Keith Johnston Email & Phone Number

Somerville, Massachusetts, Us

Somerville, Massachusetts, Us

Somerville, Massachusetts, Us

San Francisco, Ca, Us

Calgary, Alberta, Ca

I led the R&D team at Eguana Technologies, a provider of integrated battery energy storage products for residential and commercial applications. My main responsibilities included:- Definition of product requirements and system architecture for new energy storage solutions- Creation of product roadmaps based on customer needs and industry feedback- Management of an R&D team spanning electronics/electrical, mechanical, and software development- Execution of product development work against project plans and schedules- Coordinating new product releases with sales, operations, and product management teams

Calgary, Alberta, Ca

In my role on the R&D team at Eguana, I focused on power circuit design, product architecture, and applications of energy storage technologies. In each of these areas, I implemented innovative approaches to improve product functionality, reduce costs, and meet customer needs.My main responsibilities included:- Development of product platforms and roadmaps- Performance evaluations of power converters and integrated solutions- Protocol development for faults and data logging- Design and analysis of safety circuitry and algorithms used in inverters- Problem solving related to customer applications and installations- Component qualification and vendor production ramps- Certification of system components, software changes, and new products

Hanover, Maryland, Us

I executed project-based performance analyses for solar photovoltaic power plants and new utility-scale products. These efforts were used to improve the accuracy of predictive models, inform product development decisions, and identify specific problems that impact energy production. I strived to provide impartial and highly detailed assessments to help my clients reduce the risk of developing, commissioning, and operating solar assets. My main activities included:- Data extraction and processing from on-site SCADA systems- Systematic comparisons of measured electrical data to predictive models- Statistical analyses of power flow and conversion losses (modules to point of AC grid interconnection)- Root cause analyses for photovoltaic and solar resource modeling discrepancies- Energy production assessments for performance guarantee benchmarking- Deep-dive investigations on specific technical topics (e.g., tracking accuracy, response ofmodule power electronics, impacts of inverter topologies, and panel soiling rates)

Richmond, California, Us

I managed the Performance and Electrical Team in Ground Products, which is responsible for designing, developing, and deploying products for large-scale (>100MW) solar photovoltaic power plants. I was actively involved in engineering and technical problem solving related to tracker controllers, power collection circuitry, protection electronics (bypass diodes and other module electronics), and performance modeling.Direct technical responsibilities:- Researched and identified promising solar cell, optical, and power electronic technologies for new product development and acquisition opportunities- Executed power plant performance tests, analyzed data, and reported results to customers- Evaluated inverter topologies and generated specifications to support new products- Developed a method to extract loss mechanisms from the solar cell to the inverter- Optimized performance models through experimental methods and power plant data mining- Developed hardware, automation, and processes for in-line cell and receiver testing metrology- Coordinated efforts to improve uptime, yield, and throughput during manufacturing builds- Contributed to the electrical system designs for power plants deployed in China and the USA- Troubleshot and rectified problems related to inverters, tracker controllers, and SCADA systemsManagerial responsibilities:- Managed schedules, BOM costs, program budgets, and resource allocation- Guided development for tracking sensors, algorithms, firmware, and UI software- Created the product requirement definitions for new programs- Managed the certification of tracker components (UL, IEC)- Coordinated regular technical reviews with employees and management regarding project direction, product functionality, and areas of risk- Managed the qualification and reliability testing requirements for new products

Richmond, California, Us

I worked with an interdisciplinary engineering team to invent and develop a low-concentrating photovoltaic (LCPV) technology for power plant applications called the C7 Tracker. This involved robust material, optical, electrical, thermal, and mechanical solutions to enable a 25 year product warranty in harsh environments.Key Deliverables:- Executed on product development through a phased approach from conceptualization to release- Conducted FMEA studies to inform qualification and reliability requirements- Executed qualification testing of electronics, solar cells, and material systems- Studied the impacts of shading effects throughout the system through models and experiments- Developed a patented electronic protection circuit configuration to mitigate shading effects- Designed and developed a thin electronics package for in-laminate (receiver) applications- Helped drive certification for the C7 receivers and tracking system- Developed processes and automation for an aggressive production ramp-up in the Philippines- Developed multi-sun flash testing capabilities to inform solar cell and module designs- Developed product testing systems for in-line metrology- Characterized system prototypes to inform development strategies and performance models- Designed, developed, and qualified electrical components used in panels and systems (j-boxes, combiner boxes, wiring configurations, power collection topologies)- Customized inverter requirements for system compatibility- Optimized inverter power point tracking algorithms to maximize energy production- Executed comprehensive performance model accuracy assessments- Qualified and managed vendors in Germany, Japan, Singapore, China, and the USA

Toronto, On, Ca

I was involved in the design of a concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) module, which required me to innovate and work closely with engineers on electrical, mechanical, and optical subsystems.- Contributed to the electrical and optical subsystem designs- Established and qualified equipment for electrical testing and module performance monitoring- Researched components and negotiated with vendors to minimize system cost

Toronto, Ontario, Ca

Through my advanced coursework and research, I obtained a thorough understanding of modern semiconductor, photonics, and optoelectronic device concepts. My thesis project on nanoscale photovoltaic materials gave me in-depth exposure to all phases of device development, including fabrication, characterization, and optimization. - Made major contributions in colloidal quantum dot photovoltaic devices- Carried out experiments in the pursuit of optimizing device performance- Ran optimization experiments on ligand exchanges, film deposition, and electrode deposition- Developed new characterization techniques to better understand the principles of operation, including CELIV and time-of-flight- Used many other techniques to help draw experimental conclusions, including SEM/TEM, spectrophotometry, AFM, and EQE

Calgary, Alberta, Ca

After graduation, I supported the development of a finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) algorithm to simulate electromagnetic wave sources.- Optimized the functionality MATLAB scripts capturing the FDTD embodiments of Maxwell's equations - Troubleshot performance and identified bugs based on known mathematical responses

Zurich, Zh, Ch

At ABB Corporate Research, I worked on the testing and qualification of a new high voltage capacitor product (DryQ) for power factor correction applications.- Performed accelerated stress tests to inform design risks- Setup and operated a metrology system for real-time data monitoring- Performed root cause failure analyses used to improve product design

Edmonton, Alberta, Ca

As a summer intern, I worked with a team to test, maintain, and repair high voltage electrical components. This required me to work closely with power delivery circuits and to become familiar with many electrical and mechanical components.- Performed testing and inspection of power systems in commercial and industrial facilities- Maintained and repaired power systems components (relays, circuit breakers, transformers)

Master Of Applied Science (Masc), Electrical Engineering

Bachelor Of Science (Bsc), Electrical Engineering