d Frank M. Gonzales - Senior Power System & AI Expert

Frank M. Gonzales

P.E., M.S.E.E | Senior Power Systems Professional | Data & Analytics Leader

Orange, CA (657) 749–3122 frank@thtank.com

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Highly technical power systems professional and data-driven engineer offering extensive experience in power systems engineering, data engineering, data science, software development, and architecture. Proven track record in building scalable data pipelines, architecting cloud-based analytics platforms, and delivering high-impact data products that empower stakeholders across engineering, product, and operations. Adept at SQL, Snowflake, power systems modeling, scripting, and cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure, Databricks). Recognized for clarity, collaboration, and driving innovation at the intersection of data, engineering, and business strategy.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Senior Engineer – Research & Development

2025

ETAP

  • Algorithm Development: Develop and refine optimization algorithms for unbalanced power flow, DER sizing, and more. Improve scalability and performance of existing models.
  • System Modeling & Simulation: Build and validate power system models (generation, transmission, distribution). Simulate scenarios to test optimization under real-world conditions.
  • Research & Innovation: Stay ahead of trends in smart grids and energy markets. Contribute to research, white papers and technical presentations.

Senior Engineer – Scenario Planning

2022 – 2025

Southern California Edison

  • Lead scenario and special studies to advance key technologies and ensure innovation in grid planning. Developed and documented actionable plans for grid design and operations improvements. Studies included transformer loading criteria analysis, high transportation electrification, and LA 2028 Olympics
  • Implemented data validation workflows ensuring reliability and accuracy across large-scale grid datasets. Created data pipelines and algorithms for BESS deployments, grid flexibility using automated switches and load profile analytics.
  • Lead early electrification customer insights (EECI) initiative on behalf of engineering organization. Created Snowflake data warehouse to consolidate transportation electrification data trackers.
  • Customer Outreach Support Specialist on behalf of Business Resiliency in support of the Incident Command Team for all-hazards events and Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS)

Senior Engineer – Grid Analytics & Machine Learning

2015 – 2022

Southern California Edison

  • Technical Lead, EPIC II & EPIC III projects: developed hazard and storm impact prediction models leveraging ML to forecast equipment failures.
  • Translate advanced analytics use cases for SCE into technical approaches that yield actionable recommendations, across multiple, diverse domains; communicate results and educate others through design and build of insightful visualizations, reports, and presentations
  • Work in cross-disciplinary teams with Data Science industry experts to understand SCE needs and ingest data sources both internal/external to SCE including lab data and operational data. Performed actions to architect, design, prototype, and implement architectures to tackle the Big Data and Data Science needs for EPIC demonstration projects.
  • Research, experiment, and utilize leading Big Data methodologies, such as Hadoop, Spark, Hive, Impala, SAP HANA, and Oracle Big Data Technology Stack and optimized a Hadoop cluster for advanced analytics workloads. Built load forecasting models integrated into enterprise grid analytics platforms. Created machine learning–based storm analytics tools, delivering proactive damage prediction and mitigation strategies.

Power System Planner – Data Architecture & Analytics

2008 – 2015

Southern California Edison

  • Lead system engineering activities for SCE's Integrated Capacity Analysis public web map per CPUC mandate. This involved detailed, first of its kind distribution feeder modeling for simulations and advanced python scripting for processing time-series data from SCADA & AMI systems.
  • Led cross-functional system engineering and enterprise-level analytics initiatives gaining extensive skills in business requirement capture and translation, hypothesis-driven consulting, work stream and project management, and client relationship development both internally and with external partners.
  • Fluency in several programming languages such as Python, Java, and C++, with the ability to pick up new languages and technologies quickly; understanding of cloud and distributed systems principles, including load balancing, networks, scaling, in-memory vs. disk, etc.; and experience with large-scale, big data methods, such as MapReduce, Hadoop, Spark, Hive, Impala, Kafka.
  • Strong grasp of algorithms and data structures; Highly skilled in databases including database design, modeling and implementation. Developed enterprise data integration and business intelligence reporting pipelines. Delivered BI dashboards and analytics application to internal stakeholders, enabling data-driven decision-making.

Engineer – Distribution & Substation Planning

2002 – 2008

Southern California Edison

  • Built, analyzed, and optimized large-scale power system datasets, delivering insights for operational planning. Performed data-driven scenario analysis (N-1, contingency, VAR, and load forecasting). Design new overhead and underground distribution circuits to serve new load and maintain/improve system integrity and reliability out of Yucaipa Substation
  • Responsible for Subtransmission System Planning, including A-Bank Planning, Circuit Design, VAR Planning, line assessments, contingency analysis, and technical investments justification for the Walnut 66kV,16kV and 12kV Systems. Supported grid operations during critical storm events with real-time analytics. Performed short circuit duty studies, fuse coordination studies, automatic re-closer coordination studies. Resolved any civil, electrical, and wiring discrepancies on drawings.
  • Challenged to modernize distribution system planning software; this included creation of an enterprise scale relational database application interface for analyzing distribution and sub-transmission VAR requirements, substation peak & temperature normalization analysis, load growth analysis, load balancing, sub-transmission lines analysis, project initiation, project work-order tracking, duct bank temperature analysis, and heat storm tracking.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Fast learner and team player who quickly adapts to different contexts.

Data Engineering & Analytics

SQL Snowflake dbt Python NumPy Pandas Scikit-learn

Cloud Platforms

AWS GCP Azure Databricks

Data Modeling

Star/Snowflake schemas ETL/ELT Geospatial Time-series

Tools & Systems

Docker Git Hadoop ETAP PSS/E CYME Streamlit

Advanced Analytics

Machine Learning Forecasting Predictive Modeling GenAI Applications

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration Project management Stakeholder engagement

EDUCATION

M.S., Electrical Engineering

University of Southern California, 2010

B.S., Electrical Engineering

Cal Poly Pomona, 2002

Minor in Computer Science – Scientific Computer Programming

Project Management Certification

Cal Tech Pasadena, 2012

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • • State of California Registered Professional Engineer - License No. 17657
  • • Member of IEEE, Power Engineering Society

PUBLICATIONS

  • • Distribution System Planning for Growth in Residential EV Adoption, IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, 2022
  • • Association Rule Mining for Localizing Solar Power in Distribution Feeders, IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, 2020
  • • Mitigation of Grid Susceptibility Caused by Behind-the-Meter Solar Generation, 2020 IEEE Conference on Technologies for Sustainability
  • • Advanced Data Analytics at SCE, DistribuTECH 2019
  • • Storm Impact Prediction Modeling in Distribution Power Systems, IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, 2019
  • • Weather Normalization of Temperature Sensitive Loads, IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, 2017
  • • Development of an Underground Cable Temperature Calculation Program using the Neher-McGrath Method, IEEE Transaction on Power Systems, 2010

Open Source Power Applications

Panda Power Power System Analysis UI
PSPS Operations Application
Voltguard Predictive Engine
Automated Deep Learning
Automated Time-series Forecasting
Thermal Analysis for PS Cables
Integrated Planning for Utilities
Climate Adaption & Vulnerability AI Assessment
Power System Digital Twin
PSPS Incident Command
Grid Pulse
Transformer RUL
Storm Guard
Grid Cast
Duct Bank Cable Temperatures
Cable Impedance

Other Open Source Applications

EDM Live Sets
DJ Studio Pro
Agentic AI enabled Property Management
AI Enhanced Plant Identfication
Engineering Calculator
Chessmaster
Super Bowl Squares
NFL Pickem
AI Tax Preparation
TI-89 Graphing Calculator
Weather Forecast