National Grid is at the heart of improving

the energy landscape for future generations.

Smart Metering and Smart Grids will be
a necessity in the future and a key part of
National Grids work.
So we need smart students to make this happen. A Power
Academy Scholarship with us can offer you an incredible
insight into an energy company, plus you can see if we are the
right ft for you longer term.
Wanted:
Smart students
Power Academy benets
Ideal way to develop hands-on experience in a
large organisation
Excellent exposure to the Energy and Power industry
Provides a head start for your career and will give you
an insight into different career paths
Places you in a strong position for future opportunities
with National Grid
Opportunity to gain a broader understanding of our
whole business
Deliver excellent performance during your placement
and you will be offered an opportunity on our Graduate
Development Programme at the start of your fnal year,
leaving you free to concentrate on achieving that all
important grade
Opportunity to work across the UK (must be willing to
work away from home)
Before you start, we will contact you to discuss your
project in order for you to have the best development
experience possible. We will also provide ongoing
feedback and support throughout your programme
An exceptional opportunity to see inside National Grid
and see if were the company for you
Salary - 15,000 pro rata
Graduate Buddy to support you during your placement
The Power Academy gave me
a great variety and breadth of
experience in Engineering, and
allowed me to hit the ground
running on the Graduate
Programme.
David Adkins, Technical Engineer
Power
Academy
TOP
COMPANIES
TOP
COMPANIES
2013/14
http://careers.nationalgrid.com
Megan Doyle
University of Bath
The project I worked on this summer was with another of the Power Academy scholars; we were based in the Asset
Integrity team who predominantly focus on the repair and replacement of existing equipment on the system. Our
project over the eight weeks was to investigate National Grids current philosophy of dealing with sulphur hexafouride
gas leaks in equipment and to produce a strategy document detailing how this could be altered to further reduce the
leak rate.
Initially, there was a vast amount of data and work completed internally for us to evaluate, as well as the necessity
for us to gain an understanding of the current strategy. We then continued this project by building a model with the
various factors that would impact the leakage rate and set ourselves the target of achieving 0.5% leakage rate by
2020. Using the model, we investigated how plausible this target was and the wider implications it would have within
National Grid.
Along with our completed model, we produced a strategy document which detailed how the current strategy would
have to be amended to achieve our target. All of this work will be taken forward and used to progress the project
further. The opportunity to produce a tangible result which has real life implications is the main reason I chose this
project and it was defnitely worthwhile.
Ryan Monaghan
Manchester University
Non-invasive vibrational analysis of HV circuit breakers was carried out over an eight week period within the Asset
Policy department at National Grid UK. The main aims of the project were to obtain vibrational signatures from a
verity of circuit breaker families for condition monitoring purposes.
Training was provided by very welcoming and helpful staff, consisting of various site visits to refurbishment centres,
substations and test sites.
Testing was carried out at a training facility on a number of circuit breakers. The tests consisted of a high speed
camera to check for delayed breaker operation, a directional microphone and analysing unit to obtain an audio
recording, and an accelerometer connected to an oscilloscope to obtain the vibrational waves through the breaker
casing.
The raw data was analysed using MATLAB and the acoustic signatures were created.
A report was produced and a presentation was given, describing the methods and procedures adopted with clear
indication for future work.
Personally, this project was extremely benefcial for my development as an engineer. I was able to work as part of
a team while liaising with various departments across the business, mixing academic and practical skills at a highly
professional level in an enjoyable and friendly environment.
Ross Strachan
University of Strathclyde
During my 2014 Power Academy placement I worked with the Offshore Network Development Team in National Grid
House, Warwick. The Offshore Network Development Team is responsible for developing a connection offer for an
offshore developer, generally wind farms and interconnectors. I chose this project because I wanted to gain a better
understanding of how offshore wind is developing as a renewable energy source within the UK.
As part of my placement I was asked to produce a fowchart that would detail the connection offer process.
During my placement I spoke with various National Grid employees from different departments in the company. I also
referred to legal documents that National Grid must adhere to when operating the electricity network. Furthermore, I
attended several meetings with external companies who are currently in the process of connecting their wind farm to
the electricity network.
The information I gathered during the research stage of my placement allowed me to develop the fowchart and a
supporting document detailing the connection offer process. I presented my work to both my fellow Power Academy
scholars and the Offshore Network development Team.
David Adkins
Southampton University
I left Southampton University in
2010 with my Masters in Electronic
Engineering. I had secured my
graduate scheme place with
National Grid, so I deferred and
took some time out to become a
qualifed ski instructor and work for
Syngenta. Since joining National
Grid in 2011 I have had six formal
roles, with multiple projects in
each, my career has been anything
but slow-paced! Every role has
brought its own challenges, from
applying my degree directly by
designing the future National Grid
Transmission network in System
Design, to widening my skill set in
Public affairs, building a deeper
relationship with DECC and
running one of our campaigns, to
my latest role as a Best Practice
Engineer, where I am deploying
National Grids new way of
working (Performance Excellence),
into both offce and operational
teams across the South. National
Grid is such a big company, with
so many teams, it is a fantastic
place to develop quickly and
get on in your career. Next step
unknown as yet, but next goal is
Engineering Chartership!
http://careers.nationalgrid.com