Professional Background

Dr. Ramakrishna Kappagantu is a pivotal member of the Indian Power Sector and was a part of engineering executive management of National Thermal Power Corporation of India Limited (NTPC) and Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID). He holds a bunch of contributions in his work specialisation in several roles from being on Advisory Committees of professional organisations to leading India’s first Smart Grid Pilot project. He played a key role in the management of the 55 GigaWatt South Indian Power Grid, it’s complex real time operations, power markets and SCADA-EMS systems. He is passionate about Power System Economics, Smart Grids and Smart Cities, Renewables and SCADA-EMS. Apart from having made contributions to reputed journals and publications, he is regularly invited to address gatherings at several conferences and universities around the world. He is a versatile speaker and loves Indian Classical Music. He works for embedding Human Values in Technology & Management among younger generation and strongly opines that such values induction alone drives the Technological Innovations for the benefit of Humanity.


Work Experience


  • Senior Advisor (Technical, Strategy & New Initiatives) - Power Research Development Consultants Ltd (2018 - Current)

  • Member (Smart Grid Steering Committee and Advisory Committee) - BESCOM (2016 - 2018)

  • Managing Director & CEO (Solar Power Projects & Consultancy, EPC) - Lotus Ener Power (2015 - 2016)

  • Additional General Manager (Smart Grid, Consultancy & Transmission) - POWERGRID (2012 - 2015)

  • Additional General Manager (Op Services, Tr Systems & ULDC) - POWERGRID (2011 - 2012)

  • Additional General Manager (Op Services, Grid Management & SCADA) - POWERGRID (2009 - 2011)

  • Deputy General Manager (Grid Management & OS) - POWERGRID (2003 - 2009)

  • Chief Manager (Commercial & Regulatory) - POWERGRID (1999 - 2003)

  • Manager (Commercial) - POWERGRID (1996 - 1999)

  • Deputy Manager (Contracts & Commercial) - POWERGRID (1994 - 1996)

  • Deputy Manager (Operation Services & Audit) - POWERGRID (1993 - 1994)

  • Senior Engineer (Commercial & Regional Communication) - POWERGRID (1991 - 1993)

  • Senior Engineer (Inter Operations Control Centre) - NTPC Ltd. (1990 - 1991)

  • Engineer (Planning and O&M) - NTPC Ltd. Ltd. (1985 - 1990)

  • Engineering Executive Trainee (Transmission) - NTPC Ltd. Ltd. (1984 - 1985)

  • Associate Field Engineer (Computer Systems) - DCM Data Products (1983 - 1984)


Education

National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, India

Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Smart Grid Distribution Systems (2013 - 2018)

Post Graduate School, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, India

Masters of Technology - M.Tech, Automation and Control (1991 - 1993)

Malaviya National Institute of Technology (MREC), Jaipur, India

Bachelor of Technology - B.Tech, Electrical Engineering (1978 - 1983)



Awards and Fellowships

  • For his momentous contributions Institution of Engineers (India) bestowed Eminent Engineer Award and Indian Technology Congress Association conferred him with Distinguished Technologist Honour.

  • Technology Excellence Award 2015 for Promotion of Engineering Professional Activities Internationally from the Indian Technology Congress for showcasing cost effective smart grid technologies at Puducherry Smart Grid Pilot Project under open collaboration with many Technologists, Utilities, Research, Academia, Manufacturers and Entrepreneurs.

  • Life Fellow of Institution of Engineers (India)

  • Chartered Engineer of Institution of Engineers (India)

  • Appointed Member of National Committee of Electrical Engineering for International Professional Engineers Certification (2016 - Current)

  • Founder Fellow, Indian Technology Congress Association

  • Founding Board Member of BRICS Federation of Engineering Organizations that promote services for Professional bodies of Engineering/Technology Students from BRICS Countries’ Universities.