 

  Siemens Energy

  Mar 1998 - Mar 2004

  Advanced Engineer

  Design, modeling, testing, and commissioning of control systems for high power Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS). High voltage transmission projects – 80 Mvar Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC) in South Korea, two 150 Mvar Static Synchronous Compensators (STATCOM) in Texas, and a 200 Mvar Configurable Static Compensator (CSC) in upstate New York.

• 

  Transpower New Zealand

  May 2004 - now

  System Planning to ensure grid investment that enables a reliable supply of electricity to play its part in Aotearoa economy and electrification objectives through connection of renewable generation. Delivery of timely and accurate asset information to support Asset Management decision making. Strategies and plans for Asset Information Management capability improvement. Power system dynamic modelling and engineering to support the stable long term operation of the power system as a whole. Development of power system analysis capability. Delivery of timely and accurate asset information to support Asset Management decision making. Understanding business requirements for collection of asset information, appropriate classification and storage, and reporting to the end consumer. Development of strategies and plans for Asset Information Management capability improvement. Improved governance, processes, data quality, and tools. Asset Management for Secondary Systems, HVDC, and reactive power assets. Asset fleet strategy development, policies and standards development and capital expenditure portfolio management. Real Time Digital Simulation (RTDS) engineering to support long term operation of NZ’s HVDC link. Updated and validated power system models of the NZ grid. Performed voltage stability planning studies to support grid investment proposals. Provided control system and basic electrical equipment design expertise for HVDC & power electronic projects. Developed wide area monitoring and control systems. Voltage stability grid planning studies. Developed criteria and standards for dynamic voltage stability, and modelled the power system under voltage collapse conditions. Investment proposals for substation reactive power support (SVC, STATCOM, capacitor banks, Reactive Power Controllers). Delivery project support for basic equipment and control system design.

  • System Planning Group Manager

    Sept 2023 - now

  • Asset Information and Power System Dynamics Manager

    Jul 2021 - Sept 2023

  • Asset Information Manager

    Oct 2015 - Jul 2021

  • System Dynamics & Secondary Systems Manager

    Oct 2012 - Sept 2015

  • Power System Analysis Manager

    May 2009 - Sept 2012

  • Senior Transmission Planning Engineer

    May 2004 - Apr 2009