Environment & Energy
Related: About this forumI am nervous and excited at the same time.
Last edited Sat Sep 18, 2021, 08:44 AM - Edit history (1)
I have an interview tomorrow for a Utility Scale Solar Engineering position at a large engineering firm. I want my last 10 years as an electrical engineer to mean something for my grandkids and great grandkids.
Update:
Interview went well!
It was a very interesting interview. One of the major hurdles slowing down the momentum of clean energy expansion is the building of the Point of Interconnection (POI) substations between the solar/wind farms and the transmission system. This is traditionally managed by the Utility Transmission Operator. The engineering staffs at these utilities are being overwhelmed with interconnection requests. Some of the major utilities are allowing the renewable EPC contractor and engineering firm to "self build" and manage the interconnection substation project. However, the firm has to be pre-approved by the utility. It is important to get this bottleneck removed, but the substation protection and design has to be designed and coordinated properly. Can you imagine how many hours the Fox propaganda and entertainment network would run a story if a fault in a wind farm or solar farm caused a regional blackout?
The hiring manager that interviewed me said that engineering graduates are flocking to renewable engineering jobs and have been doing so for a while. This made me smile, but it also means that there are 30 year old licensed P.E. solar engineers out in the market that have more utility solar farm experience than I do. However, the relay and substation experience I have gained in the traditional fossil fuel area means this 52 year old electrical engineer will help get these things properly connected to the grid. Plus, the company I am interviewing with is big on cross training and project crossover so I am sure I would be able to be a part of the solar farm teams and I can cross train some of the younger engineers with what I know.
I have an interview with the renewable substation team coming up.
Thanks for everyone's interest.
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)Pls let us know how it goes.
texasfiddler
(1,989 posts)SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)I love your motivation!
texasfiddler
(1,989 posts)Update:
Interview went well!
It was a very interesting interview. One of the major hurdles slowing down the momentum of clean energy expansion is the building of the Point of Interconnection (POI) substations between the solar/wind farms and the transmission system. This is traditionally managed by the Utility Transmission Operator. The engineering staffs at these utilities are being overwhelmed with interconnection requests. Some of the major utilities are allowing the renewable EPC contractor and engineering firm to "self build" and manage the interconnection substation project. However, the firm has to be pre-approved by the utility. It is important to get this bottleneck removed, but the substation protection and design has to be designed and coordinated properly. Can you imagine how many hours the Fox propaganda and entertainment network would run a story if a fault in a wind farm or solar farm caused a regional blackout?
The hiring manager that interviewed me said that engineering graduates are flocking to renewable engineering jobs and have been doing so for a while. This made me smile, but it also means that there are 30 year old licensed P.E. solar engineers out in the market that have more utility solar farm experience than I do. However, the relay and substation experience I have gained in the traditional fossil fuel area means this 52 year old electrical engineer will help get these things properly connected to the grid. Plus, the company I am interviewing with is big on cross training and project crossover so I am sure I would be able to be a part of the solar farm teams and I can cross train some of the younger engineers with what I know.
I have an interview with the renewable substation team coming up.
Thanks for your interest.
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)Wow! 2nd interview already booked?
Great!
Yikes. Not sure how you do what you do. Lol
But we all sure appreciate your expertise & dedication to clean energy!
UpInArms
(51,280 posts)All the luck in the world to you!
CrispyQ
(36,424 posts)Danmel
(4,908 posts)Pulling for you!
BadGimp
(4,012 posts)Go get Em!
MLAA
(17,254 posts)NBachers
(17,087 posts)hibbing
(10,095 posts)KT2000
(20,568 posts)for you - and good benefits on the job.
Jerry2144
(2,082 posts)Youre wise and able to bring stability
littlemissmartypants
(22,600 posts)Tommymac
(7,263 posts)samnsara
(17,606 posts)keithbvadu2
(36,678 posts)ailsagirl
(22,887 posts)summer_in_TX
(2,713 posts)Best of luck to you!
Retired Engineer Bob
(759 posts)Im sure you will do fine.
Jimbo S
(2,958 posts)From one engineer to another. I always desired an opportunity to make a positive significant impact on society.
hatrack
(59,578 posts)Let us know when you find out.
texasfiddler
(1,989 posts)Update:
Interview went well!
It was a very interesting interview. One of the major hurdles slowing down the momentum of clean energy expansion is the building of the Point of Interconnection (POI) substations between the solar/wind farms and the transmission system. This is traditionally managed by the Utility Transmission Operator. The engineering staffs at these utilities are being overwhelmed with interconnection requests. Some of the major utilities are allowing the renewable EPC contractor and engineering firm to "self build" and manage the interconnection substation project. However, the firm has to be pre-approved by the utility. It is important to get this bottleneck removed, but the substation protection and design has to be designed and coordinated properly. Can you imagine how many hours the Fox propaganda and entertainment network would run a story if a fault in a wind farm or solar farm caused a regional blackout?
The hiring manager that interviewed me said that engineering graduates are flocking to renewable engineering jobs and have been doing so for a while. This made me smile, but it also means that there are 30 year old licensed P.E. solar engineers out in the market that have more utility solar farm experience than I do. However, the relay and substation experience I have gained in the traditional fossil fuel area means this 52 year old electrical engineer will help get these things properly connected to the grid. Plus, the company I am interviewing with is big on cross training and project crossover so I am sure I would be able to be a part of the solar farm teams and I can cross train some of the younger engineers with what I know.
I have an interview with the renewable substation team coming up.
Thank you for your interest.
c-rational
(2,589 posts)Red Mountain
(1,727 posts)Good luck!
calimary
(81,139 posts)Please let us know what happens!
texasfiddler
(1,989 posts)Update:
Interview went well!
It was a very interesting interview. One of the major hurdles slowing down the momentum of clean energy expansion is the building of the Point of Interconnection (POI) substations between the solar/wind farms and the transmission system. This is traditionally managed by the Utility Transmission Operator. The engineering staffs at these utilities are being overwhelmed with interconnection requests. Some of the major utilities are allowing the renewable EPC contractor and engineering firm to "self build" and manage the interconnection substation project. However, the firm has to be pre-approved by the utility. It is important to get this bottleneck removed, but the substation protection and design has to be designed and coordinated properly. Can you imagine how many hours the Fox propaganda and entertainment network would run a story if a fault in a wind farm or solar farm caused a regional blackout?
The hiring manager that interviewed me said that engineering graduates are flocking to renewable engineering jobs and have been doing so for a while. This made me smile, but it also means that there are 30 year old licensed P.E. solar engineers out in the market that have more utility solar farm experience than I do. However, the relay and substation experience I have gained in the traditional fossil fuel area means this 52 year old electrical engineer will help get these things properly connected to the grid. Plus, the company I am interviewing with is big on cross training and project crossover so I am sure I would be able to be a part of the solar farm teams and I can cross train some of the younger engineers with what I know.
I have an interview with the renewable substation team coming up.
Thank you for your interest.
calimary
(81,139 posts)Don't forget the update!
texasfiddler
(1,989 posts)It was a very interesting interview. One of the major hurdles slowing down the momentum of clean energy expansion is the building of the Point of Interconnection (POI) substations between the solar/wind farms and the transmission system. This is traditionally managed by the Utility Transmission Operator. The engineering staffs at these utilities are being overwhelmed with interconnection requests. Some of the major utilities are allowing the renewable EPC contractor and engineering firm to "self build" and manage the interconnection substation project. However, the firm has to be pre-approved by the utility. It is important to get this bottleneck removed, but the substation protection and design has to be designed and coordinated properly. Can you imagine how many hours the Fox propaganda and entertainment network would run a story if a fault in a wind farm or solar farm caused a regional blackout?
The hiring manager that interviewed me said that engineering graduates are flocking to renewable engineering jobs and have been doing so for a while. This made me smile, but it also means that there are 30 year old licensed P.E. solar engineers out in the market that have more utility solar farm experience than I do. However, the relay and substation experience I have gained in the traditional fossil fuel area means this 52 year old electrical engineer will help get these things properly connected to the grid. Plus, the company I am interviewing with is big on cross training and project crossover so I am sure I would be able to be a part of the solar farm teams and I can cross train some of the younger engineers with what I know.
I have an interview with the renewable substation team coming up.
Thanks for everyone's interest.