Saroj K. Joshi, P.E., Ph.D., an electrical engineer, has been hired as chief technical officer for iDemand Energy Storage (iDES3), based in Mira Mesa, California.
In this position, Joshi, 60, will direct and oversee all engineering aspects of the company’s manufacture of sustainable energy storage systems for residential and commercial buildings. At present, iDES3, helmed by Walter Ellard and Raymond Trejo, has 11 employees.
A native of Nepal, he holds three degrees in electrical engineering – a doctorate from Kiev Polytechnic Institute, Ukraine, in 1986, master’s from Zaparozheye University, Ukraine in 1982, and an undergraduate degree from the Engineering Institute of Nepal in 1975.
He immigrated to the United States in 1990. Prior to joining iDES3, he ran S & P Electrical Engineering Consulting Inc. in San Diego for 12 years. His experience includes a variety of recent in-state solar energy projects, ranging from 30kW to 200-plus kW in scope, from San Diego to Eureka.
He has also designed electrical distribution systems for buildings on Naval, Marine and Air Force bases in California. His commercial projects include electrical installations for such companies as Costo and Boston Market, as well as a variety of stores at Westfield Corp. shopping malls. His public projects include schools and hospitals.
On the international front, he designed a photovoltaic (PV) system incorporating battery storage for residential and commercial uses in Nepal that eliminates the need for users to have to purchase LPG gas – currently the most prevalent and expensive power source.
“Nepal is stepped in an energy crisis,” Joshi said, “Although there is a huge potential for hydropower, it cannot be fully exploited because of lack of funding. Therefore, homes and businesses are allotted only a few hours of power at a time. This is the case in the big cities as well as villages.
“But with my PV system, and storage units, people can use their stoves, refrigerators, washers and driers, laptops and computers, fans, watch TV, charge cell phones and electrical water pumps. To date my system, which was launched a year ago is in use in 30 homes and at least two businesses. All without paying electric bills.”
