James Twomey
Senior Project Engineer, EirGrid
The need to tackle climate change is unlocking new opportunities in the workforce. What does that mean for the next generation of engineers?
Engineers like James Twomey at EirGrid, the organisation responsible for managing and operating Ireland’s transmission system, are playing a central role in supporting the transition to a clean energy future.
Embracing the challenge of renewable energy integration
“As the energy sector transitions to renewable sources like solar and wind, the infrastructure required to integrate these into the national grid is becoming more complex.” Twomey is a Senior Project Engineer at EirGrid. His role involves overseeing substation upgrade projects, to help integrate more renewable energy onto the grid.
He says: “We are working on a transmission network that needs to support fluctuating energy sources. This requires cutting-edge technologies like energy storage, smarter grids and real-time monitoring. Such advancements not only position Ireland as a potential leader in renewable energy exports, but also foster innovation in grid flexibility. It’s about creating a sustainable, reliable energy future for Ireland and I’m proud to be part of that process.”
We’re dealing with an evolving
electricity supply and demand dynamic.
Building skills for the future of engineering
Before beginning his engineering career, Twomey started in product design after earning his degree at TU Dublin. He later transitioned to design engineering, which he believes enhanced his problem-solving and practical skills.
“Product design is a unique course combining engineering, business and design. I see a lot of similarities working on energy projects. It was instilled in me how we can design products, to ensure we are not creating unnecessary waste or harm to the environment,” he adds.
“I believe people should explore careers outside of their degree field. Since coming to EirGrid, I’ve transitioned into a project engineering role, which I wouldn’t have considered while in college. This work can be highly technical, requiring skills that go beyond traditional engineering.”
Electricity supply and demand dynamic
Twomey concludes: “We’re dealing with an evolving electricity supply and demand dynamic, as well as lots of new technology and new energy sources. It’s really exciting to be part of such a dynamic company and industry, where we’re all working towards a cleaner, greener future, generating 80% of Ireland’s electricity from renewable sources. What’s required is constant innovation, and we need people with the right sets of skills to make this happen.”
