Could you share your experience and expertise in the field and your current responsibilities? I have been working in the industry for almost 22 years now. I started my career doing substation design for industrial and utility facilities, and later worked on underground transmission line projects. After a while, I transitioned into project management, where I managed various projects, including transmission lines, substations, and various permitting aspects. While still doing engineering work, primarily substation design, I gained considerable experience in project management.
After many years as a project manager, I moved into people management and served as a department manager for a team of engineers, designers, drafters, and support staff. Currently, I am the vice president of the engineering and design group at EPS, which comprises approximately 90 individuals with diverse skill sets. Our group is involved in various projects, such as utility substation design, renewable site design for third-party developers, and commercial and industrial studies work, including arc flash system coordination and short circuit design. Overall, our group provides support to the electric industry.
What are some of the past and prevailing challenges you have witnessed?
Earlier in my career, I encountered many issues related to technology, particularly in terms of outdated equipment and design practices. Many designs still incorporated equipment from the 70s and 80s, which was a challenge when integrating newer microprocessors and smart devices into the system. However, as the industry began to adopt newer technologies, the focus shifted from technological issues to people-related challenges.
Investing in your people is essential to staying ahead in the industry. This investment can take the form of time or money, but it’s important to prioritize the growth and development of your team
Today, one of the biggest challenges we face in the utility space is a shortage of qualified engineers. With the closure or repurposing of coal and gas-fired plants and the rapid expansion of renewable sites, there is a significant increase in demand for skilled professionals. Unfortunately, the supply of such engineers is limited, and this has created a significant bottleneck in the industry. Therefore, finding and retaining experienced engineers who understand the intricacies of these projects is critical.
What are some of the leading trends of advanced technology that are having a massive impact on the industry?
Many key issues in the industry stand out, but one that jumps to mind is the increasing use of green power technologies such as wind turbines and solar farms. While renewable energy is an innovative and game-changing technology, some of the early wind farms and solar fields are coming to the end of their expected lifespan, and the equipment used in these facilities is getting old and outdated. This presents significant challenges when it comes to maintenance and upgrading, especially as we have yet to determine how to recycle wind turbine blades or repurpose old solar panels.
These challenges have the potential to significantly impact the industry over the next 10 to 15 years. If we can find a way to recycle or repurpose these materials, it could completely change the way things are done today. However, if we continue down the same path, we may find ourselves with more and more obsolete parts and pieces.
Another significant issue is the closing of coal plants. Driven by regulations, potential fines for EPA violations, and economics, many utilities are recognizing that it is more costeffective to install renewable generation than to keep aging coal plants running and updated for environmental guidelines. This shift has changed the way power is generated today, as renewables do not generate as much power as coal plants used to. To address this, battery storage has become a crucial driver in the industry. Overall, these challenges and changes are driving innovation and progress in the industry, with a focus on sustainability and efficiency.
What is your leadership strategy for helping your team members with the necessary guidance and assistance?
From a high-level perspective, it is important to recognize that we can’t continue doing things the same way we did 10 to 12 years ago. To stay ahead of the game, it’s essential to have people on your team who are plugged into the latest technologies and tools in the industry. One way to do this is by sending team members to technical conferences and encouraging them to get involved in the latest advancements in the marketplace.
However, implementing new technologies and equipment can be challenging, particularly for investor-owned and regulated utilities, due to the complexities of rate structures and return on investment. In contrast, developers and third parties who build solar fields have more flexibility to implement new technologies. This creates an interesting dynamic, where different industry parts may be moving at different paces.
As a leader, it’s important to understand your team members’ skill sets and personalities and match them with the right projects. This allows individuals to focus on either a fast-moving area or something that’s tried and true, enabling them to grow and develop within specific areas that match their preferred learning style. I would say, it is crucial to stay forward-thinking and adaptable to keep pace with the everchanging industry.
What advice would you give to the developers that would help them to move forward by adopting the new advancements that are taking place?
In my experience, investing in your people is essential to staying ahead in the industry. This investment can take the form of time or money, but it’s important to prioritize the growth and development of your team.
As we all continue to progress in our careers and the industry evolves, some of us may fall behind on the latest technologies and tools. So, it is also essential to recognize people’s strengths and delegate tasks accordingly. For example, I may not be up to date on the newest devices and technologies, but my team members are. By encouraging them to get involved in the latest advancements and delegating tasks that align with their skill sets, we can work together to stay ahead of the curve.
My advice to others in the industry would be to invest in your people and encourage their growth and development. By doing so, you not only benefit the individual, but also bring value back to the organization and drive success.
From an industry standpoint, I’m extremely excited about the current state of the industry. It’s been bustling for the past years and shows no signs of slowing down in the near future. With a lot of new technology and exciting projects on the horizon, it’s a great time to be involved and plugged into the industry.
There’s tremendous potential for growth and innovation, and I’m eagerly looking forward to seeing what the future holds.
