JOHN KENNETH ALMAR CARANDANG

Operational Assessment and System Studies

• Lead comprehensive simulation studies to identify and resolve grid constraints, develop protection schemes, and establish operational guidelines for system dispatchers.
• Conduct research on emerging technologies, including HVDC systems, EMTP switching transients, and undervoltage load shedding, contributing to innovation in grid operations.

Generator Grid Compliance Testing

• Lead compliance testing initiatives for Variable Renewable Energy (VRE) like Solar, Wind and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and emerging technologies like STATCOM/SVGs and Grid Forming Technolgies.
• Ensure adherence to grid standards and operational reliability through rigorous validation and performance assessment.
• Manages the Grid Compliance Tests (GCT) of new/existing generating power plants to conform with the requirements of the Philippine Grid Code.

System Impact Study (SIS) Review

• Evaluate Operational Assessments in SIS reports to determine the impact of proposed customer network projects on grid reliability and the systems of other users.
• Ensure alignment with operational standards and grid code requirements.

System Modeling & Model Management

• Maintain and update the Luzon Grid Model, ensuring accuracy and consistency across operational scenarios.
• Validate and integrate models from Planning and Engineering into the operational basecase using advanced simulation tools such as PSS®E, ASPEN, PSCAD, and MATLAB.

SIPS Operation Analysis

• Perform in-depth analysis of System Integrity Protection Scheme (SIPS) operations through detailed assessment reports.
• Ensure the reliability and security of installed schemes across the Luzon Grid.

Grid Security Guidelines

• Develop and review operational guidelines related to grid security to support real-time decision-making by dispatchers or real time system operators.
• Mitigate the impact of system disturbances, including SIPS activations and fault level issues, through proactive planning and documentation.
• Prepares contingency plans during holidays and special events to ensure continuous and smooth operation of the Grid

Regulatory Representation

• Represent Luzon System Operations in regulatory workshops and technical forums organized by Regulatory and Reliability Affairs (RRA).
• Advocate for compliance with the Philippine Grid Code, ERC resolutions, and other statutory standards in generator and load customer connections.

AOR: South Luzon Operations and Maintenance (SLOM)-NGCP

•Responsible for scheduling and monitoring of GOMP and Sub Transmission Line maintenance shutdown and non shutdown activities and prepares Planned Activity Notice (PAN) using TLDIS .

• Facilitate and monitor outages reclassification with our area of responsibility. Coordinates with concerned groups to establish/ ascertain readiness in the implementation of scheduled works, vis-a-vis, SO-approved schedule.

• Closely coordinates with the other concerned units to synchronize/harmonize the implementation of maintenance and/or project activities.

• Monitors the availability of tools, equipment, materials and other resources needed for the maintenance transmission lines and substation equipment.

• For planned activities involving power interruption, communicates with Field personnel on the progress of work which are relayed to, as agreed with Load customers (Distribution Utilities, Directly-connected Industrial Customers, among others)

• Introduced the used of Data Analytics and created various dashboard for regional operational statistics, Outages of Transmission Facilities, Transco Audit compliances,Projects implementation (HVE, Secondary, TL & Infrastructures Projects) through “MS Power BI” application which significantly enhanced the decisionmaking of the SLOM Management and hasten the implementation of the necessary action,which also regularly shares to other O&M offices outside the region
• Monitors the measured parameters of online diagnostic devices installed in various power transformers that determine the operating condition of the most valuable asset in the substation.
• Perform duty at the South Luzon Regional Command Center during O&M contingencies in time of emergencies, like typhoons, heavy rains & flooding and National Events like State Visit of foreign Presidents, Popes, APEC Meeting, National and Local Election, among others.

• Supervision/monitoring and inspection of projects for construction/rehabilitation/upgrading of Transmission Lines and Substation facilities; makes decision on construction issues in compliance with plans and specification and implementation schedules that are within the protocol of the Contractor's scope of work.
• Ensures smooth implementation and quality of workmanship of the project; ensures compliance with IMS and Safety Standard at the project site; prepares accomplishment reports, site inspection reports and other reports relative to the assigned project.
• Prepares economic Engineering Design such as Development Plans and Conceptual Designs for Substations and Transmission Lines structures and facilities and other related Infrastructure Projects; Prepares the Designs, Plans, Specifications, Cost Estimates, Schedules and other documents for the proposed Infrastructure Projects.
• Reviewed monthly operations to assess compliance with budgets and determine necessary adjustments for future plans.
• Evaluated procurement needs and projected expenditures.

• Served as lead project engineer during construction and installation of solar panels and commissioning of the said power plant.
• Set work schedules, coordinated site facilities and monitored progress.
• Visited construction sites daily to evaluate work quality.

• Responsible for the preparation of Bid Documents which includes preparation of plans/drawings, detailed engineering cost estimate and also for assisting in the monitoring of O&M Projects.
• Inspected project sites to monitor progress and adherence to design specifications, safety protocols and local/international standards.