Dr. Suresh Reddy: Career Journey in Control Systems & Electrification

Dr Reddy received his B.Tech (Hons) from I.I.T. Kharagpur, M.S. from Ohio State University, and Ph.D. from M.I.T. in Mechanical Engineering. He specialized throughout in the areas of Dynamics and Control, developing a systems thinking spanning multiple areas - his Ph.D. work involved developing the theoretical foundation for a novel nonlinear control system, known as Time Delay Control, and applying it successfully to a complex electromechanical system, involving a spinning rotor supported in space only by active magnetic bearings.

Dr Reddy's background in dynamics and control, and application to electromechanical systems, led him to GE Research catalyzing his contributions to the GE's locomotive traction and suspension systems, structural dynamic analysis, incipient bearing and gearing failure analysis/diagnostics, acoustic noise reduction and control, industrial process control, chemical process control, and manufacturing process control, spanning GE businesses of Transportation, Plastics, Appliances, Lighting, Aviation and partner company, Lockheed Martin. Dr Reddy's award winning contributions, particularly for GE's existing and new products such as 1st AC locomotive and 1st steerable truck, led him to GE Transportation, where he led locomotive traction performance improvements, and then later, in promoted role as manager, various locomotive control and auxiliary systems, particularly for GE's Evolution series locomotive product development. Dr Reddy was trained in 6 Sigma as a Green Belt, and Black Belt, and applied statistical and DFSS methodologies for locomotive traction performance improvement, deployment of Matlab/Simulink for desktop simulations, control software automation, as well as adaptation of rapid prototyping and hardware in the loop tools (dSPACE, Opal RT) for control developments. He also coordinated state of the art locomotive control architecture developments, formation of India engineering center, including DC locomotive control system development starting from undocumented Assembly code into Matlab/Simulink models for software deployed on modern evolution series locomotive control platforms. He was intimately involved in the development of state of the art proprietary diesel engine controls, with a partner, involving multiple processors and FPGAs, with application software developed in Matlab/Simulink, and successful deployment of Tier 2 evolution series locomotives with engine and various other controllers.

Dr Reddy moved to Caterpillar Inc from GE, to lead Caterpillar Inc's first electric drive system for its mining trucks, including offering of trolley option, initially as lead engineer, and later, in promoted role as engineering manager. He coordinated development and technical workflow of various components, cooling and control systems, leading to systems trade off/optimization for performance, weight and cost, as well as development platforms in desktop, hardware in the loop for control/software, and lab simulator for powertrain. After successful development and launch of a family of mining trucks including development for adapting electric drives for newly acquired Bucyrus Unit Rig trucks, Dr Reddy was promoted to the role of strategy manager for electric power conversion across the enterprise consisting of mining, construction, energy and transportation segments, assessing organic and inorganic growth options, and presenting to several Senior Vice Presidents. He participated in due diligence of acquisition consideration of multiple electric power conversion companies, including synergy assessments, as well as creating internal talent pools for organic growth of electrification. Following a laid out strategy, Dr Reddy coordinated technology investments in electric power conversion for Energy & Transportation segment, led concept and demonstration developments for variable speed gensets, UPS power and electric drive for hydraulic fracturing, as well as product development and deployment of a proprietary microgrid control system. These developments catalyzed formation and expansion of electric power conversion team for Energy & Transportation segments.

Caterpillar Inc's formation of Electrification/Advanced Power Division enabled Dr Reddy to take on expanded role, including coordination of all technology investments for electrification, and technical oversight of inverters, energy transfer/charging systems for electrified machines/vehicles and control systems for microgrids and back up power systems. Dr Reddy proposed a new concept for combined back up and UPS power with fuel cells and battery, supported an integrated microgrid plus charging system proposal, supported certification of grid tied energy storage inverter (IEEE1547/UL1741SB) and energy storage system (UL1740), supported model developments for electrified powertrain concept selections among battery, fuel cells, tether/trolley and various hybrid options. He also supported formation of India team for power conversion and control, with hiring and mentoring. Additionally, Dr Reddy continued intimate involvement in product development for next generation microgrid systems, involving novel algorithms independent of asset type, handling various electrical configurations of assets and types as well as next generation concepts involving real time optimization, and machine learning approaches for microgrid power/energy management. Dr Reddy also coordinated a learning series on electrification for the broad spectrum of Caterpillar Inc employees, teaching several modules himself, as well as arranged custom courses from multiple Universities for a select set of employees.

Following retirement from Caterpillar Inc, Dr Reddy has consulted for Caterpillar Inc in supporting microgrid and UPS power control system developments through Triple Crown Consulting LLC. He provided consulting services to several management and investment consulting firms on electrification, construction, mining and energy industry trends via various expert network. Dr Reddy also established his own E-Conversion & Control Consulting LLC , developing expert witness reports for Goodmans LLP, a Canadian law firm, in settlement of an electrified mining vehicle patent dispute between Sandvik and Epiroc. Dr Reddy also took on an assignment for over a year, with Fronius USA as Head of R&D for their solar energy division, to accelerate the development and deployment of Fronius International's award winning Gen 24 solar/hybrid inverter in the North American market, meeting IEEE1547/UL1741SB, UL3141 Power Control Systems and Sunspec requirements, development of back up solutions such as essential and whole home back up units, exploration of battery partners, and solutions for string level shutdown devices.

Dr Reddy has been supporting as Science Advisor to elseborn.ai, a start up initiative by his college mate, Raja Abburi, in providing rigorous review and iterative feedback to his AI system's scientific contributions.

Dr Reddy has also served as Adjunct Professor at Bradley University and Gannon University, local schools in Peoria, IL and Erie, PA respectively. Dr Reddy served as advisory board member for Purdue University Northwest's computer science, and Argonne National Lab's cybersecurity research.

Outside of his professional life, Dr Reddy served as United Way campaign manager for Caterpillar Inc's Advanced Components and Systems division, over two years, leading to increased participation and contributions by employees, over each year. Dr Reddy served as Team Manager for JGSA 01 Boys, a Peoria based travel soccer team, as well as a member of Peoria Chess Foundation board.