Agentic and Generative AI for Power System Application
HORTNEL JOHNSON
Electrical Power System Professional
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9
Summary
Electrical Power System Professional with extensive experience in power system planning, protection and control, fault disturbance analysis, reliability studies, and substation design operations and maintenance. Experienced in applying analytical tools across multiple relays and software vendors to assess system performance, investigate system events, and improve operational reliability. Brings a practical, systems-level approach grounded in hands-on engineering experience and real-world utility environments, including projects supporting grid modernization and renewable energy integration.
Completed specialized training in Generative AI for Digital Transformation (MIT), focused on applying data-driven methods to system optimization, asset management, and engineering decision support. Integrates established power engineering practices with emerging digital tools to support more reliable, efficient, and adaptable electrical infrastructure.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
15
15
Certificates
2
2
Languages
Education
Professional Science Master's - Electrical Power Engineering
05.2019
- Core studies: Electrical Power System Analysis, High Voltage Systems, Power System Economics, and Electricity Markets
- Electives: Technical Decision Analysis, Managerial Accounting, Resourceful Leadership Principles
Bachelor's Degree - Electrical Power Engineering
07.2006
Advanced knowledge in science, technology, and mathematics applied to electrical energy system design and operation
Work History
Director of Engineering & Planning
Pelican Energy
12.2023 - Current
- Executive technical leader directing design, deployment, and operational management of complex electrical systems with explicit focus on improving system reliability, preventing operational failures, and advancing sustainable energy infrastructure. Direct engineering and technical staff. Maintain hands-on technical oversight of critical system design decisions, testing protocols, and validation procedures.
- Reliability Engineering & Risk Mitigation:
- Direct design and deployment of redundant electrical systems and safety architectures, eliminating single points of failure; preventing cascading system failures
- Lead systematic root cause analysis framework, ensuring every major failure drives a design improvement, preventing recurrence
- Champion renewable energy system integration initiatives; provide technical leadership on sustainable electrical infrastructure modernization
- Design, Testing & Performance:
- Direct full-lifecycle electrical system development (design, procurement, manufacturing, field installation, testing, validation) emphasizing long-term reliability
- Provide technical oversight of complex electrical designs; ensure compliance with international electrical codes and safety standards
- Oversee comprehensive testing protocols and validation procedures; implement ANSI/NETA standards, ensuring reliability in field conditions
Manager, Engineering & Substation Operation
Fortis
05.2018 - 12.2023
- Directed engineering operations and technical teams managing design, installation, testing, and operational management of complex medium voltage electrical systems with a focus on achieving operational reliability, preventing system failures, and integrating sustainable energy technologies. Led a major electrical system modernization program, improving system reliability by 54% while facilitating sustainable technology adoption and renewable energy integration.
- System Reliability & Risk Mitigation:
- Led design and deployment of 2,000+ medium voltage protection and control devices implementing redundant safety architectures; prevented estimated $10M+ in potential system failures
- Architected enterprise electrical system redesign incorporating advanced control logic and system-level reliability optimization; reduced unplanned downtime and extended equipment lifespan 40%
- Personally conducted root cause analysis on 30+ major system failures; identified design vulnerabilities and implemented preventive corrective measures
- Established systematic failure analysis and lessons-learned database, enabling predictive identification of reliability risks; prevented recurring failures across the entire system
- Sustainable Infrastructure & Green Energy Leadership:
- Championed integration of renewable energy systems and sustainable electrical technologies; successfully deployed 58+ MW renewable capacity while maintaining system reliability
- Implemented energy-efficient electrical design standards; reduced operational energy consumption while improving performance metrics
- Developed lifecycle environmental performance assessment methodology, ensuring long-term sustainability of infrastructure projects
- Established green procurement standards for electrical equipment; prioritized sustainable materials and energy-efficient technologies
- Testing, Validation & Operational Performance:
- Managed high-stakes field testing and validation under demanding environmental conditions; characterized system performance, ensuring reliability across the full operating envelope
- Established acceptance testing protocols and commissioning procedures, ensuring all electrical systems met reliability specifications in field conditions
- Implemented comprehensive condition monitoring and predictive maintenance programs, reducing equipment failures 35%
- Team Development & Reliability Culture:
- Built and led a high-performing electrical engineering organization emphasizing reliability engineering and sustainable practices
- Provided on-the-job training of engineers and technicians on troubleshooting & preventive maintenance principles
Senior Electrical Engineer – Technical Leadership
Fortis TCI
01.2016 - 05.2018
- Led strategic technical initiatives in electrical system design and deployment, emphasizing operational reliability, failure prevention, and sustainable technology adoption. Provided technical depth and strategic direction for major modernization programs affecting 40+ installations. Recognized subject matter expert on electrical system reliability design, testing protocols, and sustainable technology integration.
- Conducted comprehensive feasibility studies and impact assessments, optimizing designs for long-term reliability and operational continuity
- Designed control and protection architectures with fault tolerance and redundancy, ensuring reliability under extreme environmental conditions
- Performed systematic fault analysis and reliability optimization on 15+ critical system installations
- Led organization-wide adoption of advanced testing standards for electrical equipment commissioning; established quality assurance framework
- Developed technical documentation and standard procedures for reliability-focused electrical system design
Protection & Control Engineer
Jamaica Public Service Company
01.2006 - 01.2016
- Established deep technical mastery in medium voltage electrical system design, testing, and field deployment with explicit focus on operational reliability and sustainable infrastructure. Led decade-long program modernizing electrical infrastructure for a major utility serving 600,000+ customers while advancing renewable energy integration and sustainable technologies. Designed and validated complex electrical systems operating under demanding Caribbean environmental conditions (high temperature, high humidity, salt-air corrosion).
- System Reliability & Failure Prevention:
- Designed protective settings and electrical control architectures for 2,000+ medium voltage electrical devices, incorporating fault tolerance and redundancy; ensured system coordination and operational reliability
- Conducted detailed fault analysis investigation on 500+ major system incidents; identified root causes and developed preventive and corrective measures to prevent recurrence
- Developed systematic methodology for analyzing complex system behavior under extreme operational stress; established best practices adopted across the organization and other utilities
- Supported renewable energy integration, including 58+ MW wind generation capacity; provided technical impact assessment
- Designed electrical systems supporting sustainable energy objectives while maintaining operational reliability and long-term environmental stewardship
- Technology Modernization & Deployment:
- Designed migration strategies for major technology transitions, ensuring field deployment with zero operational disruption
- Established acceptance testing and commissioning protocols, ensuring electrical systems met reliability specifications in field conditions
- Organizational Impact & Knowledge Transfer:
- Established electrical system design standards recognized by the utility regulator; influenced adoption across Caribbean utility operators
- Trained technicians on electrical system design and reliability engineering methodologies
Skills
Strategic system long-term and operational planning
Power System Analysis
Load Flow, Short Circuit, Transient Stability, Arc Flash, Ground Grid Design and Evaluation
Protection and Control
-Working Knowledge of NERC PRC Standard
Commissioning of High-Voltage equipment
Project Management
Project QA/QC strategy and implementation
Job Planning Risk Assessment
Engineering Change Management
Technical Decision Analysis
Cross Functional Leadership
Financial Evaluation for Business Case
Certification
Electrical Systems & Standards Training
Interests
Fault Disturbance Analysis
Microgrid Controls and Battery Energy Storage Systems
LANGUAGES
- English (Native)
- Spanish (Fluent - Bilingual)
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
Director of Engineering & Planning - Pelican Energy
12.2023 - Current
Manager, Engineering & Substation Operation - Fortis
05.2018 - 12.2023
Senior Electrical Engineer – Technical Leadership - Fortis TCI
01.2016 - 05.2018
Protection & Control Engineer - Jamaica Public Service Company
01.2006 - 01.2016
Universidad De Moa (Formerly ISMM) - Bachelor's Degree, Electrical Power Engineering
Washington State University - Professional Science Master's, Electrical Power Engineering
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Caribbean Utility Operations: 12+ years managing electrical systems in a demanding Caribbean environment. Direct experience with field deployment in extreme environmental conditions (high temperature, high humidity, salt-air corrosion, extreme weather). Developed solutions optimized for challenging environments.
- International Standards & Codes: Extensive experience navigating U.S. (NEC) and international (IEC) electrical codes and regulatory requirements. Successfully managed technology transitions and equipment deployments in international operational contexts.
- Multicultural Coordination: Led cross-functional engineering teams with diverse backgrounds; managed stakeholder relationships across different cultures. Comfortable in dynamic, international project environments.
- References and detailed documentation of work history, technical achievements, and educational credentials are available upon request.