Mahir Derman serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Provolt, where he brings a wealth of expertise in utility interface and interconnection within commercial and utility-scale renewable energy systems. Based in Sacramento, CA, Mahir founded Provolt Energy to tackle challenges in renewable energy growth and electric vehicle (EV) adoption, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit. In his role as CTO, he has achieved notable success, including the design of utility grid-independent mobile electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) integrated with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Mahir has also played a pivotal role in creating innovative electrical energy generation systems known as Power Stations, further contributing to Provolt's pioneering efforts in the renewable energy sector.

Chief Engineer for Electrun™ Charging Vehicles with built in Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and fast DC chargers which can deliver electrical energy to electric vehicles(EV) in any location. Chief Designer for Electrun™ EcoGrid with its Power Stations for independent electrical energy generation from renewables to supply Electrun™ Charging Vehicles.Co-Creator for Electrun™ Software Suite to monitor, manage and control all Electrun™ Charging Vehicles, EcoGrid Power Stations, and Customer Apps.

Managing the engineering feasibility, utility interconnection negotiations, design and installation of renewable energy and energy storage systems, while expanding company resources to continue to achieve the company goal of doubling the amount of energy generation each year. Key Contributions:• Designed, managed & negotiated the interconnection of over 100MW of commercial (behind the meter & standalone) PV and over 60MWh of advance energy storage systems(AC & DC coupled) in various sizes between 150kW to 14MW in over a dozen states including Massachusetts, California & Hawaii.• Recruited experts in key areas such as advance relaying & protection equipment, utility & AHJ policy negotiations & relationships, and PV designers/engineers, growing the engineering department from 2 persons to 11 persons, while providing the new talent training and personal growth oppurtunities.• Brought all previously outsourced engineering work to inhouse which significantly improved project timelines & costs, while allowing a much greater control & flexibility over the potential delays caused by supply shortages, changes in utility and AHJ requirements. • Built great relationships with utilities, as a consequence, improved commucations and negotiations resulted in many projects avoiding unnecessary delays and high cost utility modifications.• Performed feasibility, designed systems (incl. MV and substation sections) & negotiated interconnections for a number of utility scale PV projects, ranging in size from 60MW to 300MW in AZ & TX. • Produced creative solutions for projects burdened by heavy interconnection costs & long utility timelines, with offering alternative policy and design options to utilities.• Participated deeply in the first ever (hybrid) hydrogen development project in CA, providing engineering consulting, designs & utility negotiations for new primary service from PG&E for 5MW loads (electrolyzer) and 3MW PV system.

Coordinated renewable energy (Solar PV, Wind, Hydro) and energy storage interconnection projects with customers, external vendors and contractors to be interconnected cost effectively, within state regulated timelines.Key Contributions:• Performed engineering studies (i.e. CESIR, Impact etc.), screenings/feasibility reviews, generator commissioning test procedures, drafting contractual interconnection agreements, and coordinating complex renewable energy projects with internal and external stakeholders throughout the interconnection and construction process. (over 600MW of Approval from ISO-NE, over 400MW Interconnected to the grid, over 1.5GW screened for feasibility)• Developed and maintained effective relationships with regulatory, energy product & program management, jurisdictional teams and vendors such as DOER, DPU, ISO, SMART and REG to ensure the successful delivery of National Grid products and programs. • Coordinated with customers, internal and external resources to perform ASO, cluster and group studies, resulting in testing, replacing and modifying substations, feeders, distribution and transmission lines. • Improved internal processes with creating software tool which automates the pre-app, screening and engineering review calculations, performs load vs. generation impact, substation conditions (Overvoltage 3V0, N-0 and N-1) and existing area conditions (i.e. Voltage drop, flicker, etc.) analysis. This tool is still being used for all MA and RI renewable energy and energy storage applications.• Enhanced existing policies such as revising the pre-app process in the tariff which now provides customers more information, providing additional details to system requirements handbook (ESB-756) on 3V0 overvoltage requirements and creating a new SOP for FERC vs. State check to identify FERC projects.

Diagnosed hardware and software problems and created customized solutions, covering, workstations, servers, networks, appliances, automation/monitoring/control systems and smart devices.

Served as expert in developing work packages for electric distribution, transmission and substation systems in OH/UG/URD environments with Low, Medium and High Voltage/Tension infrastructures.Key Contributions:• Designed OH, UG, URD, re-conductoring, line extension, asset replacement and substation modification projects using GIS, CAD tools and other client systems for electrical power utilities including National Grid, Eversource, PPL and DLC.• Performed engineering calculations that included structural analysis of poles, guying, cable pulling, electric demand, fault currents, coordination of protective devices and work permit development estimating costs.• Prepared forestry trimming, environemental and civil survery requests, facilitating easement, permit and Right-of-Way acquisition, BOM, and CIAC.