Electrical Engineer · Data Science · Electronics

Building
data-driven tools
for energy utilities

Now
Grid Operations Analyst
Studying
MSc Data Science, UOC
Josué Aldana-Aguilar
Drawn by
J. ALDANA
Sheet
01 / 01
Location
SAN SALVADOR
UTC
−06:00
Single-line diagram of a distribution feeder with telemetry The bus energizes the feeder through breaker 52 and recloser 79. A current transformer feeds an IED that reports to an RTU; the RTU sends telemetry to a SCADA panel where the curve crosses a threshold. 52 — AC circuit breaker 79 — Reclosing relay Feeder — distribution transformer CT — Current transformer IED — Intelligent electronic device RTU — Remote terminal unit

What I do

I work in grid operations: SCADA telemetry, network topology and switching decisions on a live distribution system, much of it running on platforms older than my career. I build the tooling that turns that data into something an operator can act on.

Projects & learning

Electrical Engineering

Protection, switching, and the data behind both.

04
  1. EE-01

    Coordination of Protection

    Predicting the most efficient relay setting groups for IEDs from grid topology, SCADA telemetry, and machine learning.

    • SCADA
    • Topology data
    • ML
    • IEDs
  2. EE-02

    Grid Operations

    Designing switching maneuvers by fusing topology, SCADA state, telemetry, and operations history in OpenDSS, with a scoring method that weighs the impact and constraints of each maneuver.

    • OpenDSS
    • ADMS
    • SCADA
    • Python
  3. EE-03

    RF Planning

    A genetic algorithm that places RF concentrators on existing utility poles from GIS data, minimizing tower count while maximizing SCADA coverage of the IED fleet.

    • Genetic algorithms
    • RF coverage
    • GIS
    • SCADA
  4. EE-04

    OpenDSS

    Deepening my command of OpenDSS for distribution modeling, fault studies, and what-if simulation of switching maneuvers.

    • OpenDSS
    • Power flow
    • Python

Data Science

Models, simulation, and the tooling around them.

03
  1. DS-01

    Local LLM-Based Laboratory

    Local LLMs that grant on-demand access to development boards, making hands-on STEAM learning easier to set up.

    • Local LLMs
    • STEAM education
    • Dev boards
  2. DS-02

    High-Altitude Balloon Trajectory Simulations

    Simulating balloon flight through ascent, burst, and descent to plan missions and estimate recovery zones.

    • Trajectory modeling
    • Mission planning
    • Python
  3. DS-03

    Applied AI & ML

    Working through applied machine learning, from MSc coursework to models for grid analytics and protection coordination.

    • ML
    • LLMs
    • Python

Electronics

Hardware for missions, and lab work to keep the hands sharp.

03
  1. EL-01

    High-Altitude Balloon Electronics

    Power system, on-board computer, and payload electronics for a high-altitude balloon mission, built with COTS parts, Li-ion batteries, and Arduino-based TinyML.

    • EPS
    • OBC
    • Li-ion
    • Arduino
    • TinyML
  2. EL-02

    Project-based learning with ZedBoard

    Building projects with ZedBoard using the Vivado suite, with accompanying lab notes and documentation.

    • FPGA
    • APSoC
    • Zynq-7000
  3. EL-03

    IoT Embedded Systems

    Exploring sensors, low-power firmware, and telemetry pipelines on COTS development boards.

    • IoT
    • Embedded C
    • Telemetry

Publications

Conference papers

Peer-reviewed work.

Conference papers by year, with venue and DOI
Title Year Conference DOI
Design and Simulation of a COTS-Based Electrical Power System for High-Altitude Balloon Missions 2025 IEEE CONESCAPAN 2025 10.1109/CONESCAPAN67936.2025.11229727
Effects of Ionization and Volcanic Activity on LoRa Communications in the 915 MHz Band 2025 IEEE CONESCAPAN 2025 10.1109/CONESCAPAN67936.2025.11229787
Eco Buddy: A Novel Robotic Platform for Automatic Waste Classification using Computer Vision and IoT 2025 Annals of Computer Science and Information Systems 10.15439/2024R71
Advancing Electromobility in Central America: An Analysis of Policies and Regulations 2024 IEEE CONCAPAN XLII 10.1109/CONCAPAN63470.2024.10933892
Estimation of Operation Areas and Environmental Parameters for High-Altitude Balloon Missions 2024 IEEE CONCAPAN XLII 10.1109/CONCAPAN63470.2024.10933890
Harnessing Artificial Intelligence in Education: Innovations, Opportunities, and Challenges 2024 IEEE CONCAPAN XLII 10.1109/CONCAPAN63470.2024.10933829
Estimation of Shade Levels in Coffee Cultivation Using Segmentation Methods and Deep Learning 2023 IEEE CONCAPAN XLI 10.1109/CONCAPANXLI59599.2023.10517562
Selección de Antenas UHF para una Misión Near-Space en un HAB y las frecuencias reguladas 2022 IEEE CONESCAPAN 2022 10.1109/CONESCAPAN56456.2022.9959735

Writing

Contact

Open to collaboration

Get in touch

Grid operations, embedded systems, and applied data work.

San Salvador · UTC−6