• Question: What is the most challenging project you have been involved with in your career?

    Asked by Ross Crighton to Andrew, Dona, Liena, Sandra, Stevie on 9 Nov 2015. This question was also asked by Random panda, livster, deadpool.
    • Photo: Liena Vilde

      Liena Vilde answered on 9 Nov 2015:

      Last year I lead the development of a System Operability Framework describing how the GB electricity system will change in the next 20 years in response to fossil fuel power plant closures, massive growth in wind and solar PV generation and change in consumer behaviour, such as replacing old light bulbs and appliances with energy efficient ones and replacing petrol and diesel cars with electric cars or hybrids.

      To do this, I had to work together with a lot of engineers doing the studies, and do a lot of presentations to the industry, which is always a bit scary when you’re talking about something for the first time, but now I really enjoy it!

    • Photo: Steven Wray

      Steven Wray answered on 9 Nov 2015:

      One of our power supplies (which takes energy from the national grid and outputs exactly the amount of energy we want to use) has a strange fault. Once every six months or so it will turn itself off for no apparent reason! When I first started here two years ago I did a detailed investigation, trawling through years of data, making computer simulations of lots of the different circuits involved and physically testing components. The result from that investigation was no more than a hunch!

      So now after the fault reoccurred I’m making a diagnostic, something to watch a particular bit of the circuit to tell me more information when the fault occurs again.

      It’s the most challenging project I’ve been involved in because I’m still not sure what the problem is, but I won’t let it beat me!

    • Photo: Andrew Allan

      Andrew Allan answered on 9 Nov 2015:

      I’m currently involved in a project to analyse the future of the energy industry and help develop a strategic direction for my company.

      There has been a lot of change in the energy indurty with the drive for low carbon generation – and this will continue for many years.

      Big change in the industry means companies also have to make big changes to stay competitive and continue providing the services that are required by the market.

      It’s really important to understand what, how and when changes will happen! It’s something I find really interesting and enjoyable to research.

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