Greg Linder: Versatile Innovator

This presents a sampling of my capabilities as an engineer. The information is not intended to be a technical description of the projects, but merely a brief description of the type of engineering and the work carried out.

If you have an interesting engineering problem that needs a versatile and skilled engineer, I can probably help you out. Feel free to get in touch with me via email so I can solve your engineering problem.

Solar and Wind Engineering

This section discusses some of my innovative contributions to the less biologically-based aspects of renewable energy, notably solar and wind.

Solar Controls Sun Trackers Sunswift II/III OpenADR
Solar Telemetry Equipment Low budget tracker accuracy test The UNSW Sunswift II and III. Open Automatic Demand Reseponse

The MS Thesis: Failure Analysis and Smart Grid Control Protocols for Anaerobic Digesters

I am one of very few people who received an MS in Electrical Engineering for a project which involved a great deal of manure shoveling, welding, and plumbing, in addition to reading generation interconnection manuals and learning about industrial control.

This thesis is the culmination of my two years at Clarkson, the tale of which is further discussed in the Digester Development projects below. When printed, it is 2^8 pages long. Anaerobic digesters, although dirty in the most wholesome manner, are a viable renewable energy technology Properly designed, they can provide baseload power that is competitive with coal for certain locations. Read the Thesis to find out more.

HTML Version PDF Version
HTML thesis PDF Version of thesis

The Clarkson Anaerobic Digesters

When looking for a project on which I could work to earn my MSEE, my concerns were to find a project which would be interesting and hands on, while also requiring that I learn about industrial control and utility interfacing for SCADA control. I originally went to Clarkson to study distributed generation interconnection requirements and utility dispatch control. Well, it turns out I got that, and so much more, in my key role in the construction and operation of two research digesters.

When working on this project, I never actually signed up to be the project manager, although I ended up taking on that role when we were working the long hard hours to get the Version 2 digester up and running. This project, because of it's overall complexity (water heating loops, electrical wiring, welding, pumping, PLC programming, HMI design) and the great people I had working with me is one of my all-time favorites.

The Clarkson Digester: Version 2

Instructions Introduction Death Resurrection Electrical
Instruction manual Introduction V2 digester Death of the old digester Resurrection of the digester More on the electrical system

The Clarkson Digester: Version 1

Introduction Electrics Gas System Control and DAQ Mechanical Work The Manure Pump
Introduction Electric System Digester Gas System Digester contol and DAQ system Wrenching on the digester Guillaume's Pump

Field Experience

I believe that it is entirely important for engineers to get out in the field, and fix, install, or repair equipment that they design. This is not always possible, but that does not diminish the importance of engineering things that are straightforward to operate and repair by people who are not formally trained as engineers.

Pursuant to this, and to learn about building integration and lighting control systems, I chose to work for Chicago Spotlight, a locally owned company that provides system installation, rental, rigging, and other services to the entertainment industry. I was hired as a field service engineer, and used the experience to improve the hardware I design, having a deeper appreciation of the kinds of tactics used by field service and installation people who often work under huge time pressures to get things finished.

Chicago Spotlight!
Chicago Spotlight.

Embedded Systems Programming

Here are some examples of my embedded systems work. Much of my more recent work has been using the PIC platform, because I find their peripheral assortment to be highly useful. I also have experience with 8052 and MSP430 devices. Much of my work has been in Assembly or C, depending on the real-time requirements of the project.

HotBox Dataloggers Motor Drive BattEQ Singing Fish
The SSES hotbox. The SSES dataloggers. The 2004-2005 FEC project. The BattEQ prototype. The Fish.

Engineering Integration

Sometimes projects just don't fit into any particular category. The projects here involved technologies not typical to an electrical engineer, including PLC integration with hot-tub accessories to test batteries, and using an X-ray diffraction rig to surface platinum for surface chemistry. These projects, like the digester, were mostly designed, assembled, and tested by me, with a lot of help by other people who know more than I do about specific tasks at hand.

Battery Spa X-Ray Grinder RF Tester
The 2004-2005 FEC project. The X-ray grinding attachment. The Fermilab RF Tester.

Unique Repairs and Fun Projects

No electrical engineer could be complete without a section of bizarre and interesting projects to tinker with in their free time. Most of my test equipment is older equipment that needs fixing and repair, but that's not the cool stuff. Here's some neat things that I have fixed for other people or myself.

Sony CRT Barco LCD SRDC Refit
The big Sony CRT projector. The BIG Barco LCD projector. The SRDC refit project.

Mechanical Diversions

There's more to life that electrons. This section includes a sampling of my more mechanically-themed projects.

Turret Lathe Motorized Wall Test Case Motorcycle Minizooms
The Lathe. Motorized wall Portable PV test case SECA 750 motorcycle Minizoom restoration