Clarke V. Simmons BSc MSc — Founder & Managing Director
With over 30-years of relevant experience, Clarke is a veteran leader with the demonstrated ability to assemble, grow and lead high-performance teams. He successfully started, built and sold two data-driven information service companies in the USA. US Government service as a White House research analyst. Student internships at three US government laboratories including the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) that involved instrumentation and data gathering. Previous executive director of two UK renewable energy companies. Prior employment also includes: BP Petrochemicals Strategic Technology Venture Manager; Carbon Trust Offshore Wind Program Manager; and Commercial Director of PelaStar – an offshore wind technology company. Education: BSc Information Systems, Carnegie-Mellon University 1986; Sloan MSc in Management, London Business School 2004; Venture Capital Institute 2004; and the Electricity Markets Program at London Business School 2006. Member of CIGRE and the RORC. American, married with two sons, offshore sailor, patent holder in laser physics and electrical monitoring systems.
♦ Business Strategy Review article Falling Off the Apple Cart (Apple), 2007
♦ Business Strategy Review article The Sloan Legacy (GM), 2009
♦ Energy Systems Catapult interview for SME Stories, 2019
♦ CIGRE paper High-Resolution Condition Monitoring of Transformers at UK Solar Farms Using Micro-Synchrophasors A2-104, 2020-09
♦ Applied Energy Symposium 2020 paper High-resolution data-driven anomalous event detection from solar farm data using clustering large applications based upon randomized search CUE2020-D-034, 2020-10
♦ Patent GB2579156 – Methods and apparatus for the sensing, collecting, transmission, storage, and dissemination of high-resolution power grid electrical measurement data
Clarke Simmons LinkedIn profile
Clarke Simmons ResearchGate profile
Jessica Francois BA MBA MSc CMA — Head of Finance
Jessica is a dynamic and results-driven Finance leader with extensive international experience. She spent several years working for a development finance institution, leading various projects on behalf of international donors, and providing consulting services to small and medium businesses. She later joined Bombardier Aviation, a Canadian Aerospace Manufacturing Company, where she held different Finance leadership roles in North America and Europe. She demonstrated her abilities to align strategy and execution, while successfully managing the financial operations of multi-million-dollar business segments. As a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Project Management Professional (PMP), she is highly adaptable and has a proven track record of streamlining financial operations, increase efficiency and drive growth, in challenging environments. Having lived in 5 different countries, Jessica is a multi-lingual inclusive leader, who’s striving for high performance and positive impact. Education: BA Accounting, Université Quisqueya 1999; MBA Finance, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale 2002; Certificate Comprehensive Management Course, Project Management, McGill University 2009; Sloan MSc in Leadership and Strategy, London Business School 2020; Fulbright Scholar. Haitian-Canadian. Enjoys running and ballroom dancing.
Jessica Francois LinkedIn profile
Chris Gentile BSc MSc — Head of Hardware R&D
A US Air Force Test Pilot with degrees in aeronautical, astronautical, and flight test engineering, Chris Gentile brings a broad range of technical, programme management, manufacturing, and practical experience to the Neuville team. He has lead development, test, and integration projects on the F-22 stealth fighter and MQ-9 drones as well as multiple cybersecurity programs and a secondment with DARPA. A Command Pilot with over two-thousand flight hours in F-16C, F-15E and F-22 high-performance aircraft, Chris is driven to improve the interface between humans and the tools we interact with. An expert in measurement and testing, he has experience leading organizations both large and small. Education: BSc Astronautical Engineering, United States Air Force Academy 2000; MSc Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University 2008; MSc Flight Test Engineering, USAF Test Pilot School 2011. American, married (Amy) with son (Bailey). Also active in sailplane flying, triathlons, and fabrication/electronics.
Chris Gentile LinkedIn profile
Matthew Hanley BEng MEngSc MSc — Head of Network Deployment and Operations
Matthew has over 20 years of leadership, management and technical programme delivery experience in the energy, aviation, and military sectors. Prior to graduating from an Executive Masters programme at London Business School in late 2019, Matt worked for Australia’s Origin Energy where he led a £$110m/yr gas field development and infrastructure programme. A Certified Project Management Professional (PMP), at Virgin Australia Airlines he managed an entire aircraft fleet transitional refit programme. Matt also had a successful early career as an engineering and armament officer in the Royal Australian Air Force. In short, Matt brings a wealth of practical experience and a track record of building diverse teams that successfully deliver industrial projects. Education: BEng Chemical Engineering, University of Queensland 1997; MEngSc in Aerospace Engineering, University of New South Wales 2010; Sloan MSc in Leadership and Strategy, London Business School 2019. Australian, husband and dad, keen golfer.
Matt Hanley LinkedIn profile
Maitreyee Dey, BTech, MTech, PhD — Data Mining Lead
Maitreyee has nearly a decade of technical research experience. Her current position at Neuville aligns with a joint-Post-Doctoral Research Fellow position in the School of Engineering at London South Bank University (LSBU) under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) support for Low Carbon London. Prior to LSBU, Maitreyee worked as a junior research fellow (2012 – 2015) at Jadavpur University in India on automatic target recognition using FLIR imagery. Her research interests include machine learning, artificial intelligence, pattern recognition, big data analysis, energy optimization in smart buildings, renewable energy technology, and image processing. Education: B.Tech Computer Science & Engineering 1st Class, West Bengal University of Technology; M.Tech Computer Science & Engineering 1st Class, West Bengal University of Technology; PhD Computer Science, London South Bank University 2020. Over 20 academic publications including following papers related to her work at Neuville:
♦ CIGRE paper High-Resolution Condition Monitoring of Transformers at UK Solar Farms Using Micro-Synchrophasors A2-104, 2020-09
♦ Applied Energy Symposium 2020 paper High-resolution data-driven anomalous event detection from solar farm data using clustering large applications based upon randomized search CUE2020-D-034, 2020-10
Maitreyee Dey ResearchGate profile
Maitreyee Dey Google Scholar page
Michal Witkovsky — Student Research Engineer
Michal is in his final year as a Computer Systems and Networks Engineering undergraduate student at London South Bank University (LSBU). He works part-time as an intern at Neuville with a focus on Software Development and Operations (DevOps). Prior to Neuville, Michal worked as a Comms field engineer configuring and installing networking hardware as well as a Software lead in 2 student projects supported by LSBU. Combining his technical and theoretical knowledge, Michal helps improve and develop Neuville’s secure data telemetry, reliable Cloud infrastructure, and firmware/software needed to ensure successful operation of Neuville’s growing network of Grid Data Units (GDU). Slovak, guitarist, cyclist, and an avid swimmer.
Michal Witkovsky LinkIn profile
Advisors & Research Associates
Katherine Jackson CEng BSc MEng MIET – Technical Advisor
Katherine is a chartered electrical engineer with over 30 years’ experience providing technical support and specialist services. Her technical background includes power generation plant design, electrical system analysis, and technology development. Career: Cegelec as Head of Power Systems and Protection Group, 1991-1995; Parsons Brinckerhoff as Power Systems Group Manager 1996-2009 & Director, Power Systems 2009-2015; and WSP as Technical Director, Energy 2015-2020. At WSP, she drove technical excellence and innovation across up to 350 staff in their UK Energy business. With Parsons Brinckerhoff, she was responsible for the business, strategic, operational, commercial, and technical leadership of up to 30 electrical engineers across 5 offices with expertise in traditional power system planning, modelling and analysis, and low-carbon smart grid innovation. Member of IET Energy Sector Executive (2016-ongoing); IET Professional Registration Interviewer (2007 – ongoing); and Energy Research Accelerator Industrial Advisory Board (2019 – ongoing). Education: BSc Electrical Engineering and Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering, University of Manchester 1987; Chartered Engineer, Member of Institution of Engineering and Technology 1993; Certificate, Joint Board for Engineering Management 1999. She is now undertaking a part-time MSc in Energy Policy at the University of Sussex. British, married, grown-up children and a sociable club cyclist.
Recent Presentations
♦ “Future of Energy in the UK”, presentation to Energy Research Accelerator Early Career Research virtual conference, June 2020
♦ “International Perspectives on Hydrogen and CCUS”, presentation to IGEM Annual Conference, September 2020 and the CCUS and Hydrogen Decarbonisation Summit, February 2020
♦ “Insights from Modelling EV Impacts and Solutions”, presentation given at Cigre UK Event on ‘The Challenges of Connecting EVs to the Grid’ July 2019
Katherine Jackson’s LinkedIn profile
Alexandra “Sascha” von Meier PhD — Technical Advisor
Sascha is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of California Berkeley, where she teaches a course on Electric Power Systems. She is also Electric Grid program area Director at the California Institute for Energy and Environment (CIEE) , focusing on power distribution systems, Smart Grid issues, and the integration of distributed and intermittent generation. Her current research projects center on the use of high-precision micro-synchrophasor measurements for situational awareness, diagnostics and control applications in distribution grids. Education: BA Physics, UC Berkeley 1986; MA Energy and Resources, UC Berkeley 1990; PhD, Energy and Resources, UC Berkeley 1995. American, married
Selected Publications
♦ von Meier, Ratnam, E. L., Brady, K., Moffat, K., and Swartz, J. “Phasor-Based Control for Scalable Integration of Variable Energy Resources.” Energies, 13(1), Jan 2020.
♦ Moffat, K., M. Bariya and A. von Meier, “Unsupervised Impedance and Topology Estimation of Distribution Networks-Limitations and Tools.” IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, 11(1), 846-856. 2020.
♦ von Meier, E. Stewart, A. McEachern, M. Andersen and L. Mehrmanesh, “Precision Micro-Synchrophasors for Distribution Systems: A Summary of Applications.” IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, July 2017.
♦ von Meier, “Challenges to the Integration of Renewable Resources at High System Penetration,” California Energy Commission, May 2014.
♦ von Meier, Electric Power Systems: A Conceptual Introduction. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Interscience-IEEE, 2006.
♦ von Meier, “Occupational Cultures as a Challenge to Technological Innovation,” IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, Vol. 46 No.1, Feb. 1999.
♦ von Meier, Jennifer Lynn Miller and Ann C. Keller, “The Disposition of Excess Weapons Plutonium: A Comparison of Three Narrative Contexts.” The Nonproliferation Review, Winter 1998.
♦ Rochlin, G. and A. von Meier: “Nuclear Power Operations — A Cross-Cultural Comparison,” Annual Review of Energy and the Environment, Vol. 19, 1994.
Sascha von Meier LinkedIn profile
Sascha von Meier ResearchGate profile
Sascha von Meier Google Scholar page
Sascha von Meier UC Berkeley faculty page
Michael A. Fedosiuk MSc IEng MIET — Senior Advisor
Over 40-years of power industry experience. Engineering roles with National Power, International Power, GdF Suez and Engie. Considerable operational experience across Great Britain, Malaysia, Portugal, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, UAE, Indonesia, and Nigeria. Strong technical capability on an extensive range of different power plant, renewable and T&D technologies. Proven experience managing large power generation facilities – both greenfield development and acquisition projects. Senior roles include: General Manager of Karaganda Distribution Company in Kazakhstan with 980 staff reporting; Plant Manager/President Director of the 2.1 GW Paiton Power Plant in Indonesia with 420 staff; and most recently Senior Manager T&D, Centralised Generation Group, Engie. Strong cross-cultural interpersonal, team building and communication skills. Education: Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB) Training Program; HNC in Electrical/Electronic Engineering with endorsements in Computer Engineering, Digital Techniques, and Control & Computing; MSc Advanced Engineering, Loughborough University 2006. British, married.
♦ CIGRE paper High-Resolution Condition Monitoring of Transformers at UK Solar Farms Using Micro-Synchrophasors A2-104, 2020-09
Mike Fedosiuk LinkedIn profile
Kevin Fouche BSc MBA — Big Data Advisor
Former Manager of Global Customer Data at Verizon Communications for the Wireline B2B segments. Managing a team of 25 people, led Verizon’s customer data management and integration strategies to enable data warehousing, master data management, business intelligence, analytic applications, and process transformation initiatives. Started career with GTE Data Services spending 10-years leading onshore and offshore software development teams creating enterprise sales and revenue tools. At GTE he also successfully led large-scale system integration project teams creating business efficiencies; driving system architecture strategies throughout several mergers/ divestitures. With 9-years of IT leadership experience and 9-years in various business units, Kevin’s business acumen and deep technical expertise combine to offer a unique perspective on Big Data initiatives. Education: BSc Electrical & Computer Engineering University of Florida 1996; MBA University of Florida 2002. American, married, two great kids, avid sailor, elected Commodore & President of Tampa’s Davis Island Yacht Club, a non-profit with 550 members and $10m of assets.
Kevin Fouche LinkedIn profile
Robert Brown MEng — Research Associate
A Smart Grids researcher, Robert is investigating distribution transformer efficiency as part of his PhD studies at London South Bank University. His experimental work includes solar photovoltaic power inverters and the application of micro-synchrophasors (µPMU) to transformer condition monitoring. Robert received his MEng (Hons) degree in Electrical Engineering and Power Electronics from London South Bank University in 2017. Previously he worked as an electrician in the renewables, controls and maintenance sectors after receiving City and Guilds qualifications in 2007. CIGRE member. He has been published in the areas of Energy Disaggregation, Power Electronics, and Applications of Ultra-Wideband Radar.
♦ IEEE paper Experimental Validation of a Thirteen Level H-Bridge Photovoltaic Inverter Configuration – Loukriz, Dudley, Brown, Quinian & Walker (LSBU & Univ of Essex), 2017-06
♦ CIGRE paper High-Resolution Condition Monitoring of Transformers at UK Solar Farms Using Micro-Synchrophasors A2-104, 2020-09
Robert Brown LinkedIn profile
Robert Brown Google Scholar page
Sir Geoffrey Chipperfield K.C.B. — Advisory Board Member Emeritus
An Oxford graduate in law, Sir Geoffrey brings a lifetime of experience in the UK energy sector and related Government policy. Highpoints of his Government service include Permanent Secretary, UK Department of Energy and Chairman of Governors, International Energy Agency. Post-government service, he served as a director of several utilities and industrial groups. Born 1932, Cardiff. Educated Canada, Cranleigh, New College, Oxford. 1957, called to bar. 1959 joined civil service; various departments – Attorney General’s Office; Land and Natural Resources; UK Department of Environment. Permanent Secretary UK Department of Energy 1989-91; Chairman of Governors, International Energy Agency, 1989-91; Permanent Secretary and Chief Executive PSA 1991-93. Chairman, UK-Continental Gas Interconnector sponsors, 1991-3; Chairman DTI Energy Advisory Panel 1993 -1999; Non-Executive Director and deputy Chairman, Pennon Group PLC 1995 – 2005; Chairman, British Cement Association 1997 -2001; Chairman of Governors, Plumstead Manor Secondary School 1992-5; Pro-Chancellor, University of Kent 1999-2006; Chairman Heliodynamics Ltd 2001 -2007; Council Member, Foundation of Science and Technology.