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I’m Dr.-Ing. Srinivas Ponnaluri, a global technology leader, inventor, and mentor with over 30 years of international experience across Germany, Switzerland, India, and worldwide markets.

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I hold a world‑record portfolio of 1,000+ inventions spanning the full spectrum of power electronics and control — from mobility and energy to digital infrastructure, defence, aerospace, consumer, and industrial technologies.  Many of these breakthroughs surpass the state of the art and validated through thousands of simulations, with potential to transform industries worth billions today and scale into the trillion‑€ range within the next decade.

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🚀 Flagship Impact Across Four Pillars

• 🚆 e-Mobility — Modernized Indian Railways through participation in development at ABB Transportation Switzerland, technology transfer and indigenization; and designed and directed both historic propulsion systems now in operation for over a decade and next‑generation platforms currently in trials.

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• ⚡ Energy & Grid Systems — Invented and implemented some of the world’s earliest digital twin and AI‑based design optimization methods at ABB in Germany and Switzerland, alongside breakthroughs in multilevel converters, UPS, STATCOMs, fuel cell/microturbine systems, defence applications, and industrial platforms.

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• 🏢 SK Consultants — Founded a world‑class innovation ecosystem with a world-record innovation portfolio, advanced regenerative test labs, and AI‑driven design platforms.  Beyond technology, SK Consultants enables firms and nations to rise to global leadership — as demonstrated by bringing India on par with advanced nations in railways modernization and now positioned to take it ahead of all others.​

• 🎓 Education & Mentorship — Achieved academic excellence from IISc Bangalore to RWTH Aachen (PhD “Outstanding”), mentored hundreds of engineers across Europe and India, and built sustainable innovation ecosystems that continue to nurture the next generation of leaders.

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🧠 Architect of Scalable Innovation

From early breakthroughs in digital twins and design automation to building one of the world’s most prolific invention pipelines, my work bridges fundamental research with industrial deployment — powering next-generation innovation across sectors.

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👔 Global Executive & Leadership Experience

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As Global CTO, Head of Global R&D, Board Member, CEO, and Founder, I have directed €40M+ budgets, led 500+ engineers worldwide, and played a pivotal role in scaling organizations from millions to billions.  My leadership spans:

• Strategic Growth — Defined technology roadmaps, aligned R&D with corporate goals, and positioned innovation as a multi‑billion‑euro growth driver.

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• Organizational Impact — Significantly contributed to scaling Medha from ₹2B to ₹30B turnover through next generation traction platforms; achieved 60% revenue growth and 50% profit increase at TROLEX; and at Crompton Greaves, transformed global R&D performance by saving ₹150M, reducing future costs by ₹750M, and raising on‑time project delivery to >90%.

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• Infrastructure & Labs — Established multi‑MW regenerative test labs and advanced R&D centres to validate next‑generation propulsion, grid, and energy systems.

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• Innovation Culture — Introduced TRIZ, IoT, and digitalization initiatives; built platform‑based R&D systems; implemented Stage‑Gate/KPI frameworks achieving >90% on‑time project delivery.

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• People & Ecosystem — Mentored hundreds of engineers and managers, launched the Young Researchers Program, and built sustainable innovation ecosystems across Europe and India.

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• Governance & Global Influence — Served in board‑level roles, managed P&L responsibility, guided acquisitions and collaborations, and chaired India’s LVDC Standardization Committee.

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​​🎓 Mentor & ecosystem builder

I have trained hundreds of engineers, suppliers, customers, and R&D leaders; guided BE, ME, and PhD students in Germany, Switzerland (ETH Zurich), and India; and launched programs that cultivate the next generation of entrepreneurial, critical‑thinking engineers.

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🌐 Vision at SK Consultants
At SK Consultants, I connect fundamental research with large-scale deployment, helping organizations:

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• Accelerate innovation

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• Reduce costs

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• Build indigenous capabilities

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• Achieve sustainable growth

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My mission is to pioneer technologies that align with global 2050 environmental goals, while enabling industries to thrive in markets projected to exceed €5 trillion within the next decade.

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​🚀 Flagship Contributions & Projects

Over three decades, I have pioneered world‑firsts in power electronics — from digital twins and multilevel converters to record‑breaking invention pipelines.  My work spans mobility, energy, digital infrastructure, defence, aerospace, and consumer technologies, consistently bridging fundamental research with industrial deployment.  By combining deep technical innovation with ecosystem building and strategic advisory, I have enabled organizations and nations to leapfrog generations of technology and establish global leadership.

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🚆 Mobility – Indian Railways & Global Technology Transfer

Transforming Indian Railways and global traction systems through pioneering propulsion and AI‑based design tools.

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Innovation Domains

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• Early Modernization (1994–97, ABB Transportation/Adtranz, Switzerland): Sole Indian engineer in the core team pioneering three‑phase AC locomotive propulsion with GTO‑based traction converters for Indian Railways.  Authored key control modules, invented harmonic rejection control, and applied MATLAB/Simulink with RTS for advanced validation.  Later guided indigenization in India, laying the foundation for long‑term modernization and national capability.

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• Global Breakthrough (2007, ABB Switzerland): Preliminary design‑based offer enabled the first‑ever IGBT traction converter order in India, marking the nation’s transition from GTO to IGBT technology.

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• Engineering Leadership (2007–10, Bombardier Switzerland): Directed global engineering outsourcing including Indian Railways’ IGBT upgrade tasks, boosting collaboration and raising outsourcing efficiency by 40% with significant gains in and customer satisfaction; as Senior Specialist (Technical VP level) developed AI‑based ESC tool for DC loco, harmonized existing global tools.

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• Indigenous Transition (2011–12): At Medha, I directed the transition to IGBT‑based traction converters in India, delivering 19 projects across AC and diesel locomotives, EMUs, DEMUs, and scaling Medha’s turnover from ₹2B to ₹30B.

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• Next‑Gen Propulsion (2019–21): Spearheaded a next‑generation propulsion system integrating traction, auxiliary, hotel load, and battery charging converters on advanced scalable platforms, validated through real‑time simulation and 5 MW regenerative labs.

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• Ongoing Innovation (2021–Present): With proprietary design frameworks and a world‑record 1,000+ inventions, I continue to deliver solutions that surpass the state of the art, positioning partners for global leadership in e‑mobility and across multiple domains.​​

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⚡ Energy & Grid Systems – Germany & Switzerland

Inventing digital twins, multilevel converters, and grid systems decades ahead of their time.

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Innovation Domains

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• Distributed Generation & UPS Innovation (1999–2001, ABB CRC Germany): Invented active damping, harmonic rejection, and active commutation methods for seamless grid/island transitions with ultra‑fast switching (<1 ms grid→UPS, near‑instant UPS→grid).  Designed and built ABB’s first Distributed Resource prototype with islanding/UPS functionality.

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• Digital Twin & AI‑Based Design Optimization (1999–2001, ABB Germany; adopted 2002–2007 in ABB Switzerland):  Invented and implemented the world’s first digital twin of a three‑phase converter by embedding real‑time models directly into controllers to predict stresses, thermal performance, and lifetime.  Created an AI‑driven design & analysis tool I created in MATLAB that enabled accurate end‑to‑end system modelling and laid the foundation for multi‑objective optimization routines; later adopted and scaled further at ABB Switzerland, this work anticipated today’s AI‑enabled engineering platforms by ecades.

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• Multilevel Converters & Grid Applications:  Invented ~30 multilevel and other converter topologies and advanced control methods, forming the basis of ABB’s PCS family for STATCOMs, active filters, and frequency converters.  Embedded active damping and harmonic rejection into these platforms, while also developing an AI‑based MATLAB design tool with GUI built on my core algorithms, adopted in ABB Switzerland and later influencing global design practices.

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• Microturbine & Fuel Cell Systems: Designed a 70,000 rpm microturbine converter system with black‑start capability and islanding operation.  Led a 1.2 MW fuel cell grid interface project for General Motors USA, enabling dynamic vehicle load emulation and grid integration.

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• Defence & Naval Applications: Directed a 5 MW shipboard power converter study for the US Navy with Rolls Royce USA, extending ABB’s expertise into marine and defence domains.

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Ecosystem & Strategy

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• European Standards Leadership: Represented ABB in the EU MODTRAIN/MODPOWER initiative, defining traction converter standards for next‑generation European high‑speed trains.

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• Academic Collaborations: Partnered with ETH Zurich and European universities, mentoring master’s and PhD students, and transferring inventions into industrial platforms.

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​​🏢 SK Consultants – Innovation Ecosystem & World‑Record Inventions (2015–Present)

Building an innovation ecosystem with 1,000+ inventions and world‑record R&D velocity.

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Innovation Domains

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• Energy & Grid Systems: Advanced solid‑state transformers, HVDC/MVDC/LVDC integration, renewable tie‑ins, and next‑generation UPS systems, with industrial deployment including traction converters and control systems now under trials, plus 1 MW and 5 MW regenerative test facilities for large‑scale validation.

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• Digital Infrastructure & AI: Delivered power systems for data centres and telecom platforms, while pioneering AI‑driven design automation, real‑time digital twins, and planning a new Generative AI platform with a structured series of projects to advance engineering innovation well into the coming decades.

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• Defence & Aerospace: Developed ruggedized converters, directed‑energy systems, and high‑power amplifiers for mission‑critical applications, extending innovation pipelines into national security and aerospace domains.

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• Consumer & Industrial: Scaled advanced R&D into mass‑market adoption through innovations such as BLDC fans, drives, and appliances, bridging cutting‑edge invention with industrial and consumer ecosystems.

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Ecosystem & Strategy

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• Foundation: Established SK Consultants to address structural gaps in India’s high‑end R&D ecosystem, offering global innovation, technology transfer, and leadership.​

• World‑Record Invention Pipeline: Generated 1,000+ inventions across mobility, energy, digital infrastructure, defence, and consumer technologies — many surpassing the state of the art — sustaining a record pace of over one invention per day for several years.

• Ecosystem Building: Mentored hundreds of engineers, suppliers, and students; enabled suppliers through FEA validation and design transfer; created sustainable innovation cultures.

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• Strategic Advisory: Guided organizations on acquisitions, collaborations, R&D restructuring, and long‑term technology strategy, bridging fundamental research with industrial deployment.

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• Commercialization Models: Offered IP through flexible licensing (royalty‑based, upfront, or hybrid), enabling win‑win commercialization and global competitiveness.​

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🎓 Education & Mentorship

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Academic Excellence

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• PhD (Dr.-Ing.), RWTH Aachen, Germany: Awarded the highest possible grade (“Outstanding”) for pioneering research in power electronics.

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• ME, IISc Bangalore, India: Top scorer in Power Electronics & Drives; built one of the country’s first IGBT inverters and invented a novel rotor time‑constant adaptation method for vector‑controlled induction motors.

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• GATE: Achieved 99.7 percentile, ranking among the top scorers nationwide, including international participants.

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• BE, BIT Ravishankar University Raipur, India: University Topper & Gold Medallist.

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Mentorship & Ecosystem Building

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• Mentored hundreds of engineers and students across Germany, Switzerland, and India.

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• Built sustainable innovation ecosystems by transferring knowledge, guiding research, and nurturing the next generation of leaders.

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🏆 Landmark Achievements​

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Innovation & Technology

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• AI‑Driven Design Automation (1999–01): Developed one of the world’s first generalized AI‑based design and analysis tools and real‑time digital twins, anticipating today’s AI‑enabled engineering platforms by decades.

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• Innovation Discipline & Scale: Established a repeatable framework enabling sustained invention at scale — from 100+ inventions (2015–19) to today’s ongoing pipeline of 1,000+ with several breakthroughs across multiple domains.

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Impact & Recognition

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• Commercial Impact: Delivered hundreds of millions in cost savings through design optimization, platform‑based R&D, and scalable deployment of advanced converter technologies.

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• Global Recognition: Presented at international and national conferences, reviewed IEEE Transactions, Chair of India’s LVDC Standardization Committee and Session Chair at global forums, shaping both technical standards and industry direction.​

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​⚙️ Technical Expertise

My expertise has been built through decades of practice and original inventions, driven by a passion to push boundaries and create new and better technologies.  This has carried me from fundamental research to industrial deployment, enabling suppliers, students, and organizations to achieve breakthroughs alongside me.

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• E‑Mobility: Traction converters, onboard chargers, propulsion systems, VCU, DDU, integrated powertrains.

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• Renewable Energy & Infrastructure: Energy storage, HVDC/MVDC/LVDC, STATCOMs, UPS, SSTs, charging infrastructure.

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• Advanced Topologies: Multilevel, resonant, quasi‑resonant, Vienna rectifiers, soft switching, ARCP, Dual Active Bridges.

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• AI & Digital Twins: Early pioneer of AI‑driven design automation and real‑time digital twin modelling.

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• Software & Simulation: MATLAB/Simulink, dSPACE, TI DSPs, C/C++, embedded control, SW architecture for closed loop control and event based loggic with communication in VCU.

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• Electrical Machines: PM synchronous motors, induction motors, transformers

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• Busbars & Cold Plates: Original inventions in busbar systems and cold‑plate thermal management, including heatsink optimization through FEA analysis and validation

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👔 Management & Leadership Expertise

My leadership has been built through decades of global executive roles, where I combined strategic vision with hands‑on execution.  I have directed organizations at scale, managed multi‑million‑euro budgets, and built high‑performing teams globally.

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• Executive Roles: Global CTO & Head of R&D (€2B firm), CEO & Whole‑Time Director, General Manager of Power Electronics, Global Manager for Engineering Outsourcing, and Founder of SK Consultants.

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• Strategic Management: Defined vision & mission, aligned R&D with corporate goals, created technology roadmaps, and positioned R&D as a billion‑euro growth enabler.

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• Financial Leadership: Managed CapEx/OpEx budgets exceeding €40M, delivered €1M+ in savings, and enabled multi‑billion‑euro opportunities through strategic planning.

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• Organizational Growth: Scaled Medha Servo from ₹2B to ₹30B turnover; achieved 60% revenue growth and 50% profit increase at TROLEX; positioned Crompton Greaves R&D for $1B new business.

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• Global Operations: Directed 500+ engineers across multiple countries, harmonized global processes, and established advanced R&D centres and multi‑MW test labs.

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• Innovation Culture: Introduced TRIZ, IoT, and digitalization initiatives; built platform‑based R&D systems; implemented StageGate/KPI frameworks achieving >90% on‑time project delivery.

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• People Leadership: Interviewed, recruited, and mentored hundreds of engineers and managers; launched Young Researchers Program; built sustainable innovation ecosystems.

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• Governance & Board Roles: Experienced in P&L responsibility, board‑level decision‑making, acquisitions, collaborations, and long‑term technology strategy.

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• Global Influence: Collaborated with policymakers, chaired India’s LVDC Standardization Committee, and represented organizations at international forums.

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🌐 Global Exposure

• ~15 years in Switzerland and Germany, 15+ years in India, complemented by worldwide collaborations.

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• Multilingual: English, German, Hindi, Telugu.

 

🤝 Partnerships

Alongside my work with investors, customers, suppliers, OEMs, and industry innovators, I have collaborated with universities, research institutions, and government agencies. These collaborations enabled validation of breakthrough technologies, alignment with national and international priorities, and scaling of solutions that delivered real‑world impact.

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🌟 Vision

At SK Consultants, my mission is to pioneer sustainable technologies that meet global 2050 environmental goals while enabling industries to thrive.  By combining deep technical expertise, strategic leadership, and a passion for mentorship, I aim to empower the next generation of engineers and innovators to shape a cleaner, smarter, and more connected world.

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💼 Career Opportunities

In addition to leading SK Consultants, I am open to board‑level and top management roles that encompass governance and senior leadership responsibilities.  By combining roles often split across multiple executives, I deliver greater value and eliminate overlap.  I lead junior and middle management directly where they add value and eliminate additional unnecessary layers, keeping structures lean and expanding leadership only when it contributes clear strategic advantage.  This flexible leadership model — which I adopted long before industry shifts driven by AI — ensures cohesive direction, faster execution, and optimized resources. With a sustained record of inventions that surpass the state of the art, I enable organizations to gain significant advantage and position themselves as global leaders in their domains.

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SK Consultants: Practical Innovation · Technology · Design · Research