Biography
Technological advancements are driving the rapid integration of renewables into the grid. However, they face challenges of intermittency and variability (quite sad, isn't it?), which pose difficulties for system operators in maintaining a consistent supply-demand balance. As a Prime Minister's Research Fellow (PMRF) at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, my research focuses on Transactive Energy System Design, Independent Distribution System Operator, Flexibility services, and Electricity Markets. My goal is to enhance grid reliability and leverage renewable power sources. With a Bachelor's degree from the National Institute of Technology Srinagar, I possess a comprehensive understanding of theory and practice (or at least I believe so). I am enthusiastic about applying my skills and knowledge to bring about positive changes in the energy sector by enhancing grid reliability through distribution-side flexibility and innovating electricity market operations (that lengthy sentence reflects my excitement!). The potential for innovation in the energy sector is limitless, and I firmly believe (emphasis on "I believe") that this research has the power to strengthen the grid, increase renewable deployment, positively impact the climate (Go Greta!), and enhance grid resiliency – truly a win-win situation.
Current Focus Areas
DER Aggregation
Designing optimization tools to aggregate DERs for Wholesale Market participation.
Independent Distribution System Operator (IDSO)
Modelling the role of IDSO to perform grid-safe aggregation and participate in wholesale markets.
DRL Agents for DERs
Deep reinforcement learning (DRL) based transactive agents for DERs
Swing Contract Design
Developing Swing Contracts for IDSO
Curriculum Vitae
Projects
IDSO's DER Aggregation Tool
Python | Answer Set ProgrammingAn open source tool to model Independent Distribution System Operator (IDSO) for aggregating distributed energy resources (DERs) and participating in wholesale electricity markets while ensuring grid safety and reliability. The tool uses optimization techniques to maximize DER revenue while adhering to grid constraints. The complete mathematical formulation can be found here.
Three-Phase Unbalanced LinDistFlow
Python | PyomoThis project focuses on developing a three-phase unbalanced LinDistFlow model using Python. The model aims to accurately represent power flow in distribution networks, accounting for unbalanced loads and phases.
Meta-Reinforcement Learning
Python | PytorchAn implementation of the paper RL2: Fast Reinforcement Learning via Slow Reinforcement Learning (available here). We used GRUs to train our model, and the policy is optimized using a simple actor-critic algorithm, with the actor being the RNN agent and the baseline/critic network being a simple MLP.
PMRF Teaching Duties
Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University (CSJMU), Kanpur: Workshop on "LaTeX for Document Editing"
Teaching Assistant
A workshop focused on teaching LaTeX for professional document preparation, covering basics to advanced formatting techniques.
NPTEL Course: EE79 Smart Grids: Basics to Advanced Technologies
Teaching Assistant
Doubt clearing and problem solving sessions for students enrolled in the course.
Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University (CSJMU), Kanpur: Workshop on "Machine Learning with Python"
Teaching Assistant
A 30-hours hands-on workshop covering fundamentals of Machine Learning using Python.
NPTEL Course: EE37 Smart Grids: Basics to Advanced Technologies
Teaching Assistant
Doubt clearing and problem solving sessions for students enrolled in the course.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee Indian Institute of Information Technology Gwalior: EE101 Fundamentals of Electrical and Electronics
Teaching Assistant
Problem solving tutorials and laboratory practicals.
NPTEL Course: EE116 Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering
Teaching Assistant
Doubt clearing and problem solving sessions for students enrolled in the course.
Institute Teaching Duties
EE 630(P): Simulation of Modern Power Systems
Teaching Assistant (Lab Tutor)
Conducted lab sessions on power system simulation using Python.
EE 675: Introduction to Reinforcement Learning
Teaching Assistant
Assisting instructor with correcting assignments, and clearing student doubts.
EE 633A: Electric Power System Operation and Management Under Restructured Environment
Teaching Assistant
Assisting instructor with correcting quizzes, assignments, and clearing student doubts.
EE 632A: Economic Operation and Control of Power Systems
Teaching Assistant
Assisting instructor with correcting quizzes, assignments, and clearing student doubts.
ESO 203A: Introduction to Electrical Engineering
Teaching Assistant
Preparing questions for weekly quizzes and assisting in grading assignments.
Presented my research paper at IEEE PESGM 2024, Seattle, WA, USA
My talk at Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 1 Jammu
Publications
Preprints
IDSO-Managed Bid-Based Transactive Distribution Systems Design for DER Participation in Wholesale Markets While Preserving T-D Interactions
S. Sharma, S. Battula, and S.N. Singh
arXiv:2508.08187
Conference Proceedings
Towards Improved System Flexibility: Enabling IDSO's Swing Contract Market Participation
S. Sharma, S. Battula, and S.N. Singh
2026 IEEE Power & Energy Society Transmission & Distribution Conference & Exposition, Chicago, Illinois, 2026 [Accepted]
Transactive Electric Vehicle Agent: A Deep Reinforcement Learning Approach
S. Sharma, S. Battula, and S.N. Singh
2024 IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting, Seattle, Washington, 2024
doi: 10.1109/PESGM51994.2024.10688919.
Interesting Reads
Fictional & General Reads
Technical Books
Power System Analysis
by Grainger and Stevenson
The classic comprehensive guide to power systems engineering.
SearchA New Swing-Contract Design for Wholesale Power Markets
by Leigh Tesfatsion
Proposes a linked swing-contract market design for centrally-managed wholesale power markets.
SearchOptimization Models in Electricity Markets
by Anthony Papavasiliou
A comprehensive introduction to the structure and operation of electricity markets.
SearchGrokking Deep Reinforcement Learning
by Miguel Morales
An intuitive guide to deep reinforcement learning concepts and algorithms.
SearchResearch Papers
Locational Marginal Pricing: A Fundamental Reconsideration
Leigh Tesfatsion, 2024
The paper introduces why there is a fundamental need to reconsider locational marginal pricing in electricity markets.
Read PaperBraided Cobwebs: Cautionary Tales for Dynamic Pricing in Retail Electric Power Markets
A.G. Thomas and L. Tesfatsion, 2018
The paper shows that one-way dynamic retail pricing can create unstable braided cobweb cycles between wholesale and retail markets and usually reduces household welfare compared with flat-rate tariffs.
Read PaperDistribution Systems in a High Distributed Energy Resources Future
P.D. Martin and L. Kristov, 2015
The article introduces for the first time, the need for an Independent Distribution System Operator (IDSO) to manage the highly "active" distribution systems.
Read PaperBlog
Get in Touch
I am always open to collaboration on open-source projects or speaking opportunities.