Silas joined the Hawai‘i Natural Energy Institute (HNEI) in April 2017 as a Research Assistant with the Grid System Technologies Advanced Research Team (GridSTART).  In October 2017, Silas started as a Junior Power System Engineer with the GridSTART team. 

His work and research focuses on the integration of smart grid technologies, data analysis for electrical power systems, and the distribution of renewable energy sources.  Silas also coordinates the construction and development of an Electrical Power System Laboratory, which will allow the GridSTART team to conduct further research on the integration and analysis of energy technologies and power systems.

Prior to joining HNEI, Silas worked as a Project Design Engineer for about four years at Helibras, a subsidiary of Airbus Helicopters in Brazil.  At Helibras, he prepared electrical diagrams relating to the electrical integration of avionics systems for helicopters sold in South America.  He also analyzed and recommended the selection of electrical components used in Helibras’ commercial and military helicopter programs.

Silas has a five-year professional degree in Electrical Engineering from Universidade Federal de Itajuba (UNIFEI), a well-known public university in Brazil.  He is fluent in English, Brazilian Portuguese, and French and conversational in Spanish.