About

Born in Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil, Mariana de Souza holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) and currently serves as a Research Fellow at INESC TEC under the AI4REALNET project. Her interest in electrical power systems, lead her to pursue internships and research opportunities in this field.

Mariana's internship at ANEEL, the Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency, provided hands-on experience in renewable energy and the Brazilian electricity sector. She assisted in analysing and granting authorization for generation projects, gaining insights into grid code analysis and discussions. Her participation in meetings with sector representatives further broadened her understanding of the industry.

Under the CNPQ scholarship, Mariana conducted research as an Undergraduate Researcher at the Electrical Systems Planning Laboratory. Her project focused on developing a faster power flow algorithm for real-time simulations of distribution networks using recursion and parallel programming.

Mariana's internship at Neoenergia's Transmission System Operation Center (TSO) Center provided valuable insights into power systems transmission operations. She followed the real-time operation of the transmission system, underwent training on power systems transmission operations, and conducted power systems studies of Neoenergia power lines and equipment. This internship equipped her with a deeper understanding of equipment behavior and real-time operation challenges.

Mariana's aspiration to pursue a PhD in Sustainable Energy Systems from her desire to gain in-depth knowledge of electrical power systems. She believes that this opportunity will enhance her engineering skills and make her a more capable contributor to addressing energy challenges.