Abdul Rehman is carving out a future for himself and us in the renewable energy sector. Since March, he’s been an operations and maintenance engineer at Ormat Nevada, a supplier of alternative and renewable geothermal energy technologies in the US. He sees himself taking on more leadership goals in the future, though and managing more complex projects. It’s been a stellar trajectory for a kid from Pakistan whose family were farmers, but it’s also a testament to the discipline instilled in him by his late father, who continues to inspire him.
“My goal is to take on a leadership role soon, ideally as a project manager or director, where I can lead innovative projects that contribute to energy sustainability and technological advancements,” says Abdul of his plans. “I see myself leading complex energy projects and making a meaningful impact on the industry.”
Abdul is well-positioned for success. He holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in electrical engineering. He received his BSc from COMSATS University Islamabad in Pakistan and his MSc from Cleveland State University in Ohio.
“Hands-on experiences deeply shaped my academic journey,” Abdul recalls. “My education not only provided me with a strong foundation in engineering principles but also enhanced my confidence, presentation skills, and perspective on tackling real-world challenges.”
Indeed, his senior project involved developing a reforestation drone designed to disperse seeds from optimal heights to promote forest growth. The aim of the project was to create a more cost-effective alternative to existing drones on the market. Abdul credits the project with refining his talent for innovating and solving problems and improving his design acumen.
“These experiences have greatly influenced my ability to manage large-scale, high-tech projects efficiently,” he says.
Abdul next honed his engineering skills as a production engineer at Ultium Cells, a joint venture between LG and General Motors. There, he was responsible for making batteries for electric vehicles. He says the role advanced his understanding of process improvement, quality control, and root cause analysis.
“I also learned how to schedule and monitor production processes while coordinating across departments to ensure seamless operations,” he adds. He also continued to freelance during this time, taking on work that allowed him to round out his knowledge and stay abreast of industry trends.
In his current position at Ormat Nevada, he has worked chiefly on battery energy storage systems. At Ormat, Abdul said he’s been able to expand his expertise in system monitoring, fault analysis, and maintaining energy efficiency in large-scale energy storage projects.
He’s been busy publishing, too. Abdul recently published a paper in the International Journal of Science and Social Science Research titled “Advances in Satellite Selection Algorithms: Reducing Receiver Processing.” A second paper, “Food Retailers’ Adoption of Green Supply Chain Practices in the US: A Case from the US Using the GSCM Model,” appeared in the same journal. He says another paper is in the pipeline and should be published soon.
Modest Beginnings
For Abdul Rehman, everything started in Sialkot, a large city of nearly 660,000 based in Pakistan’s Punjab province. His family were farmers originally, and his father, a retired Air Force officer who returned home to manage the family farming operations after his retirement, instilled a strict educational regimen in his children. The elder Rehman was determined that young Abdul and his siblings receive the best opportunities available to them, but also to work for them. Abdul and his brother attended engineering schools and his sisters obtained master’s degrees thanks to this encouragement.
“Despite not having substantial financial means, my parents worked tirelessly to ensure that my siblings and I could pursue our dreams,” says Abdul.
The family was unique for the area. Abdul recalls that other families in his community did not emphasize education similarly but began to follow their example. His father’s perseverance also set an important example for Abdul, who calls him his “greatest hero.”
He notes that his father was also flexible, working in the air force, running a farm, and owning a convenience store.
“He set a powerful example not just for me but for our entire family and village,” says Abdul. Sadly, his father passed away in 2017, but he continues to inspire Abdul in all of his pursuits.
Abdul has also been inspired by his athletic successes. In high school, he served as a sports captain, leading teams to victory in numerous competitions. They won a rally race and a 100-meter sprint. “These experiences fostered leadership and resilience, qualities that continue to influence my professional growth,” said Abdul.
Big Plans
Abdul is keenly aware that continued success in his field requires a balancing act involving lifelong learning, hands-on experience, and adaptability. It also requires self-improvement, which means staying in shape physically and traveling to understand the world.
“Personal growth is just as important to me as professional achievements,” Abdul says, “and I believe both are essential for a fulfilling life.”
He sees a future in furthering his expertise in emerging technologies, specifically energy storage systems and renewable energy. This will require persistence, as he stays current with new trends and innovations. He may also need new certifications and professional development courses and keep his hands busy doing R&D work daily.
Collaboration with colleagues around the world is also important. “By working closely with experts from various fields, I can learn from their experiences and gain new insights that will help me become more proficient in managing and optimizing energy storage systems,” he says.
He wants to be a better leader, too, not just a technical expert but someone who can competently manage organizations and direct larger and more elaborate projects. This could involve mentoring others and learning how to nurture a collaborative team environment.
Above all, Abdul wants to remain at the very cutting-edge of the energy sector in order to make a difference, not only for himself, but for everyone.
“I want to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible,” he says. “Whether it’s improving the efficiency of energy storage systems or finding more sustainable solutions, I will maintain a problem-solving mindset and focus on creating impactful advancements that benefit both industry and society.”
