Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED

Transforming the Grid | Louise O’Flanagan EirGrid

Listen on

Episode notes

Ireland is working toward sourcing 80% of its electricity from renewable sources in just six years. 

One of the key players in this mission is the Head of Engineering at EirGrid who is responsible for overseeing the delivery of critical grid infrastructure. In this podcast she shares experience on the complexities of integrating renewable sources like wind and solar into the grid, about balancing supply and storage solutions, plus technical and regulatory hurdles that engineers must navigate. She also speaks about the challenges she has had to face personally as an engineer in this role.  

Listen now to get a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of Ireland's power grid and our transition to renewable energy. 

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

  • The role of Head of Engineering at EirGrid
  •  Do we have a creaking old grid?
  •  Problems storing energy from renewable sources
  •  Moving energy across long distances
  •  The planning system
  •  Challenges she is facing in 2025


GUEST DETAILS

Louise O’Flanagan is the Head of Engineering and Asset Management at EirGrid, a Fellow of Engineers Ireland, and a leader with two decades of experience in the field. 

With her long experience connecting customers such as wind farm developers to the national grid, she possesses a deep understanding of the intricate workings of the power system and the challenges of integrating renewable energy sources.

Louise on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-o-flanagan-3a12ba3a/
EirGrid Website - https://eirgrid.com


MORE INFORMATION

Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/   

Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland.

QUOTES

Leadership is one part of project management. Leadership is about getting people to buy into what you want to deliver and to want to help and assist you in that.

There is definitely a shortage of female engineers in Ireland. 23% of engineers coming out of university are female and that drops to about 12% actually entering into the workforce. EirGrid have a very active graduate program where you'd see 50% of our graduates are female.

As an engineer, you can have the most perfect plan on paper. But unless you actually meaningfully engage with your stakeholders, that may be where that plan will stay. On paper.

It's what a lot of engineers’ face when they're delivering infrastructure projects. First, you need to explain what the need of the project is, but then also listen and take on board that feedback. You must engage with the community.


KEYWORDS

#engineering #renewable #grid #womeninengineering #eirgrid