MANASAVEENA CHENNURI P.E.
Hillsborough
Summary
Engineering professional with 17 years of experience specializing in HVDC and FACTS systems, public utility design, CSG Solar and electrical utility management. Strong analytical skills applied to solve engineering problems effectively and efficiently. Experienced VP of Engineering with a focus on strategic planning and process improvement to enhance project outcomes. History of achieving significant business growth through streamlined operations and successful project execution.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
VP of Engineering
Novel Energy Solutions
Saint Paul
11.2025 - Current
- Led multi-disciplinary engineering teams to deliver community solar projects ranging 1MW to 15 MW
- Executed engineering strategy, SOPs, and design frameworks to support scalable, multi-state CSG growth.
- Built high-performing teams through strategic hiring and mentoring aligned with pipeline expansion.
- Oversaw BESS solutions for CSG projects, focusing on system sizing and interconnection.
- Directed power system studies to meet utility and AHJ requirements for distributed generation.
- Reviewed and approved engineering drawings as a PE, ensuring compliance with codes.
- Served as technical liaison with AHJs, utilities, and permitting agencies to resolve issues.
- Collaborated with Project Development, EPC, Construction, and Operations team for project execution
Director for Electrical Engineering
Novel Energy Services
05.2023 - 11.2024
- Oversee and manage the electrical engineering team, which consists of electrical engineers, as well as CAD drafters to produce the deliverables below.
- Oversee the management of 3rd party engineering vendors.
- Provided value engineering and extreme process improvement for long lead items.
- Establish Solar PV basis of design including module selection, string sizing, ground coverage ratio, inverter selection, inverter power factor requirements, inverter loading ratio, and cable sizing.
- Review solar PV systems, including 1-line diagrams and array layouts.
- Demonstrated structural, mechanical, and electrical design skills with the ability to generate accurate, highly detailed construction drawings.
- Consult and coordinate with engineering staff on project layouts and reports, and hold them accountable for the timely submittal of deliverables.
- Prepare or oversee preparation of design packages, milestone submissions, and as-built signoffs.
- Perform energy simulation analysis using PVsyst to help the Finance and Business Development team acquire new projects.
- Lead the team in creating 30% and IFC PVsyst reports.
- Lead design reviews and sign off on ('stamp') final electrical plan sets.
- Coordinate design work with Civil Engineering.
- Coordinate technical activities and designs with the Project Development teams for permitting, title, environmental, and local government agencies.
- Coordinate with Construction staff to complete designs and project plan sets prior to deadlines in order to efficiently schedule Construction activities.
- Have a high degree of familiarity with the National Electric Code regarding PV Solar Systems.
High Voltage Department Supervisor
Duke University
03.2020 - 03.2023
- Coordinate and supervise the execution, completion and inspection of special maintenance, replacement, upgrading, and renovation projects for the university.
- Perform construction phase activities for both internal projects and assigned projects by external consultants working through the designers, consultants, union members, and third party vendors.
- Provide technical assistance during planning proposed projects as needed.
- Coordinate facility assessments with appropriate Engineering and Operations personnel to track capital projects and other infrastructure projects; maintain appropriate database on projects to insure up-to-date information regarding status to include budget requirements and impact.
FACTS Project Lead Engineer
ABB Inc.
03.2018 - 10.2020
- Technical lead for all engineering activities in multiple project assignments ranging from $25M to $105M.
- Efficiently managed global project teams for seamless project execution.
- Executed assignments using established solutions while acting as primary technical interface with all project stakeholders like customers, contractors, and suppliers.
- Ensured that activities related to all engineering disciplines within the project are efficiently and cost-effectively executed in accordance with contract specifications, quality standards and safety requirements.
- Responsible for creating, reviewing, tracking and responding to Engineering Change Requests, Requests for Information, Non-Conformances, etc.
- Overseen the creation of subcontracts and manages subcontractors jointly with other involved functions, including supply chain, subcontract management and Field Operations.
- Provided prompt, open and honest internal and external feedback to the project engineering team and management, and communicate information in a timely manner.
- Supervised project staff of engineers and designers, and managed and coordinated the technical design with all engineers, both internal and outsourced engineering firm resources.
HVDC Project Engineer
ABB Inc.
01.2016 - 03.2018
- Developed technical Requirement and Specifications for HVDC station's auxiliary equipment.
- Organized Request For Proposals and bid selection process for HVAC system, Fire Detection System, and other engineering sub-contracting services.
- Acted as a critical time interim Project Lead to lead the engineering team to deliver various discipline engineering drawings on time to meet the complex payment milestone.
- Meticulously assisted Project Manager to manage HVDC projects ranging from $28M to $250M.
- Coordinated with various engineering subcontractors, established schedules, and supervised the engineering design processes.
- Provided on-site commissioning support for HVDC converter station.
- Supported HVDC tender process by providing electromechanical engineering estimates.
- Leading electromechanical station design and supervising the subcontractor's project design execution.
- Supported HVDC service team with customer's maintenance projects.
Substation Engineer
Alliant Energy Corp Inc.
05.2014 - 01.2016
- Resourcefully engineered retrofit and green-site 69/15kV substation projects involving below and above grade work.
- Coordinated with external entities like Consultants, Vendors, Transmission Companies and Contractors for project execution at various stages.
- Designed substation controls and protection schemes to integrate Acciona Wind Power's 3 MW wind turbines at various distribution system locations.
- Proactively corresponded with internal System Protection, Planning, Standards, Drafting and Tele-Communication teams to deliver reliable substation design.
- Promptly identified and planned project equipment and material procurement.
- Supported construction crew and contractors by answering various technical questions in regards to scope of work and construction.
- Organized and managed project drawings and documentation for record/asset management.
Planning Engineer
Alliant Energy Corp Inc.
12.2011 - 05.2014
- Efficiently modeled and studied 4kV- 69kV class power systems for normal and contingency operations.
- Prepared cost estimates, evaluated and determined best value plan for distribution and substation projects on time.
- Performed level 4 wind generation interconnection feasibility and system impact studies.
- Proficiently planned, supported, and coordinated transmission and distribution system operating voltage conversion work.
- Provided technical support to substation engineering, protection engineering and distribution engineering for the purpose of system planning.
- Scoped project work requests, developed interconnect agreement terms, coordinated electrical distribution work with other utilities and assessed internal large capital investment.
Graduate Research Assistant
WVU
05.2009 - 08.2011
- Developed peak demand reduction algorithm to improve the distribution system performance.
- Research on different power system analysis tools like DEW, power world simulator, MATPOWER, Milsoft, OpenDSS.
- Research on present smart grid technologies in the market and presenting that to the group for their respective research development and implementation.
Engineering Intern
SSVEC
05.2010 - 08.2010
- Analyzed and provided recommendations on phase balancing for 25 distribution systems and coordinated construction work plans.
- Performed load flow and voltage drop analysis on all the 25 substations.
- Assisting the group with small generators interconnection procedures and demand side management project.
Education
Master of Science - Electrical Engineering, Power Systems Engineering
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV08.2011
Skills
- Project management
- Mentoring and coaching
- Engineering strategy
- BESS solutions
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Strategic hiring
- Technical leadership
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Electrical engineering
- SOP
- Power World Simulator, PSSE, DEW
- PVSyst
- CASCADE
- CDEGS, WinIGS
- Microstation, ArcFM'
- MS Office suite
- Milsoft, SynerGEE
- MATLAB/Simulink
- Visio, Latex
- IEEE, NERC, NEC, NEMA, ANSI
Affiliations
Encompass-Employee Resource Group at ABB, Chair, 2017-2020
Certification
- Professional Engineer Certification, Iowa Board of Professional Engineers And Licensing
- Responsible Managing Employee for ABB, State of Oregon Contractors Board
- Responsible Managing Employee for ABB, Arizona State General Engineering
- Responsible Managing Officer for ABB, California State General Engineering
- Responsible Managing Employee for Trinity, Arizona General Engineering
- RMO for ABB Unlimited Electrical Cont., Connecticut State Licensing Board
- Unlimited Electrical Cont., NJ State Licensing Board
- Responsible Managing Employee, In process - Nevada General Engineering
- Unlimited Electrical Contractor, NASCLA state exam passed
Community Service
- Advocate for Domestic Violence Victims, Waypoint Services, IA, 2015-2016
- Advocate for Sexual Assault Victims, Riverview Center, IA, 2015-2016
Special Qualifications
- Fast and autonomous learning capability
- Self-motivated
- Good communication skills
- Goal oriented
- Organized
- Accountable
- Reliable
Timeline
VP of Engineering
Novel Energy Solutions
11.2025 - Current
Director for Electrical Engineering
Novel Energy Services
05.2023 - 11.2024
High Voltage Department Supervisor
Duke University
03.2020 - 03.2023
FACTS Project Lead Engineer
ABB Inc.
03.2018 - 10.2020
HVDC Project Engineer
ABB Inc.
01.2016 - 03.2018
Substation Engineer
Alliant Energy Corp Inc.
05.2014 - 01.2016
Planning Engineer
Alliant Energy Corp Inc.
12.2011 - 05.2014
Engineering Intern
SSVEC
05.2010 - 08.2010
Graduate Research Assistant
WVU
05.2009 - 08.2011
Master of Science - Electrical Engineering, Power Systems Engineering
West Virginia University