Thoughts on Substation/T-Line Engineer

[robertplant22]

Hello,

I'm currently making a switch from working in the healthcare industry doing electrical distribution, Communications, and fire alarm systems to the Energy Delivery industry.

I was hoping some of you could share your thoughts about working in this industry; and what the opportunities are for a young engineer as myself.

I think this industry is rapidly changing, and I want to be part of this change.

Thank you for your input.

 

[dpc]

The title of your post doesn't quite match the job description in the message itself.

Won't find too many substation and T-line engineers doing fire alarm system design. So I'm not clear on what you are looking for.

Also, can you be more specific about the "Energy Delivery industry".

That could include working at a gas station.

 

[DTR2011]

At least he likes Zeppelin

 

[robertplant22]

Thanks for your response dpc.

You are correct in that T-line engineers do not do fire alarm system design; which is precisely why I'm looking to change career paths. I want to work in an area that brings me closer to working with power systems. When I make reference to the Energey Delivery industry, I mean the design of power distribution at generation and sub transmission stages.

I've been applying to a number of major companies such as Black & Veatch and Burns and McDonell. I think I may have found a position working with Medium Voltage systems.

I don't have much experience with transmission lines. I will be taking my PE, and I understand the basic concepts; plus I have experience with electrical distribution systems of low voltage systems (very different from high and medium voltage, but still an electrical distribution system).

I do not like working with fire alarm systems, public address systems and a number of systems that are involved in hospitals; I like working with power systems (voltage, current, power factor correction, etc). This is why I'm looking to make the switch while I'm still young.

I'm basically wanting to hear from guys that have been working in this industry for many years what their experience has been, and what they think the future of this industry looks like. It is my understanding that in the near future there will be a shortage of engineers in this particular sector and that key players of this sector are trying to train new people to make up for those who will be retiring. In addition with power being generated by renewable sources at many different points in the distribution system; it seems as though the whole dynamic of the grid is changing and it seems as though it will be an exciting and challenging field to work in.

As before, I appreciate any input and advice from anyone,

 

[deltawhy]

I am in the exact same position. I do work on low voltage distribution systems for commercial buildings, fire alarm systems, life safety systems, etc. I am VERY interested in med/high voltage protection and control, and would like to do work in this area before I get too deep in what I currently do (I'm still relatively young). I'm here in Alberta, so I know there is no shortage of energy projects. I just do not know what companies do this type of work out here? I have previously worked for a utility, but their design was outsourced to some firm in the US. I'm still satisfied with where I'm at (my boss is unreal), but I want to do work in med/high voltage no matter what salary.

Cheers

 

[DTR2011]

If you are young and don't mind traveling, working in the field is really an enlightening experience. Some service companies focus on commercial / industrial, which can give you some exposure to MV. This is very valuable as you will see brand new to 50+ year old equipment, how and why a design is good over the years.

There are plenty of IPP's out there that required commissioning, this again exposes you to the whole gamit, including the P&C, communication, switchgear, switchyard, etc. Once again you will also learn quickly what works and what does not.

Good luck

 

[Zogzog]

Where do you live, or want to live Mr Plant??

We do MV service and testing for heavy industrial and utilities and I am hiring in several states.

 

[robertplant22]

ZogZog,

I'm open to moving to several states. My preference is to live in the state of Texas, Denver Colorado, Florida or California.

Other states/cities of interest are Portland Oregon, Missouri Kansas City and Atlanta Georgia.

As you can see I'm very open. Hopefully you are looking for engineers in one of these states. Let me know!

 

[dpc]

OK, I misread your original post. I thought you were working in the healthcare industry.

Field experience is definitely worthwhile.

 

[MikeDB]

The electric utilitiy industry is not a glamorous field to work in. However it has provided an above average income and very stable employment for many engineers. I have been in the industry for 34 years and have seen some ups and downs, but not the extremes that some fields experience. There seems to have been a steady increase in utility work, at least in the midwest, thru the last 5 years of economic slowdown. As long as people expect electricity, the job demand will be there.

Change does not take place quickly in the industry. There is a lot of talk about renewable energy and smart grids, but utilities are slow to change which is a good thing in many respects.

Personally, I would avoid California as it is my opinion that the voters there have made grave mistakes regarding their future with respect to electricity.

A career in the utility industry is a smart move. I should discourage it as the fewer engineers there are, the more I am worth.

 

[robertplant22]

MikeDB,

Thanks you for your synopsis. I think with 34 years of experience under your belt, your advice is very valuable. When you say you would avoid California, does that apply to the Western Interconnection in general, or just that state?

Also, do you have an opinion on Texas and ERCOT, I think I may have a great opportunity there. I'd love to hear what you have to say.

Thanks!

 

[dpc]

The electric utility industry is not a monolithic entity. Working for a consultant will be very different from working for a utility. Working for a large investor-owned utility will be very different from working for a small REA.

If you are looking at consulting, your clients could be all over the country, or world, if you go to work for a large firm.

It will also depend on your career goals and how career-motivated you are.

 

[Zogzog]

Texas and Florida, yes. Portland and Atlanta, maybe.

Here is where it gets tricky, we are not supposed to post contact info on this site, and I don't think you are allowed to post a resume either, so not sure how we can get in touch.

 

[MikeDB]

robertplant22,
I would avoid the State of California, but there may be some good employers within the state.
I like Texas and am registered there, but have not done a lot of work there. They are in the midst of another oilfield boom, which is a boom for the electric business. There is a lot of forward thinking in Texas and I like where they are headed. There has also been a wind farm boom. The people are great, but boy is it hot in the summer. A lot of diversity geographically, economically, and otherwise.

 

[robertplant22]

Zogzog,

Maybe we can communicate through another board where I've made a similar topic question:

http://engineerboards.com/index.php?showtopic=18769

MikeDB,

Thanks again for you input. Texas does look like winner; there seems to be many opportunities there. Also the fact that they have their own interconnection makes me think they are doing something right and are ahead of other states.

What do you think are some of the most challenging things about designing systems in this field? what are some of the things you deal with the most or do the most on a daily basis? It seems to me as though calculating transformer capacities or paralleling transformers, and relay schemes are some of them, is this correct?

Also, how much do you deal with designing substation schemes such as single bus, breaker and a half, double breaker double bus? It seems as though you would only do this if you are designing a brand new substations, is this correct?

Thanks.

 

[MikeDB]

As a civil/structural I try to stay away from black boxes or anything else with smoke in it for fear of letting it out.

There are all kinds of work in the electric utility industry so what you pursue will depend on what your interests are. You could spend all day programing "what-if" scenarios in load flow programs determining what happens if a certain asset goes out (someone let the smoke out). Doing relay coordination studies, voltage drop studies, sizing transformer and service for well pumps, working on long range plans or next years construction budget. You could do design and construction of power lines or substations, or the communication system to make it all work together. We haven't even discussed power plants, but there is more wiring in power plant than a healthcare facility.

Go for what you enjoy and you will never have to work a day for the rest of your life.

 

[rterickson]

California has passed legislation requiring utilities to agressively increase the percentage of their electricity generated by renewable sources such as wind and solar. It's going to be expensive, in part because these sources are less efficient than large scale traditional power plants, and because a lot of new transmission lines are going to be needed to move the power from where the wind and sun are strongest to where the people are. Lots of job oportunities for utility-type engineers.

My career has been 27 years so far, all in utility T&D, all in California, with no unemployment gaps.

Currently I am the Substation Engineering Dept. in a small utility. We have approximately 30 substations/switchyards, the majority are single-bus single-breaker design, but we also have main-and-transfer bus; double-bus single breaker; ring bus; and breaker-and-a-half. I have had the opportunity to design brand new substations, as well upgrades and modifications to older ones.

As other posters have said, there are a lot of different job functions, even within the same utility, or department. And the first job that gets you in the door may not be the job you spend the majority of your career in.

Focus your resume on the skills that would align with utility jobs, such as design, field experience, problem-solving, schedule/budget success, etc. and see what you can find.

Good luck!

 

[robertplant22]

rterickson,

Thank you for your perspective, 27 years is very impressive. I will follow your advice and make sure the skills you mentioned are included in my resume.

I have a job interview to work in the state of Texas for one of the major design firms in the industry; hopefully things will go well; I'm very excited about the opportunity; there are some big projects taking place there right now.

I have been studying for my PE exam so some of the basic principles are fresh; hopefully this will help in the interview.

I have also been reading C. Russell Mason's "The Art & Science of Protective Relaying".

Thanks for the advice everyone. Everyone who has commented seems to have good things to say about the industry, and most importantly you seem to be happy with your jobs. I think making the switch will be a move in the right direction.

 

[robertplant22]

Zogzog,

Not sure if you didn't like the method of communication I provided through this link:

http://engineerboards.com/index.php?showtopic=18769

I'm still interested in touching bases if you are as well!

Let me know if you have different suggestions.