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Elyes Cherifi

@elyescherifi

Grid Automation bidding leader at Hitachi Energy who secured data center substation projects and generated ~€8M/year in awarded orders.

France

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At Hitachi Energy, I led Grid Automation tendering in France and provided the grid automation and control architecture for data center substation projects, including Data4 PAR3/Nozay 225 kV. I interfaced directly with RTE on connection and technical requirements.

I managed an annual tendering pipeline of €20–50M and generated approximately €8M per year in awarded orders. I also streamlined tendering processes through costing tools, offer standardization, and pipeline and operations planning.

At ABB - POWER GRIDS, I developed the Automation & Control business in France and increased market share by 30% through new customer acquisition. As Substations Automation Systems Manager, I secured the EDF Nuclear Protection & Control Retrofit Program, valued at $30M.

Earlier, I managed power-system bids and projects involving SCADA, EMS, and DMS, including proposals up to $100M at SNC LAVALIN. I hold a PhD in Automation & Control and have worked across power systems, grid automation, and substation control.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Country Bidding Unit Leader – Grid Automation

Hitachi Energy

Jan 2020 - Jan 2026 (6 years)

Led Grid Automation tendering activities in France, managing a pipeline of €20–50M annually and generating ~€8M/year in awarded orders. Expanded market into data centers, renewables, and transportation, and provided grid automation architecture for major data center substation projects.

Grid Automation Tendering Bid Management Market Expansion Substations and Mobile Substations SCADA EMS DMS Project Management Team Leadership

Area Sales Manager – Automation & Control

ABB - Power Grids

Jan 2015 - Jan 2020 (5 years)

Led commercial development and growth of the Automation & Control business in France, increasing market share by 30% and achieving $5M order intake. Built partnerships with integrators and represented the company at trade shows.

Sales Business Development Market Share Growth Partnership Management Customer Acquisition Trade Shows

Substations Automation Systems Manager

ABB - Power Grids

Jan 2010 - Jan 2015 (5 years)

Led automation system activity in France, including business development, proposals, and project execution. Awarded all EDF Nuclear Protection & Control Retrofit Program worth $30M and led a team of 3 engineers.

Substation Automation SCADA Relay RTUs Business Development Proposal Management Project Execution Team Leadership

Senior Project Manager

ABB - Power Grids

Jan 2008 - Jan 2010 (2 years)

Led end-to-end delivery of substation automation projects, managing planning, budget, risk, and coordination with integrators and customers. Led the GPA project for EDF covering 28 nuclear reactors and managed a team of 10 engineers.

Project Management Substation Automation Risk Management Budget Management Team Leadership Customer Coordination

Senior Consultant – DCS, SCADA & EMS Systems

Altran (now Capgemini)

Jan 2005 - Jan 2008 (3 years)

Provided guidance and strategic support to major clients in deploying DCS, SCADA, and EMS systems. Managed teams on projects for Alstom, Areva, Alcatel, and Ineo, delivering systems for power plants, national grids, and metro systems.

DCS SCADA EMS Consulting Team Leadership Project Delivery

Bid Manager

SNC Lavalin

Jan 2003 - Jan 2005 (2 years)

Managed large-scale power grid control system proposals up to $100M for SCADA, EMS, and DMS solutions. Major clients included Three Gorges Dam, IEC, and PSEG.

Bid Management Proposal Management SCADA EMS DMS Power Systems

Power Systems & Software Engineer

SNC Lavalin

Jan 2000 - Jan 2003 (3 years)

Led design and implementation of control applications (SCADA/EMS/DMS) using C, C++, Fortran, UML, and Unix. Key projects included Thailand PEA, HydroQuébec, and Elektro Maribor Slovenia.

SCADA EMS DMS C C++Fortran UML Unix

Automation & Control Engineer

Sycodal Electrotechnique

Jan 1998 - Jan 2000 (2 years)

Designed low-voltage electrical schematics and implemented and commissioned industrial automation systems (SCADA, DCS) across Canada and the USA for critical infrastructures. Clients included US Navy, Wire Rope Industries, Scapa Rolls, and Alstom.

SCADA DCS Electrical Schematics Commissioning Industrial Automation