Edison’s Young Leaders network recently participated in a field trip designed to expand their knowledge of high-voltage sites and deepen their technical understanding.
The first stop of the day was Transpower’s National Grid Operations Centre in Auckland. Shaneel Singh introduced the team to the daily role of a system operator. Using mock scenarios and real-life examples, the group explored how operators respond to events on the grid, including blackout situations.
Next, the group visited Kenny Solar Farm, hosted by Benn Kenny, Ankit Tiyagi, and Grant Lovie. The group learned the story behind the farm's development, from the initial idea to commissioning and export. Observing the layout of inverters and transformers in relation to the network connection provided valuable context, particularly for our protection engineers. For most of the group, this visit was a first and the highlight of the day.
The team wrapped up the day with an engaging visit to the Penrose Substation, led by Hendri de Bruin. As part of the experience, a group challenge was set to trace a selected 220 kV bay and accurately identify all primary assets from end to end, matching each piece of equipment to the Single Line Diagram. Following the activity, Hendri delivered an insightful update on the Penrose project, including a walkthrough of the control room replacement and the complexities involved in managing asbestos in such a large-scale project.
The field trip supported the group’s professional development by providing exposure to a range of HV environments and encouraging questions and peer-to-peer learning.