From your overall experience, what would you say was the most valuable lesson or takeaway for you personally?
Before joining UKAEA, I had roles that are similar to the work I do here, for instance 11 kV power distribution for companies like SSE. Here, however, there's a whole raft of different rules we are bound by, so I have had to adapt to the relevant standards that govern both private, high voltage and low voltage distribution network versus the distribution network operators (DNOs) - that's been a bit of a head scratcher for me. Essentially, via additional protection systems, we must make things safer, and protect both people as well as the plant.
Reflecting on your time here at UKAEA, what stands out to you as your favorite memory or moment?
I think it has to be the energization of the new 11 kV western ring, which has been both an engineering and commercial battle. Seeing this finalised has been really rewarding.
Can you introduce yourself and provide an overview of your role within UKAEA?
I am Daniel Steele, I’m an Engineering Manager and Network Manager that looks after the 11 kV and the 400 volt network, and I sit within the power distribution group. Non-experimental loads (i.e. building supplies) on this site are supplied at 11 kV to a local transformer and 400 volt is used for distribution within the buildings.
Could you shed some light on the key challenges you face within your projects and your role?
The biggest challenge that we face as a group is the apparent lack of power availability on site at Culham. From an engineering perspective, we have enough power for the real-world loading of the buildings, but we have projects requesting larger supplies than they really need. As a group we work with the consultants and project managers, as an intelligent customer, to run through and send back to them what we believe is a more realistic expectation of use.
Are there any upcoming projects or projects you are working on that you are excited about?
There are a few large developments in the works that I am excited about, particularly those that involve delivering a new substation, or a new end state solution to one of the projects on site.
In our interview with Daniel Steele, we delve into the world of Integrated Engineering and the Power Distribution Group looking at some of the challenges they face at UK Atomic Energy Authority.
Can you introduce yourself and provide an overview of your role within UKAEA?
I am Daniel Steele, I’m an Engineering Manager and Network Manager that looks after the 11 kV and the 400 volt network, and I sit within the power distribution group. Non-experimental loads (i.e. building supplies) on this site are supplied at 11 kV to a local transformer and 400 volt is used for distribution within the buildings.
Could you shed some light on the key challenges you face within your projects and your role?
The biggest challenge that we face as a group is the apparent lack of power availability on site at Culham. From an engineering perspective, we have enough power for the real-world loading of the buildings, but we have projects requesting larger supplies than they really need. As a group we work with the consultants and project managers, as an intelligent customer, to run through and send back to them what we believe is a more realistic expectation of use.
Are there any upcoming projects or projects you are working on that you are excited about?
There are a few large developments in the works that I am excited about, particularly those that involve delivering a new substation, or a new end state solution to one of the projects on site.
From your overall experience, what would you say was the most valuable lesson or takeaway for you personally?
Before joining UKAEA, I had roles that are similar to the work I do here, for instance 11 kV power distribution for companies like SSE. Here, however, there's a whole raft of different rules we are bound by, so I have had to adapt to the relevant standards that govern both private, high voltage and low voltage distribution network versus the distribution network operators (DNOs) - that's been a bit of a head scratcher for me. Essentially, via additional protection systems, we must make things safer, and protect both people as well as the plant.
Reflecting on your time here at UKAEA, what stands out to you as your favorite memory or moment?
I think it has to be the energization of the new 11 kV western ring, which has been both an engineering and commercial battle. Seeing this finalised has been really rewarding.
In our interview with Daniel Steele, we delve into the world of Integrated Engineering and the Power Distribution Group looking at some of the challenges they face at UK Atomic Energy Authority.
