ILAYARAJA PALANI
Jazan,Saudi Arabia
Summary
Result oriented professional with expertise in team leadership within energy management, delivering creative solutions for utilities and optimizing resources. Demonstrates strong analytical skills for gap closure and excels in project financial assessment. Proven track record in developing steam/power balance tools and implementing energy efficiency measures. Committed to advancing sustainable practices, decarbonization and enhancing operational efficiency in the energy sector.
Overview
6
6
Languages
1
1
Certification
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Energy Engineer & Coordinator
Jazan Refinery Complex, Saudi Aramco
Jazan
01.2020 - Current
- Led implementation of Energy Management program consistent with Kingdom, ISO 50001, and Aramco standards.
- Coordinated with multi-disciplinary team including process engineers and environmental specialists to implement energy initiatives.
- Established system for evaluation of process heaters, compressors, turbines and utility systems' efficiency, pinpointing areas requiring enhancement.
- Formulated procedures ensuring compliance while monitoring performance for ongoing improvements in energy utilization.
- Constructed energy performance dashboard enabling senior management to oversee energy initiatives and make informed decisions.
- Devised roadmap targeting energy usage reduction aligned with decarbonization goals.
- Created training resources to enhance energy awareness among refinery personnel, promoting a culture of energy efficiency.
- Coached junior engineers on performance evaluation of energy systems.
- Scrutinized project designs to verify conformity with energy compliance regulations.
Team Lead -Corporate Technical & Energy Services
Aditya Birla Group
09.2014 - 01.2020
- Drove energy compliance and performance by conducting energy assessment studies, preparing roadmaps, and supporting sites to achieve energy reduction targets.
- Assessed energy consumption to identify opportunities for reducing capital expenditure in projects and optimised system performance.
- Supported procurement team in sourcing energy-related equipment, including chillers, compressors, and cooling towers, to enhance operational efficiency.
- Develop solutions for Business needs and challenges. Demonstrate feasibility through pilot trials/Test runs
- Work on innovative ideas from Research institutes/universities. Retrofit ideas and demonstrate to suit industrial application
- Allocated resources for project assignments to ensure timely completion of tasks. for assignments and ensure timely delivery of services.
- Periodically evaluate Team skill sets against Business needs. Develop or hire capability to close the gap.
- Disseminate and drive best practices amongst ABG units across India & Globe
Section head in Energy cell -Technical services department
Reliance Industries Limited
Jamnagar
01.2008 - 09.2014
- Drove energy compliance and performance, resulting in reduced energy consumption at multiple sites.
- Conducted energy assessment studies, developing roadmaps that enabled sites to meet reduction targets effectively.
- Established site energy KPIs, enabling operations to reach sustainability goals.
- Monitored energy-intensive equipment in refinery and petrochemical complex, optimizing operational efficiency.
- Implemented best practices across complex to enhance energy performance.
- Evaluated energy usage for capex projects, ensuring optimal system performance.
- Analyzed unit energy performance and variances, providing actionable recommendations for improvements.
- Executed periodic energy audits on various systems, ensuring compliance with recommendations.
Production engineer
Reliance Industries limited (MEG plant)
Pune
01.2005 - 12.2007
- Managed shift operations for mono ethylene glycol production, ensuring optimal utilisation of 300 TPD capacity.
- Led safe commissioning of MEG plant after eight years of shutdown.
- Executed catalyst changeovers for reactors, improving overall process efficiency and reliability.
- Oversaw unit operations including distillation, absorption, stripping, and multi-effect evaporation.
- Ensured safe operation of reactors, compressors, distillation columns, and evaporators.
- Troubleshot process deviations to restore operational integrity and minimise downtime.
Shift In charge
Reliance Industries Limited
Jamnagar
01.2001 - 12.2004
- Supervised oil product logistics, ensuring seamless receipt, storage, and multi-modal dispatch to enhance operational flow.
- Diagnosed and resolved dispatch issues within plant systems, minimising downtime and maintaining supply chain continuity.
- Achieved commissioning of India's first automated ethanol blending system in petrol.
- Facilitated commissioning activities for Management of Change projects, improving compliance and operational risk management.
- Contributed to development of a comprehensive Process Safety Management system.
- Authored emergency procedures addressing fire and spill risks effectively.
Process engineer
Asian peroxides limited
, Andhra Pradesh
07.1999 - 12.2000
- Monitored performance of reactor, distillation column, catalyst, and adsorbents to optimise process efficiency.
- Performed hydraulic calculations to support effective plant modifications.
- Monitored chemical and utility consumption to identify deviations.
- Guided operations group in ensuring safe operation of hydrogen and hydrogen peroxide plant.
Education
B.Tech. - Chemical
Anna University
Chennai01-1999
Skills
- Team leadership in energy management
- ISO 50001 compliance
- Creative energy solutions with pinch analysis tool for thermal/refrigeration
- Project financial assessment
- Optimization of resources
- Analytical skills for gap closure
- Development of steam/power balance tools
- Energy efficiency retrofit solution & implementation
LANGUAGES
English
Fluent
Hindi
Fluent
Tamil
Native
Certification
“Certified Energy Manager” – by Association of Energy Engineers, US, “Certified Energy Auditor” – by Bureau of Energy Efficiency, India, “Certified Lead Auditor – ISO 50001:2018” Energy Management systems, “Energy conservation Techniques for India” in Japan conducted by JICA through Kitakyushu International Techno-cooperative association, Reliance certified process engineer: 2 months training program IIT Mumbai/Technip/Aspen Technologies, Undergo 5-day program on Pinch Technology conducted by Dr. Uday Shenoy, Completed ISO –14064 –1 course on quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions., Data validation & reconciliation course for energy balance (Fuel, steam and power)
Accomplishments
- Oil & gas sector, Saudi Aramco – Jazan Refinery Complex
- Developed and implemented ISO 50001 standard energy management system for certification of 400 MBD refinery.
- Redefined steam trap management system for sustained performance at minimum cost. (Published technical paper in ADIPEC 2023)
- Developed process for identifying refinery specific decarbonization strategy.
- Reliance Industries Limited
- Leader of a team under M/s KBC's supervision which identified energy opportunities around 1800 MMBTU/h for refinery & Petrochemical complex. 7% of site energy consumption will get reduced. (160 MMUSD/year reduction in fuel bill), Notable innovative ideas are Modified Hot water loop for operating thermal desalination with heat recovery from column overhead rejections.
- Chemical & Fertilizer sector
- Application of Refrigeration Pinch Principle Efficient configuration of lye chilling system through retrofit. Power reduction by 30 to 50%
- Generated road map for water reduction using Pinch technology. Units covered – IGF/Indian Rayon/ Nagda Fiber division/ ABI /Halol. Water reduction by 10 to 15%.
Timeline
Senior Energy Engineer & Coordinator
Jazan Refinery Complex, Saudi Aramco
01.2020 - Current
Team Lead -Corporate Technical & Energy Services
Aditya Birla Group
09.2014 - 01.2020
Section head in Energy cell -Technical services department
Reliance Industries Limited
01.2008 - 09.2014
Production engineer
Reliance Industries limited (MEG plant)
01.2005 - 12.2007
Shift In charge
Reliance Industries Limited
01.2001 - 12.2004
Process engineer
Asian peroxides limited
07.1999 - 12.2000
B.Tech. - Chemical
Anna University