APOORVA NANDAKUMAR

® https://www.linkedin.com/in/apoorva-nandakumar-2709/ aqn5335@psu.edu
State College, PA-16803 Ó (814)-862-8305

Results-oriented individual, currently pursuing graduate studies in the Department of Electrical Engineering with a
background in performing scientific research in the field of control systems, power electronics and power systems,
specific focus on data driven modeling and control of microgrid systems

EDUCATION
Pennsylvania State University, University Park Aug. 2019 - May. 2024
PhD, Electrical Engineering CGPA - 3.81 / 4.00
Pennsylvania State University, University Park Aug. 2019 - Dec. 2021
Master of Science (MS), Electrical Engineering CGPA - 3.81 / 4.00
National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli Aug. 2015 - May. 2019
Bachelor of Technology (BTech), Instrumentation and Control Engineering CGPA - 8.70 / 10.00

TECHNICAL SKILLS AND RELEVANT COURSES

Software and Programming Skills: MATLAB/ Simulink, Python, PLECS, C++, Multisim, Labview, PSpice, PSCAD,
OpenDSS, KiCAD, Texas Instruments DSP Programming (Code Composer Studio), Latex, Microsoft Office
Hardware Skills: RTDS (Real Time Digital Simulator), PCB Design, Soldering, Microcontrollers, C2000 Launchpad
TMS320F28379xD, DC-DC Converters, Inverters, NI MyDAQ, Function Generators and Oscilloscope
Relevant Courses: Power System Dynamics, Stability and Control, Power Electronics, Industrial Applications and
Advanced Topics in Power Electronics, Linear Control Theory, Non-linear Control, Robust Control, Optimal Control,
Process Control, Logic and Distributed Control, Analog Electronics, Microprocessors and Microcontrollers

RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS
N. D., A. Nandakumar, A. Sampath and D. K., ”Fuzzy based active stiffness control of a synergistically compliant
variable stiffness shape memory actuator,” 2019 IEEE 5th International Conference for Convergence in Technology
(I2CT), 2019, pp. 1-5, doi:10.1109/I2CT45611.2019.9033710.
PAPERS UNDER REVIEW AND IN-PROGRESS
Apoorva Nandakumar, Yan Li, Dongbo Zhao, Yichen Zhang, and Tianqi Hong, ”Sparse Identification Enabled Data
Driven Modeling for Nonlinear Dynamics of Microgrids”, IEEE General Meeting, 2022, accepted
Apoorva Nandakumar, Yan Li, Dongbo Zhao, Yichen Zhang, and Tianqi Hong, ”Data Driven Transient Dynamics
Modeling and Prediction”, IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, 2022, in preparation

MS PAPER PRESENTATION
Apoorva Nandakumar, ”New Logic form equation based Active Capacitor Voltage Balancing Method for asymmetrical
five-level Flying Capacitor Multilevel Inverters”, accepted by the MS committee for fulfillment of degree requirements

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Resarch Assistant, Renewable Energy and Microgrid Power Lab, Penn State University Aug. 2021 - Present
Advisor - Dr. Yan Li
- Working on development of a model predictive control for a complex microgrid structure using sparse identification
techniques with real time control.
- Developed a data driven model for identification of the non-linear dynamics of microgrids with constant power load
using Sparse Identification of Non-linear Dynamics method.
Resarch Assistant, Power Electronics Lab, Penn State University Aug. 2019 - Jun. 2021
Advisor - Dr. Arash Khoshkbar Sadigh
- Developed logic form equation based active voltage control for five level unbalanced flying capacitor multilevel
inverter and verified the output using the switching model designed in MATLAB.
 - A closed form equation to analytically calculate the LC filter inductance for single phase (two-phase, three-phase
and four-phase) interleaved inverter was developed and verified with MATLAB and PLECS simulations.
Undergraduate Resarch Assistant, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay May. 2018 - Jul. 2018
- Worked under Dr. B. Bandhyopadhyay in the Department of Systems and Control Engineering on implementa-
tion and comparison of super-twisting sliding mode controller and conventional sliding mode controller for a MIMO
system. Designed a super-twisting controller algorithm for higher order integrator systems.

PROJECTS
Stability Analysis of a Single Machine Infinite Bus Power System with Excitation Control
Simulated the model of a generating station with different excitation controls (Manual Control, AVR, AVR and PSS)
and examined the small signal stability and transient stability of the system under a three-phase fault condition. The
results for the transient stability were computed using 4th order RK method and Trapezoidal method.

Dynamic Modeling and Analysis of IEEE 9-Bus Power System

Simulation model of a 9-bus power system was developed in MATLAB. The model included internal generator pa-
rameter computation and load flow analysis. Method II numerical integration technique was employed to evaluate the
transient stability due to a three-phase fault.

Three Phase Inverter Design

Developed simulation model for three-phase inverter on PLECS software. The code for pulse width modulation
signal generation for unipolar and bipolar switching was designed using DSP programming on C2000 Launchpad
TMS320F28379xD. Wide bandgap device (GaN MOSFETs) were used in the inverter module implemented on a Alu-
minum PCB to achieve a high power density of 11kW. A new EZ-gate driver model was implemented in the inverter.

Design and Control of Boost Converter

Design of printed circuit board board for a boost converter in CCM using gate driver IC LM3478 (for closed loop
control) and current sensing IC ADM4073. The prototype of the boost board was soldered and the performance of a
boost converter for various test cases were verified with the theoretical results obtained.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Teaching Assistant, Department of Electrical Engineering, Penn State University
EE413 - Power Electronics Aug. 2021 - Dec. 2021
EE330 - Engineering Electromagnetics Aug. 2021 - Dec. 2021
EE310 - Electronic Circuit Design Lab Jan 2020 - Present
Responsibilities include aiding the students during the lab, hold office hours and recitation hours for clarification in
the course materials and handle all back channel coordination required for the course.
Grading Assistant, Department of Electrical Engineering, Penn State University
EE470 - Fundamentals of Remote Sensing Aug. 2019 - Dec. 2019
Act as the first point of contact for students in case of any queries regarding coursework or assignments. Evaluating
assignments and examination papers of undergraduate students.

POSITION OF RESPONSIBILITY
Vice President, Indian Graduate Student Association, Penn State Chapter May. 2020 - Present
Responsible for providing the incoming Indian graduate students and scholars the know-how of navigating graduate/
professional life in State College, Pennsylvania

Virtual Mentor, Upward Bound Programs, Penn State University May. 2021 - Aug. 2021
Responsible for providing guidance on education, career and conduct various social engagement activities for high
school students involved with upward bound (Penn State Chapter)

Pragyan (Techno-managerial event of National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli)

Internal Auditor, Team Quality Assurance Mar. 2017 - Mar. 2019
Responsible for obtaining the ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management System), ISO 20121:2012 (Event Sustainability
Management System) and UNESCO patronage for the organization