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Digital technology and data are at the heart of our plans to modernise our energy system – safely, securely and sustainably in the communities we serve. Evolution of the Distribution System Operator (DSO) model, within SP Energy Networks, will bring a more active and dynamic network as both consumers and generators interact more with the electricity system. And with new economic, commercial and flexible solutions, the DSO model will help us to deliver our customers’ and stakeholders’ needs.
To develop a flexible and truly smart grid, we are rolling-out a new data, digital and communications ecosystem that will enable coordinated planning and delivery of these Whole System solutions. We are on a journey to transform our organisation into a modern, digitalised energy network operator. We will manage vast increases in the volume and frequency of data collected from technologies such as remote sensors, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, wearable technology and drones, and generate evidence bases and automated solutions that ensure optimised decision making.
With so much opportunity, we are recruiting across a number of diverse teams where, depending on your discipline, you can build your knowledge and skills across with placements in different technical, commercial or support departments:
What you’ll be doing
IT Systems & Business Processes - Centre of Excellence
In the Centre of Excellence (CoE), we’re at the forefront of the drive to develop innovative solutions for our business processes and supporting IT systems. You’ll be instrumental in challenging our current processes and systems to enable our business to deliver smarter and cleaner technology. You’ll play an essential role in developing our existing systems or even delivering new systems, which through digitalisation and forecasting, will enable decision making and create efficiencies across SP Energy Networks. You’ll be helping to predict the load on the network and reduce faults, ensuring that the electricity continues to flow throughout our network.
Smart Grid Operations (SGO)
The home of our operational technology (OT), we’re driving the new digital and data revolution of our energy system. As we focus our efforts on achieving Net Zero, our Smart Grid is key to realising this ambition. Bringing a new era of reliability, availability and efficiency that will contribute to our economic and environmental health, the Smart Grid facilitates two-way communication which allows us to respond digitally to rapid changes in demand or faults on our network, minimising the impact on our customers, communities, and stakeholders.
Working within our SGO team, you’ll work in or with the different specialist teams who support our Real Time Systems, a private Telecommunications network, electricity network automation, Smart Metering Systems and Cyber Security to develop or operate our systems, develop new technology and systems or project manage the delivery of them to enhance the functionality provided whilst also ensuring the 24/7 availability of our systems.
SGO – Real Time Systems
Our Real Time Systems (RTS) combine SCADA information sourced directly from the electricity network with customer calls and smart metering information. Creating a digital twin of the electricity network, we maintain a model for visualisation and control purposes to minimise the impact of faults, maintenance, and new installations on our communities. You’ll build your knowledge of Linux and Microsoft operating systems, as well as your understanding of relational databases, graphical editing tools and computer networking as you immerse yourself in our digital world.
SGO – Telecoms
Responsible for providing and managing the telecoms infrastructure that makes our smart grid so smart, as a Telecoms graduate, you’ll be involved in providing the telecoms infrastructure that allows us to monitor and control the network, ensuring that the electricity continues to flow throughout our network. And with access to a variety of technologies such as satellite communications, cables, fibre communications and point to point or multi point radios, your telecoms knowledge will grow exponentially. You’ll have the opportunity to design and deliver large scale projects, providing you with in depth knowledge of all our communications technology. We’re constantly creating innovative solutions to everyday problems and, right now, we’re trialling a private 4G network that will allow us to connect to remote substations or those where terrain prevents connection, so our Smart Grid knows no bounds. We constantly challenge ourselves to unleash the power of technology and we hope you will too!
SGO – Cyber Security
Responsible for the security of our operational technology (OT), as our networks become smarter and more accessible, it is absolutely essential we protect the security and integrity of our critical national infrastructure. You’ll play a key role in assessing our network security to present potential cyber issues to senior management and our Global OT Cyber Security Teams. You’ll also be involved in vital activities to minimise the risk of interruptions to our network through risk management planning, and through the development and implementation of new systems or technologies.
Data Science and Data Analytics
Our new data, digital and communications ecosystem will generate vast increases in the volume and frequency of data collected from across our networks and assets. These systems provide data that enable us to be more proactive in how we manage our electricity networks to enable the UK's transition to Net Zero.
Working with operational data like energy flow, usage and voltage, data associated with our network equipment like cables, overhead lines and switchgear or business, financial or process data you will develop your skills in data science to enable you to transform this data into useful information to be used to inform business decisions and future strategy. The skills developed will include energy network understanding, proficiency in a range of programming languages and the ability to utilise multiple algorithm methodologies in a real industry setting. To complement your technical skills, we will also develop your business awareness, presentation and influencing skills, to enable you to communicate the right information to multiple audiences.
As part of Iberdrola, we’re one of the world’s largest integrated utility companies and world leader in wind energy. That means we're able to offer a selection of our data and technology graduates the chance to be part of a global programme, giving you the unique opportunity to undertake a placement in one of our Iberdrola locations! You could spend several months in Iberdrola in Spain, Avangrid in the USA, or one of our other Iberdrola group locations. What better way to kick start your career in clean energy than gaining experiences and building networks of colleagues from around the world?
You’ll find information on all our current and future projects on our web page:
Investment & Innovation - SP Energy Networks
We have opportunities based in Glasgow or Prenton, Wirral and want to hear from you if you have, or expect to achieve, an Honours Degree (or equivalent) at a minimum of 2:2 in one of the following disciplines:
- Data Science / Data Analytics
- Computer Systems / Programming / Computer Science / IT/ Cyber
- IT Management / Computer Project Management / Technology Project Management
- Control Systems / Automation & Control / Embedded Systems
- Electrical Engineering / Power Engineering with a specialism or interest in data or digital systems
- Electronic Communications / Telecommunications or similar
- Economics / Maths / Business
Entry Requirements
Honours Degree (or equivalent) at a minimum of 2:2 in a relevant discipline – see below
