Though Renewable Energy is the holy grail of a cleaner future, executing this vision requires addressing several challenges on our path towards a greener world!
Aniket Baregama, our next pathbreaker, works as Deputy Manager (Portfolio Planning & Intelligence) for the Energy Markets Group at ReNew, one of India’s leading renewable energy companies, focused on developing and operating clean energy projects like solar, wind and hydroelectric power.
Aniket talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about the significance of energy systems modeling, which is widely used to simulate and optimize energy markets for various regions, analyze energy demand/supply/prices that helps energy companies and governments understand how to plan energy production as well as integrate renewable energy.
For students, building a career takes time and it’s important to focus on growing step by step. Nothing happens overnight !
Aniket, can you share your background with our young readers?
I grew up in a city called Udaipur, in the state of Rajasthan. Ever since I was a child, I loved learning how things worked. My parents were always supportive and they encouraged me to study hard and explore my interests. My father is a government employee and my mother is a B.Ed.-college principal. Their belief in education shaped my early years.
In school, I was interested in science and technology. I liked taking part in extracurricular activities like playing music, especially the keyboard and harmonica. I also enjoyed sports like swimming and trekking. These experiences not only made me curious about how technology could be used in everyday life but also taught me discipline and the importance of balancing work and life.
What did you do for graduation/post-graduation?
For my undergraduate studies, I chose to study Electronics and Communication Engineering at SPSU in Udaipur. This was a field that allowed me to dive deeper into how electronic systems work. After that, I pursued my master’s degree (M.Tech.) in Energy Systems (Electrical Engineering) at Nirma University in Ahmedabad. During my post-graduation, I became more interested in energy, especially renewable energy and how we can use technology to make energy systems more efficient and environmentally friendly.
What were some of the key influences that led you to such an offbeat, unconventional and cool career in Energy Modeling?
Growing up, I was always curious about things like sustainability and renewable energy systems. This curiosity made me explore engineering as a field.
I had great teachers and mentors who encouraged me to think about real-world problems, especially in the field of energy. They helped me see the importance of energy for the future and how technology could improve the way we use it.
One turning point was during my master’s, where I worked on energy systems modelling. This experience helped me understand the practical side of what I was studying and how it could be applied in the industries.
When I started working on real-world projects, like analyzing the impact of renewable energy on power grids, it was clear to me that I had found my interest in work. From there, I worked in different roles in the energy sector, helping governments and companies in solving complex energy problems.
These experiences helped me realize that I wanted to build a career in the energy sector, focusing on making energy systems more efficient and sustainable.
How did you plan the steps to get into the career you wanted? Or how did you make a transition to a new career?
I didn’t have everything figured out right from the start. But, here’s how my journey unfolded:
I always kept the big picture in mind such as learning solutions to energy problems and making systems more sustainable. My goal was to combine my technical skills with industry applications to be relevant to make an impact in the field of clean energy.
I studied Electronics and Communication Engineering for my bachelor’s and then specialized in Energy Systems for my master’s. I also earned certifications like Certified Energy Manager (CEM) to sharpen my skills.
My first big role was at Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute (GERMI, Ahmedabad), where I worked on solar energy and electric vehicles. This gave me a solid understanding of how policies and technologies work together.
At GERMI, I worked as a Project Officer – Policy Analyst, where I handled both technical and policy-driven responsibilities. I conducted research on solar energy, EVs and emerging technologies, developed project proposals and analyzed power systems. My role involved both modeling energy solutions and collaborating with stakeholders to influence energy regulations with policy development.
I then joined CSTEP (Bangalore) as an analyst, working on long-term energy planning and helping companies manage energy resources efficiently.
CSTEP is an independent research organization that provides strategic advisory and policy recommendations in areas like energy, climate change and sustainability. They work with government agencies, sectorial companies and international organizations to promote clean technology and energy transitions.
At CSTEP, I worked as a Senior Analyst, focusing on power system modeling, renewable energy markets and providing strategic guidance to government and private entities on regulatory, operational and economic aspects of the energy sector. This helps the stakeholder in shapeing clean energy policies and long-term energy planning.
After that, at Energy Exemplar (Pune), I got to work with energy system modeling software like PLEXOS, which helped me understand how to optimize energy use worldwide.
At Energy Exemplar, my role was heavily focused on energy system modeling using a software called PLEXOS, which is widely used to simulate and optimize energy markets. I worked on modeling power systems for various regions, analyzing energy demand, supply, and prices. My work involved running simulations that help energy companies and governments understand how to plan energy production, integrate renewable energy, and optimize the use of resources like electricity, natural gas and even emerging technologies like electric vehicles and battery storage. I also provided mentorship to my colleagues and training on PLEXOS fundamentals to our clients.
The real-world applications of my work at Energy Exemplar include optimizing how energy is produced and consumed, improving grid reliability and planning for future energy needs. For instance, I helped companies to plan for renewable energy integration and evaluate the best times to use different types of energy sources to meet demand efficiently. This helps reduce costs and ensures a stable energy supply, which is critical for maintaining reliable power grids and advancing clean energy goals.
Energy Exemplar is a global leader in energy systems modelling software. They provide solutions like PLEXOS to energy companies, utilities, government agencies and market operators. They serve markets across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, which helps these regions optimize energy production, forecast market prices and plan for the future of energy with a focus on renewables and system efficiency.
Now, as a Deputy Manager at ReNew, I work on large energy projects, focusing on renewable energy portfolio optimization and planning.
Along the way, I met great mentors and professionals who guided me. Building connections helped me discover new opportunities and learn from the best.
I never stopped learning!
I learnt fundamentals through numerous courses on topics like energy, policy and leadership. I also learnt a lot from my team members; from mentors to juniors, everyone has some valuable skills to share. Staying updated has been key to growing in this field.
How did you get your first break?
I got my first big opportunity through a fellowship program at Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute (GERMI). It was through a competitive selection process for recent master’s graduates and I was fortunate to be chosen. After completing the 6-month fellowship, they found that I was a good fit for the team and offered me a permanent position. That’s how I officially started my career in the energy industry.
What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?
Challenge 1: Understanding complex energy systems early in my career.
I spent extra time learning and asking for help from more experienced colleagues.
Challenge 2: Balancing multiple projects at once.
I learned how to prioritize tasks and manage my time better.
Challenge 3: Keeping up with new technologies and trends.
I took online courses and kept learning to stay up-to-date.
Where do you work now? What problems do you solve?
I currently work at ReNew as a Deputy Manager (Portfolio Planning & Intelligence) for Energy Markets Group.
I help in renewable energy portfolio planning for the organization. I also help in making energy markets decisions for the company, using energy system modelling, optimization and analytics tools.
ReNew is one of India’s leading renewable energy companies, focused on developing and operating clean energy projects like solar, wind and hydroelectric power. Their goal is to produce electricity from these renewable sources and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, contributing to a greener and cleaner energy future.
Imagine a city that needs electricity to power homes, schools and hospitals. Traditionally, this power comes from coal or gas, which creates pollution. ReNew builds solar and wind farms that generate electricity using sunlight and wind, which are renewable and don’t harm the environment. My job at ReNew involves managing a portfolio of such energy projects, making sure they operate efficiently and at the right times. I also help the organization to plan for their long-term renewable portfolio using optimization tools like PLEXOS.
For example, if we are planning to integrate solar power into the city’s energy supply, I would analyze how much sunlight the area gets, how the demand for electricity changes throughout the day. Then I analyze, how solar can work with other energy sources like wind or batteries. This helps ensure that even when the sun isn’t shining, people still have clean power.
I also work on forecasting future energy needs and prices, so that ReNew can plan new projects and optimize existing ones. By doing this, we help make sure that clean, renewable energy is available to as many people as possible, while also reducing pollution and keeping costs low.
What skills are required for your role? How did you acquire them?
Skills like energy system modeling, financial analysis and problem-solving are crucial. I learned these through my studies and practical experience during my different roles.
What’s a typical day like?
My day involves analyzing energy data, creating strategies for future projects and working with my team to solve challenges. Sometimes, I even train others on energy systems.
What do you love about this job?
I love that I get to work on projects that are making a real difference, like using clean energy to power homes and businesses. It feels great to know my work is helping the environment.
How does your work benefit society?
My work in renewable energy helps reduce pollution and makes our energy systems more efficient. By using clean energy sources like solar and wind power, we’re helping to build a cleaner, greener future for everyone and for many centuries.
Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you!
One project that’s very close to my heart was when I worked on, assessing the rooftop solar energy potential of Chennai and Hyderabad cities. This project involved creating a strategy to shift the power grid towards using more distributed renewable energy. The work was recognized by the media, government and other critical stakeholders. It felt amazing to contribute to something that would impact millions of people and help make energy cleaner and more affordable for the future.
Your advice to students based on your experience?
Follow what you’re truly interested in. It’s okay if you don’t have everything figured out right away. Keep learning, stay curious and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Building a career takes time and it’s important to focus on growing step by step. Also, always be open to new opportunities. You never know what might lead to something great!
Future Plans?
I plan to continue working in the renewable energy sector, especially focusing on new technologies like green hydrogen and electric vehicles. My goal is to keep helping the world transition to cleaner energy sources and make a positive impact on the environment. Eventually, I’d also like to take on more leadership roles where I can mentor others and guide big energy projects.