Shahin Fouladi panah

They say that nothing worth doing is easy. Like every one of us, I’ve had my bumps in the road. But if you ask me, I’ll always tell you that I wouldn’t change a thing. Why? Because throughout my journey I’ve honed my skills and proven that my services get results in the real world. So today, you can benefit from my years of experience.

About Me

I was born on May 1st, 1988, in Khalkhal, a small city in the northwest of Iran. Growing up in a family that valued education—my father was a teacher—I developed a love for learning and a strong academic foundation. Throughout school and high school, I consistently excelled, earning top GPAs and securing first rank in the National Electrical Olympiad.

In 2006, I began my academic journey at Tabriz Technical and Vocational College, earning an associate degree in Industrial Electrical with a national rank of 92. During this time, I gained practical skills in electrical machines, electrical panels, welding, and pneumatic systems. My passion for creativity extended to music, and I was honored to join the Azerbaijan Music Ensemble as a Tar player—marking the first significant milestone in my life.

Continuing my education, I pursued a bachelor's degree in Control and Instrumentation Engineering, where I developed expertise in controlling power systems, improving efficiency and stability, and working with software such as PLC, Matlab-Simulink, and C++. This foundation paved the way for my master’s degree, which I began in 2012. While pursuing my graduate studies, I focused on renewable energy, particularly wind power systems, including their integration into electrical grids, the role of power electronics, and the use of FACTS devices and multi-level converters for power optimization.

My research in this field led to participation in multiple conferences, and I proudly published a paper titled “Reactive Power Compensation in Wind Power Plants with Short-Circuits in Power Plant Lines via Three-Level UPFC” with IEEE. Accomplishing this in the face of limited access to resources in Iran demonstrated my perseverance and dedication to advancing knowledge in renewable energy.
In 2023, I was honored to be selected as an Erasmus student at RWTH Aachen University, Germany, where I contributed to the project "Stability Analysis in Converter-Dominated Power Systems." My main responsibility was conducting stability analyses and comparative evaluations in both time and frequency domains, using techniques such as the Nyquist criterion and Bode plots. The project focused on addressing challenges posed by varying grid conditions with renewable energy sources (RES) in converter-connected grids. This work resulted in a co-authored paper, "Methods for Stability Analysis in Converter-Dominated Weak and Strong Power Systems: A Comparative Approach," currently under final review for publication. This experience significantly deepened my technical expertise and reinforced my commitment to advancing power system stability and converter technologies. 

I am currently completing my second MSc at the University of Pavia, where I have focused extensively on power converters. This has allowed me to work on hands-on projects such as the design and analysis of a "DC-DC Buck Converter for CPU Applications," a "DAB DC-DC Converter," and a "Grid-Connected Inverter," which have sharpened my technical skills and expanded my knowledge of advanced converter technologies. My thesis, "A Review of Deep Learning Fault Diagnostic Techniques in Power Converters," explores the application of AI to enhance power converter reliability and performance. In conducting an extensive review of 75 references from leading journals and conferences, with 62% published between 2020 and 2024, I have ensured my research reflects the latest advancements. 
In September 2025, I started my PhD at the University of Vaasa under the supervision of Professor Kimmo Kauhaniemi with the subject: grid code compliance with power hardware in the loop for grid forming inverter in data center application

Professional Experience

1- After completing my master’s degree, I began my career as an electrical engineer, gaining experience in leading organizations such as MTNIrancell (Iran’s largest telecommunication company) and Tourism Bank. In these roles, I worked as a maintenance engineer, supervisor, and manager. My responsibilities included:

Commissioning Diesel Generators: Coordinating teams and solving challenges to ensure optimal performance, even during unconventional hours.

Building Systems Maintenance: Managing electrical and mechanical components of skyscrapers, warehouses, and data centers, such as motors, generators, boilers, chillers, UPS, and LV electrical panels.

Team Leadership: Planning preventive, corrective, and emergency maintenance, reporting key performance metrics like MTBF and MTTR, and fostering team efficiency.

These experiences honed my technical and managerial skills while nurturing my passion for problem-solving and team coordination.
2- I am currently leading technical assignments for the Grid Code Certification by Simulation (GCCS) and AENEAS ( innovAtive ENErgy storage systems on boArd vesselS ) project, collaborating with industrial leaders like Wärtsilä, Fingrid, and Danfoss at the University of Vaasa. My achievements here are:

Compliance Automation: Developing MATLAB/Simulink and PSCAD libraries to automate compliance testing for EN 50549 and Fingrid VJV2024 standards.

Advanced Control: Researching Grid-Forming (GFM) and Grid-Following (GFL) control strategies to ensure microgrid stability under low SCR (weak grid) conditions.

Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL): Conducting high-fidelity PHIL and CHIL testing using OPAL-RT to validate real-world performance of inverters and Energy Storage Systems (ESS). 

Continuous Learning and Current Pursuits

My thirst for knowledge has driven me to continually expand my skill set. I have completed several courses in Python, machine learning, solar energy systems design, and project management. Now, I am pursuing a second master’s degree at the University of Pavia, where my current research focuses on reducing harmonics in wind farms connected to grids using multi-level converters and WBG semiconductors, coupled with HVDC transmission lines.

Alongside my academic endeavors, I am taking an advanced course in project planning and management to further refine my professional skills.

My Vision

With a solid foundation in theory, hands-on experience, and a passion for innovation, I am ready to collaborate with R&D teams to tackle cutting-edge challenges in renewable energy, power electronics, and electrical systems. My GRE score of 333, combined with my strong academic background, professional expertise, and training in teamwork and effective communication, equips me to contribute meaningfully to research and development initiatives.

I am now working as a project researcher in the grid code certification by simulation project at the University of Vaasa, Finland