00:00 [Music]
00:19 Guy Jefferson, Chief Operating Officer, SP Energy Networks.
00:24 We're here today in our Cambuslang depot.
00:27 This is one of the locations in Scotland that we manage our emergency actions out of.
00:32 So here at our Cambuslang depot, this is one of the locations in central Scotland
00:37 that we utilise for our day-to-day working,
00:40 but also set up our emergency action centres in the event of storms.
00:43 So the Predict for Resilience project is a technology that we are going to utilise
00:48 to better affect our emergency response.
00:52 It uses AI and machine learning and data sets that we have from weather forecasts and previous storms.
00:59 We merge that together with the topography of the land that we have here in central Scotland
01:04 and also information like vegetation management, where that lies across the central belt.
01:11 We pull that together and when we see a weather forecast coming over the horizon
01:15 up to seven days in advance, we're better able to predict how that will impact our network
01:21 and therefore able to react more quickly in the event of a storm
01:25 and get people back on supply more quickly.
01:27 We are working with our partners on this project and using central Scotland and north Scotland as the pilot area.
01:34 But once we complete the work, we would look to roll that out across the UK
01:39 with all the other distribution network operators,
01:41 so it has a benefit across the UK customer base, not just Scotland.
01:46 So unfortunately, due to climate change, extreme weather is more likely.
01:52 Even though we have extreme weather quite a bit here in central Scotland in particular,
01:57 the likelihood of going off supply is still quite remote.
02:00 But if you do, it's really important that you phone 105, which is our emergency helpline,
02:05 and inform us that you're off supply.
02:07 Also really important, if you're out and about in difficult weather conditions,
02:12 you see one of our overhead lines on the ground perhaps, do not approach it.
02:17 Do not approach it. Phone us again on that same number, 105,
02:22 and we will mobilise engineers to come out and make safe
02:25 and hopefully get you back on supply as quickly as possible.
02:28 Adele Ramsden, lead engineer, Transmission Circuits Operations, Scottish Power.
02:33 This is one of our operational depots, and this is a storage and operational garage
02:38 that is used by Scottish Power Transmission Circuits team.
02:42 So within here, we've got all our equipment that we would need.
02:45 Our duty is when there's faults and storms and things go wrong,
02:49 we have to get out there and fix it to get our customers back on as soon as we can.
02:54 So we have this strategic store here where we've got all our equipment around us,
02:59 the spacers that go on the power lines, spacer chairs, all-terrain vehicles, spare conductor,
03:05 just basically anything we think we might need in the event of an emergency
03:09 to get that network back up and running.
03:11 I'm the lead engineer in Transmission Operations Circuits.
03:15 My background is very much construction-based, like building power lines in this type of industry.
03:21 I started this type of industry when I was about 17, so I've been here for 33 years now,
03:27 and I really enjoy what I do. It's every day is different.
03:30 You would come into work thinking that you're going to do something one day,
03:33 but it never turns out that way. There's always something else needs done.
03:36 In my early days, women in engineering became quite popular,
03:40 and then society swung away from that, and that kind of quietened down.
03:45 But then again, in the last decade, I've seen a big increase again.
03:49 Everybody's welcome here. Nobody would be picked because they were a woman or because they weren't a woman.
03:55 I think we're a very diverse company, and it genuinely is.
03:59 It tracks all walks of life, but I genuinely would say you get your job based on how well you can do your job.
04:05 We don't go down that route.
04:07 I won't say it's an easy life, because you've got to be prepared to do what everybody else does.
04:11 It doesn't matter what you are, you need to do that job as an engineer.
04:15 And if that means you're going out in the dark and the cold and bad weather and storms and snow,
04:20 working your social life, that's what you have to do.
04:23 You can't expect any allowances, but I would highly recommend it as a really good career.
04:27 [Music]
04:33 [MUSIC]
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