Dexter benefited from his Academic Scholarship this summer through his participation in the National Grid Engineering Course.
I was invited by the SmallPeice Trust to attend a sponsored residential course at the National Grid Training Centre in Nottingham for a week during the summer holidays. The purpose of the course was to learn about engineering in the energy sector, boosting my knowledge about the energy supply industry. I also learned how energy is made affordable, reliable, and sustainable for Net Zero using drones for monitoring and tackling other real-world challenges.
During the course, I explored the world of energy through hands-on activities and demonstrations led by National Grid training staff. I experienced life as a National Grid Engineering apprentice and also gained invaluable team-building, communication, and relationship-building skills.
One of the highlights of the week was a tour inside an active-use substation of a power plant. During the tour, we viewed the specialist equipment inside, which allows the voltage of electricity to be transformed. The voltage is stepped up or down through pieces of equipment called transformers. We also watched the air blast circuit breaker exploding, which takes place for crucial safety and operational reasons. We were wearing PPE, and even with ear defenders on, it was so loud!
Towards the end of the week, we had the “big project”. We were given a £1 million budget (not real, unfortunately!). and had to build a mini power line from a wind turbine to a supplier shed. I was assigned the management role, meaning I had to oversee the project and bring all the subsections together. We researched and estimated a rough cost value of £800,000 to complete the assignment. Our first task was to bargain with a farmer in order to buy some of his land and river crossing.
Next, we planned where the pylons would be built and then proceeded to the building stage for those pylons. Finally, we used our rewiring skills (learnt earlier in the week) to transmit the power, via the mini power line, from the wind turbine to the supplier shed. We were delighted that it worked, and the project was successful, meaning the supplier shed received power. This project sharpened my problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity skills and was very enjoyable.
In summary, the course was an invaluable experience. I learnt so much about engineering and the National Grid whilst enjoying a taste of independent living and creating new friendships with like-minded peers.
