Principal

Sci~T principal, Dr Hobday, is an experienced Software Engineer and Computational Mathematician specialising in freelance software development for business, engineering and scientific applications. He has delivered projects using a broad range of skills from software engineering, mathematics and computer science. His most recent experience has been gained within the energy sector. He has degrees in Mathematics and a PhD in Artificial Intelligence from Loughborough University. 

Previous Technical / Engineering / Scientific Software Development Projects:

Aerial Surveillance Software
Technology:     Visual C++, C#, ASP.NET and SQL Server 2005

This long-running project entailed designing and coding new algorithms and building additional software components for the client’s aerial surveillance applications. These are used to report on any 3rd party interference with the energy transmission infrastructure. Applications developed include a Visual C++ GPS mapping software application that tracks and records flight leg data on a laptop and is operated by the helicopter observer; a Visual C++ data upload program (via a mobile connection) to the database server; SQL Server database and C# processing applications; an ASP.NET / C# secure website for processing and actioning surveillance data.


Energy Storage Simulation
Technology:    Java SE, Stochastic Models

Developed this multi-threaded stochastic simulation tool with Swing GUI. Incorporates statistical models for future energy demand, weather patterns and forecasting accuracy to derive confidence intervals for Britain’s required annual energy storage requirement. Involved with the complete project lifecycle, from the analysis stage through to development, deployment and support.


Energy Demand Forecasting Product
Technology:    Java SE & C++, Artificial Intelligence

Modules developed for this distributed Java / Visual C++ / Oracle energy demand forecasting suite included a specialist Neural Network prediction engine and XML model parsing. This forecasting product is used predominantly to predict short to medium term future energy demand profiles.


Distribution Network Modelling and Optimisation
Technology:    FORTRAN 77, Optimisation Theory, Matlab

With this project, the application of mathematical optimisation theory to this client’s legacy FORTRAN network distribution engine (using an optimisation package, MINOS, for constrained nonlinear programming problems) enabled improvement in the network usage efficiency and aided model validation.



Custom Business Software Development Products and Projects.

Contract Management Software Tool
Technology:     MS Access 2003 / VBA

This client needs to maintain records on a large number of contracts that it has in place with suppliers. A custom Contract Management System was developed that enables the proper recording and management of projects, project stages, stage deliverables, timescales, change controls, project and stage budgets, supplier invoices and post project appraisals.


HSE Inspection and Reporting Tools
Technology:     Phase 1. MS Access 2003 / VBA

Developed a Health and Safety Inspection Form database that is used to store the findings of periodic plant and equipment HSE inspections with an audit trail for HSE methods and procedures. Produces and emails custom reports at the push of a button. Action reminder functionality triggers MS Outlook reminders at set intervals or specified dates.


Regulator and Valve Testing Database
Technology:    C#, MS Access 2003

This is a multi-user application for storing the results of tens of thousands of valve and regulator test inspections with configurable interface and custom reporting facilities.


Asset Replacement Business Modelling with System Dynamics
Technology:    iSee iThink

System dynamics provides a methodology for modelling, understanding and communicating the complex interaction between systems that feature time delays, feedback loops and nonlinearity. With this project, System Dynamics was applied to the problem of scheduling asset replacement projects for a major UK energy company.  The resulting Decision Support Tool assists with the understanding and modelling of the interplay between engineering, risk and financial factors.