Cristopher Sanhueza, MSc, is a Senior Electrical Engineer and Researcher who has authored a series of whitepapers, technical reports, and knowledge contributions in the fields of power system protection, high-voltage testing, renewable energy integration, and large-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
His work, developed across Chile, the United States, and Australia, reflects both technical depth and global applicability, contributing to the advancement of best practices in protection engineering and the integration of emerging energy technologies into high-voltage networks..
Technical Reports & Whitepapers
Documenting global expertise in HV protection, testing, and renewable integration.
2012 – USA/CHILE | BHP Billiton – Mining Pipeline Heating Systems
Role: Designed and installed electrical heat-tracing systems for mining slurry pipeline networks, reducing energy losses and improving reliability.
Impact: Improved efficiency and reduced operational costs in mining transport infrastructure.
2013 – USA/CHILE | Anglo American – Industrial HV Substations
Role: Conducted Omicron-based testing of CTs, VTs, and protection relays in industrial substations supporting mining operations.
Impact: Ensured reliable HV protection for industrial facilities, reducing risk of downtime.
2014 – USA/CHILE | Rail Thickener Heating System – Tailings Pipeline (Thermon, World-First)
Role: Led the design and commissioning of a world-first integrated heating and protection system for a mining tailings pipeline.
Impact: Delivered a pioneering solution improving process stability and energy optimization.
2015 – USA/CHILE | Thermon – Heat-Tracing & HV Protection Integration for BHP/Anglo American
Role: Developed hybrid solutions combining CompuTrace® heat-tracing with HV protection relays.
Impact: Enhanced safety and reliability for large-scale industrial clients.
2016 – Chile | Transelec – Cerro Navia 110 kV Substation
Role: Performed relay coordination and grading studies for a critical HV substation in Santiago.
Impact: Reduced nuisance trips and prepared infrastructure for renewable interconnections.
2017 – Chile | Transelec – Alto Jahuel 220 kV Substation
Role: Executed transformer differential protection (87T) testing and stability checks.
Impact: Improved reliability of major power transformers under renewable load variations.
2018 – Chile | Transelec – Cerro Negro Norte Solar-Hybrid Connection
ole: Implemented IEC 61850 protocols and GOOSE messaging for HV protection and interlocking.
Impact: Enabled smart grid automation and renewable integration into the national grid.
2019 – Chile | Codelco Chuquicamata – Arc-Flash Risk Mitigation
Role: Conducted arc-flash studies under IEEE 1584 and implemented advanced relay settings.
Impact: Improved worker safety and reduced operational risks in one of Chile’s largest mining facilities
2022 – Australia | Diamantina Power Station (QLD, 132 kV Substation)
Role: Led commissioning and HV testing of substation assets.
Impact: Enabled reliable integration of gas and renewable generation into the Queensland grid.
2023 – Australia | WICET (Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal)
Role: Directed relay protection upgrade and secondary testing for HV systems.
Impact: Ensured grid compliance and enhanced reliability of one of Australia’s largest coal export terminals.
2024 – Australia (Adelaide) | CSIRO Renewable Energy Research Facility
Role: Conducted HV testing, protection coordination, and renewable grid-integration studies.
Impact: Advanced Australia’s renewable research capacity with safe and reliable HV systems.
2025 – Australia (Adelaide) | Grid-Scale BESS & HV Testing Program
Role: Led end-to-end HV testing, protection validation, and relay coordination for a 30 MW / 60 MWh BESS.
Impact: Strengthened South Australia’s grid stability and renewable energy transition.
2025 – Australia | Jandakot Bus Depot – EV Charging HV Integration (Perth)
Role: Designed and commissioned HV integration for large-scale electric bus charging infrastructure.
Impact: Enabled sustainable public transport electrification through safe and reliable HV connections.
COMPLETED TECHNICAL STUDIES & SYSTEM ANALYSES
Delivering advanced HV protection, renewable integration, and BESS studies across Chile, USA, and Australia — strengthening critical infrastructure and supporting the global clean energy transition.
2012 – USA/Chile | BHP Billiton – HV Network Studies for Mining Pipeline Heating Systems
Role: Conducted ETAP analyses (short-circuit, motor starting, and protection coordination) for HV systems supplying mining slurry heating pipelines.
Impact: Improved operational reliability of electrical heating infrastructure, reducing downtime and ensuring continuous production.
2013 – USA/Chile | Anglo American – Industrial Substation Protection Studies
Role: Performed fault analysis and relay coordination studies on 69 kV industrial substations supporting mining operations.
Impact: Ensured secure HV protection settings, minimizing risk of outages and optimizing protection selectivity.
2014 – USA/Chile | Rail Thickener Heating System (Thermon, World-First Project)
Role: Led system analysis for an integrated HV heating and protection system, including load flow and energy optimization studies.
Impact: Delivered innovative modeling ensuring stable operation and reduced energy consumption for mining pipelines.
2015 – USA/Chile | Thermon – HV Protection & Coordination for BHP/Anglo Projects
Role: Developed arc-flash hazard studies and relay coordination plans under IEEE 1584 and NFPA 70E for large-scale industrial clients.
Impact: Strengthened safety compliance and protection reliability across multiple HV facilities.
2016 – Chile | Transelec – Cerro Navia 110 kV Substation Studies
Role: Conducted relay coordination and grading studies, along with ETAP short-circuit analysis, to validate HV substation operation in Santiago.
Impact: Reduced nuisance trips and improved infrastructure reliability for renewable interconnection.
2017 – Chile | Transelec – Alto Jahuel 220 kV System Analysis
Role: Executed advanced transformer differential protection studies (87T) and fault simulations using DIgSILENT PowerFactory.
Impact: Improved system stability and ensured reliable integration of major power transformers into the Chilean grid.
2018 – Chile | Transelec – Cerro Negro Norte Solar-Hybrid Grid Connection
Role: Applied IEC 61850 communication studies and load flow simulations for HV/LV integration of solar plants.
Impact: Enabled smart-grid automation and renewable integration, ensuring seamless generation dispatch.
2019 – Chile | Codelco Chuquicamata – Arc-Flash Risk & Mitigation Studies
Role: Conducted comprehensive arc-flash hazard analysis under IEEE 1584, combined with ETAP protection coordination for mining HV substations.
Impact: Enhanced safety, reduced risk of incidents, and improved compliance in one of Chile’s largest mining facilities.
2022 – Australia | Diamantina Power Station (QLD) – HV Substation Studies
Role: Led load flow, short-circuit, and relay coordination studies to support integration of renewable projects into a 132 kV network.
Impact: Enabled reliable HV interconnection and secure operation within the Queensland grid.
2023 – Australia | WICET – Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal (QLD)
Role: Conducted ETAP relay coordination and arc-flash hazard studies under IEEE 1584 to optimize HV network protection.
Impact: Strengthened system reliability and improved safety for one of Australia’s largest coal export terminals.
2024 – Australia (Adelaide) | CSIRO – Renewable Energy Research Facility
Role: Performed system impact studies, including dynamic simulations, renewable penetration analyses, and HV relay coordination.
Impact: Advanced integration of renewable R&D facilities into South Australia’s grid with high stability and reliability.
2025 – Australia (Adelaide) | Grid-Scale BESS & HV Testing Program
Role: Delivered protection coordination and grid connection studies for 50 MW / 60 MWh BESS, including compliance with Australian standards.
Impact: Strengthened South Australia’s grid resilience, supporting renewable integration and large-scale energy storage.
2025 – Australia (Perth) | Jandakot Bus Depot – EV Charging HV Integration
Role: Designed and executed HV system studies for large-scale EV charging, covering short-circuit, transformer loading, and protection selectivity.
Impact: Enabled sustainable public transport electrification through secure HV connections and reliable operation
Recent Technical Studies & Papers (IEEE & CIGRÉ)
Ongoing research and applied studies in HV protection, BESS, and renewable integration — shaping global standards and best practices through IEEE PES and CIGRÉ Study Committee B5.
2023 – IEEE PAPER – COORDINATED PROTECTION OF 11 kV FEEDERS WITH BESS INTEGRATION
Focus: Coordination of overcurrent and directional protection in 11 kV feeders integrating Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
Contribution: Published via IEEE Collaboratec, this paper explores selectivity improvements and dynamic fault coordination for distributed renewable systems.
Status: Published (IEEE Collaboratec, 2025)
2024 – CIGRÉ TECHNICAL PAPER – ADVANCING DIGITAL SUBSTATION COMMISSIONING IN AUSTRALIA
Focus: Development of a standardised digital commissioning framework under IEC 61850, combining system-based testing, GOOSE/SV verification, and interoperability validation.
Contribution: Submitted to CIGRÉ Australia – Technical Committee B5, this work consolidates field experience from HV substation projects across Australia.
Status: Submitted – CIGRÉ Australia (B5), October 2025
2025 – CIGRÉ TECHNICAL PAPER – HV PROTECTION FOR BESS AND GRID-SCALE INTEGRATION
cus: Design and validation of HV protection frameworks for 50–100 MW BESS installations, integrating differential (87T), directional (67/67N), and POTT logic under IEC 61850.
Contribution: Submitted to CIGRÉ Technical Committee B5, this study introduces a quantitative validation method for converter-dominated systems in South Australia.
Status: Submitted – CIGRÉ Australia (B5), October 2025
2025 – IEEE PES PAPER – FIRM POWER: ENGINEERING THE BACKBONE OF AUSTRALIA’S RENEWABLE GRID
Focus: Analysis of grid-forming inverter control, BESS firming capability, and adaptive protection strategies ensuring system strength within the Australian NEM.
Contribution: Published via IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES) and Collaboratec, defining the engineering framework for “Firm Power” and renewable grid reliability.
Status: Published (IEEE Collaboratec, 2025)