Poynt Energy

Poynt Energy is a Colorado-based startup that is active in two directions. One direction focuses on cutting-edge R&D work to develop of enabling technologies that have the potential to transform the extant power grid into a low-carbon, digitized, and decentralized power grid. A second direction provides consulting services to the power industry in the form of grid studies and science-based optimal solutions. The R&D direction was originally spun-off from the scientific research developed at the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI), a joint institute between the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the consulting direction was later formed. This organization operates as an independent entity.

Poynt Energy offers solutions and studies to address challenges that power industry faces related to modeling, plannig, optimization, management, dynamics, stability, and control of electric power and energy systems to enhance the reliability, security, and resiliency of energy delivery, including problems related to the integration of inverter-based resources (solar, wind, and battery) and electric vehicles, electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulations, system oscillations and grid strength, grid automation and modernization, and microgrids.

The name of our company, "Poynt Energy" is inspired by the pioneering work of John Henry Poynting who was an English physicist and the developer of Poynting theorem. Poynting theorem is an extension of Maxwell's equations and explains the foundational science behind the energy transfer in power systems. Maxwell's equations explain that the electromagnetic field, where energy is stored, is composed of both electric and magnetic field vectors, E and H, respectively, that are inseparable and lie in a plane which is transverse to the axis of energy propagation. The Poynting vector, S =E×H, quantifies the amount of power that leaves the surface in which the energy is stored and is equivalent to the negative of the work done on the charges within the volume minus the losses. The Poynting theorem links Maxwell's laws of electromagnetism to Kirchhoff's laws of circuit theory, which form the basis for the power flow equations used in electric power networks.

Our Experts

Amir Sajadi is an expert in electric power system modeling and planning with 10+ years of experience, including planning for both the Eastern and Western Interconnections. Amir is an advisor to Latimer Control, as he co-invented of their core control technology that intelligently manages solar power plants, and an Expert Fellow with GridLab Inc., supporting the assessment and deployment of new grid-enhancing technologies.

Amir researches the modern power systems at CU Boulder, also a research affiliate with the NREL, engaged in advanced research to not only drive forward technological developments, but also help resolve the practical problems of the power industry, as they adapt to the new technology. He received his Ph.D. degree in Systems and Control Engineering from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH. His work has produced 3 patents, 66 technical papers and industrial reports. He serves as an Associate Editor of IEEE Systems Journal and a Guest Editor for a Special Issue of Elsevier Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems on Distributed Energy Resources and Microgrids for Energy Supply of Data Centers. He is the U.S. Representative in CIGRE WG C2.45 - ”estimation, evaluation and provision of power system inertia in networks with a high share of renewable generation”, and involved in a number of working groups and task forces in industry.

Besides his engagement in technological R&D and system integration and planning studies, he previously worked as Senior Manager of Grid Modernization with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) where he consulted utilities for automation of their processes and upgrading their control room technologies. He also has experience in product development, having previously worked as the Senior Manager of Modeling and Controls at Span.io, a startup with $231M in investment that develops software and hardware products for virtual power plants.

Steven Sutton is a subject matter expert in DevOps, Data Science, and Prototyping with 15+ years of experience, including developing systems and equipment for Mayo Clinic, NFL, Universal Pictures, and Pepsi. The areas of his expertise span across python programming, machine learning, prototyping, fabrication, design-for-manufacture, project management, and systems engineering. He holds 2 patents and had built dozens of proprietary systems that are still working seamlessly today.

Steven is the Principal Engineer at Everyday Future Consulting, LLC where he leads teams to solve complex problems, refactor legacy systems, and design and build new platforms from scratch.

Before moving into Software Engineering and Data Science, he worked as a Technical Manager in the carpet manufacturing industry, supporting 16 manufacturing lines with control systems engineering, new sensor development, process optimization, and data analysis. He was also President of the Freeside Atlanta Makerspace for 2 years, where he quadrupled membership and developed a federation of educational spaces in Atlanta.

Randel Pilo has invested his career for nearly 25 years as a practicing applied economist. The areas of his expertise are: Regulatory economics; Strategic insight, policy and issue analysis related to public electric utility matters; Wholesale energy market monitoring and advising; Professional training for state regulators and consumer advocates; Testimony in contested-case proceedings on avoided costs, impacts on economic development, and general regulatory policy; and Legislative testimony on the benefits of using competition for the development of transmission projects in the MISO footprint.

Randel is an independent economist and principal at Econwerks LLC. Econwerks LLC's client list includes a large public utility holding company developing large-scale solar facilities in the Upper Midwest; several industrial electric energy user groups and associations; outside legal counsel and consultants working with a large data center development in Wisconsin. Randel has also conducted professional training on proper regulation of natural monopoly for the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Staff Subcommittee on Accounting and Finance and the state staff who are members of the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates NASUCA.

Randel completed his PhD graduate work in Economics, sans dissertation, at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. His MA thesis was written for Nobel Laureate Lawrence Klein. Randel is a member of the American Economic Association, the National Association of Business Economists, the American Numismatics Association, and Phi Beta Kappa Society.

Before his consulting career, Randel worked for the State of Wisconsin at the Department of Commerce and the Public Service Commission, retiring after 38 years of public service as the Director of Bureau of Energy Markets and Electric Infrastructure.

Naser Shekarian brings in a rich, diverse background in business intelligence, product development, and data analytics, having worked in both data-oriented research and the e-commerce industry. His expertise lies in blending technical insights with business strategies to drive innovation and optimize processes.

Naser has several years of experience in using data-driven tools such as SQL Server, Tableau, Power BI, and Python language to analyze data related to business performance, corporate governance, organizational resilience, and workplace safety. In industry, he held roles in product development and project management, contributing to the company's strategic growth through data integration, web development, and business operations.

Naser is a PhD candidate in Computer Science and Information Systems at the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) Business School.