Recognition from the Energy Institute as a Chartered Engineer - Essay Example

? DRAGANA ZIVKOVIC Tell: +971 (0)55 1021488 Dubai, UAE Email: granada73@yahoo.com Application for Recognition as a Chartered Energy Engineer through the Energy Institute PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT REVIEW INTRODUCTION In the past fifteen years I have committed myself to the pursuit of a professional career in energy engineering acting as a consultant in various capacities to the industry. In order to expand the possibilities and opportunities open to me, I wish to obtain recognition from the Energy Institute as a Chartered Engineer. This is essential in my role as a consultant and I wish to have employers assisted in their recognition of my qualifications and experience, so that I am able to expand my services to include varied and wide-ranging technical, and also commercial, leadership positions. The last five years of my career have been particularly focused on energy analysis, and it is in gaining these competencies that I believe that I have become able to meet the criteria set by your institute. My central area of expertise is in renewable energy, and in this pursuit, I have become skilled in technical standards development, feasibility studies, energy efficiency and building design. Within the renewable energy framework, my focus has been on photovoltaic systems in the form of standalone generation solutions, which includes solar water heating appropriate to building requirements and to help achieve sustainability targets through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally among the standalone systems I have experience of as a member of teams is in the evaluation of double-effect solar cooling systems. This experience was gained in the testing of the viability of using the sun’s heat to cool buildings in the Masdar City project, referred to in more detail below. Furthermore, I have been involved in numerous feasibility studies to evaluate renewable energy efficiency options in the building services. Simultaneously, I have become experienced in the conceptualisation of delivery models; the establishment of management systems; engineering design; technical specification development; and the management of projects. Solid waste treatment has been part of my responsibility, as have types of tunnel ventilation. Currently my desire is to extend my career into a position with a growth-oriented organisation, where my technical and commercial, as well as my managerial capabilities can be exercised. I wish to secure an upper-level position, which will be able to provide challenges and rewards by offering a wide-ranging set of responsibilities, both in terms of engineering and leadership. While this may be possible outside of my particular specialities, fire fighting design and LPG design, it would also not be impossible for me to find new challenges and directions within this direction. Nonetheless, I would appreciate the recognition of what I have done already. Therefore, I respectfully wish to submit that my qualification levels, the variety of my experience, and my continuing contribution in the field enable me to apply for the abovementioned recognition through your organisation. PROFESSIONAL HISTORY Above and beyond my academic qualifications – my MSc Thesis was entitled “Fuel cells and Efficient Power Generation” – , my current experience and work history enable me with confidence to list a number of key competencies, and engineering related skills which I am able to deliver well. Additionally, specific aspects of my experience are highlighted, as they relate to this application. These are noted below, as a precursor to a more detailed description of a number of highlights in my career, relevant to this application. Current Competencies Summary An outline of my competencies related to management, leadership and project management: Good communication skills in Serbian, English and Russian (at an intermediate level) Client liaison, project management briefing and presentation; and ongoing client support and maintenance of client relationships Independent organisational and managerial planning to ensure production; deadline compliance; cost management; change control; and team coherence Project management liaison across engineering disciplines Design and management of quality assurance systems, control and document management within policy and scheme frameworks Leadership of proposals, offers and tenders for projects within defined design and cost parameters Preparation of time-based work schedules and monitoring and management of the actual work against schedule planning; preparation of consequent defect lists, reports and action plans Liaison with company superiors in terms of planning, running of projects and potential risks, reporting to superiors with a solutions-based perspective Liaison with independent contractors from all project-related disciplines to include quality control, final testing and commissioning Development and administering of engineering concept, preliminary design and final design review processes Current Skills Summary Energy analysis and management Environmental legislation knowledge Technology futures and business strategising Sustainable engineering Renewable energy technology proficiency Demand management and energy storage Environmental impact assessment Research methods, project planning and experimental design Combined heat and power Mechanical engineering – building services, construction and mechanisation, fluid dynamics and process technologies Health and Safety knowledge Conversant with technical reviews, value engineering, quality control, variations, planning and scheduling Knowledge of best practice with regards to sustainability, environmental performance criteria and energy targets Knowledge of NFPA, CIBSE codes and British Standard Specifications and Codes of Practice Highlights and Achievements Ventilation and Airconditioning I have been part of the design and implementation of low energy initiatives, passive cooling, natural ventilation, low-carbon procurement and sustainable selection strategies. On occasion I have also reviewed and reported on such initiatives and processes. Some of these innovative technologies are high efficiency chillers, thermal energy storage, dehumidification systems from a district cooling perspective, and network development – with emphasis on chilled water, liquid desiccant and low-temperature hot water. In addition, I have carried out cooling load assessments, and considered such options as energy recovery ventilation systems, variable speed drives, the utilisation of waste heat and economisers and energy management to extend the capability of systems. Public Health Design I have been involved in the design of systems to increase sustainability with particular focus on water conservation and recycling, pollution control and waste management and treatment (LEED) as well as hot and cold water design, with above ground stations and below ground drainage systems. Gas Installation Design I have also designed pipe routing systems for the implementation of gas networks. This included pressure regulation and metering stations, and required a basic knowledge of gas detection systems. Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) was utilised in one of my schemes to fire large scale laundry boilers. Irrigation System Design The planning and design of irrigation fixtures according to specification and local requirements have also been part of my experience. Fire Fighting I established and developed the Fire Fighting and Gas Design for the Mott MacDonald Group in Dubai and India. I am also affiliated to the NFPA Association. In this capacity, I was able to incorporate efficient, cost-effective passive and automatic fire protection systems. Hydraulic systems for minimal water consumption during the testing and commissioning design of high fire extinguishing; gas suppressions systems for minimal environmental impact in light of global warming (GWP); and zero ozone depletion potential are facets which I have given particular attention to. Below follows a chronological outline of my career and work history, in terms of companies by whom I have been employed, and an overview of the positions and responsibilities tied to those companies. The section following this will detail specifics of the projects and tasks I have been involved in, with a view to establishing my competency in relation to the criteria for the recognition I am applying for through the Energy Institute. Employment History February 2011 to the present For this period, I have been employed as the Principal Mechanical Engineer by the Mott MacDonald Group, in Dubai, UAE. In this context, I have been responsible for the analyses of district cooling options and system and network requirements for input to the Stage 1 Master Plan for the Male International Airport, in the Republic of the Maldives. My tasks included the safety and reliability, capital and operational costs and the resilience and constructability the district cooling design. Previously to the Male International Airport initiative, I was involved in the Dubai Pearl project for this company. I was the Team Leader for Fire Fighting and LPG Design. In this capacity I followed the project from concept to tender, at the Dubai Pearl, in Dubai, UAE – a mixed-use, 20 million square-foot integrated development, comprising 4 towers, joined at their apexes, to house residences, hospitality businesses, retail and leisure ventures, and intelligent office space. April 2010 to January 2011 My employer during this period was Oger International, in Abu Dhabi, UAE. My designation was MEP Manager, in which capacity I managed and coordinated the discharge of MEP contractors, and the MEP consultants, according to the tenets of the construction contracts, on a daily basis. As part of these responsibilities, I was required to identify, implement, and correct potential threats to project completion dates. In this arena I was part of the team of the Supervision Consultant, Quantity Surveyor and MEP Manager, providing recommendations to the Senior Project Manager. The major project on which I worked for Oger was on the Sowwah Square development. May 2005 to April 2010 From 2005, I was appointed as the Principal Mechanical Engineer/Energy Analyst by the Mott MacDonald Group, Dubai, UAE. Prior to this appointment, I was the Principal Mechanical Engineer (Fire Fighting and Gas Installations Team Leader) for the same company. As the Principal Mechanical Engineer/Energy Analyst, my portfolio was diverse and included a broad range of disciplines related to “Energy” generally. A major project completed during this period was Masdar – the first zero-carbon, zero-waste city in the world, centred in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and costing $22 billion. Please see below, in the Section Detail of projects, highlights and focused experience where the specific details regarding this project are examined in detail, with reference to the engineering aims of the establishment of this city. As Principal Mechanical Engineer (Fire Fighting and Gas Installations Team Leader) my primary responsibility was to assess fire fighting and gas installation design. For the ROO Phase Zero Camp, in Basra, Iraq, I was responsible for the full fire fighting design, and for coordination with the client. In the New Doha International Airport (Doha, Qatar) I was the MEP project manager for the Passenger Rail System between Doha City and the New Doha International Airport. Other projects I was involved in during this period were the Asia Asia Hotel (Dubai, UAE); the Dubai Festival City, Woods begot and Mott MacDonald Offices in Dubai; the Hotel Ixir in Manama, Bahrain; the Hotel Kempinski (also in Manama, Bahrain); the Karachi Port Trust project in Karachi, Pakistan; the Bin Hendi Centre (Dubai, UAE); the District Cooling Plant in Dubai Investment Park; the refurbishment of the Deira City centre, in Dubai; construction of four military installations in Basra, Iraq; and the Bahrain City Centre project, in Manama, Bahrain. February 2004 to April 2005 In this period of my career, I was an energy engineering consultant based in Dubai, UAE. In this capacity I managed a mechanical design team, provided technical support on site and led start-up and performance testing. I was responsible for design, submittal review and development of all mechanical engineering deliverables, and worked on the following major projects: Tower N2 – Jumeriah Lake Towers (Residential and commercial building) Tower R3 – Jumeriah Lake Towers (Residential and commercial building) Tower F2 – Jumeriah Lake Towers ( Commercial Office building) Kazim Tower - TECOM, Dubai, UAE (Commercial office tower) Primary School – Al Safouh First, Dubai, UAE Twin Towers – TECOM, Dubai (Commercial office towers) Madinat Bader-Urban Development, Al Muhaisanah First, Dubai, UAE (Over 100 residential villas) December 2003 to February 2004 My position at Ahmed Bu Kallah Contracting Company, in Sharjah, UAE, was as a Mechanical Design Engineer, and I designed drainage, water supply, sire fighting, gas and irrigation systems on residential buildings/ December 2002 to October 2003 In Paphos, Cyprus, I was a Mechanical Design Engineer for Mourouzides Consulting Engineers. In this capacity, I performed multi-disciplinary design review for primarily private villas and hotels, but also completed work for a Maternity Hospital in Athens, the St George Clinic in Limassol, and the Atlantica Grand Hotel in Paphos. September 2000 to November 2002 As the Mechanical Design Engineer for Carbo Concept, in Belgrade, Serbia, I designed moulds incorporated in machines, upgraded and improved existing machines, and was responsible for the operational status of PET perform plant, process monitoring and trouble shooting of the machines and processes. My major projects for this company: an automatic blow-moulding machine, with capacity over 4000 bottles per hour, a similar machine with 2000 bottles per hour capacity, a half-automatic blow moulding machine and a thermo tunnel. May 1999 to August 2000 My position during this period was as a Service Design Mechanical Engineer. I was employed by ASV CO Construction Bureau in Belgrade, Serbia. Here, I designed parts for transport vehicles, mainly buses, for power transmission systems (shafts, gears etc.). A highlight was the design of power transmission for a Yugoslavian Army Tank, model T84. January 1997 to may 1999 As a Service Design Mechanical Engineer at HIP (Chemistry Industrial Pancevo) in Pancevo, Serbia, I was responsible for diagnostics of equipment conditions, determination of damages, redesign and design of parts for replacement, and assistance to the project manager. Detail of projects, highlights and focused experience In reverse chronological order, the following details of projects give some notion of my eligibility. Dubai Pearl, Dubai, UAE (February 2011 to the present) My current employment requires that I become involved in detailed design, preparation of drawings and specifications, seek relevant approvals from local authorities, issue for tender, tender evaluation, and supervision of work as per design. Thereafter, I have also to carry out the testing, commissioning, and the handover of projects to the client. I was in my previous assignment, in the position of Team leader for Fire Fighting and LPG Design, from concept to tender stage for the Dubai Pearl project. The Dubai Pearl is a 20 million Square Foot integrated destination development, overlooking the Palm Jumeirah. It has already received pre-certification from the US Green Building Council and the Gold Level for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The Dubai Pearl utilises environmentally-friendly technologies to conserve energy, recycle water and re-use assets. A large-scale solar boosted hot water generation plant, high-efficiency building facade, optimised ventilation system, extensive grey water collection and re-use systems, green roof and heat recovery systems characterise the development. Recycling facilities for paper, glass and food waste are also incorporated, and non-hazardous construction materials will be salvaged, while all demolition waste from the site was used by the Dubai Municipality for land development work. With particular focus on sustainability, my responsibilities in this project include the design of gas powered boilers to fire hotel laundries and the development of PV panels to generate power for water heaters. Sowwah Square (April 2010 to January 2011) Designed as a flagship 450,000m2 office, retail and hotel development, Sowwah Square is set to become the commercial core of Sowwah Island, with first occupations having been taken in mid 2011. Four office towers – 30-36 storeys provide office and retail space – and two five-star hotels – the Rosewood Abu Dhabi and Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi – surround the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange building. As the MEP manager at Oger International, Abu Dhabi, UAE, I was responsible to manage and coordinate all MEP contractors and consultants. Briefings with the MEP contractors and consultants on a regular basis enabled me to ensure the roles of all parties associated with the projects were defined. I instituted reporting procedures, ensured flow of information and kept relevant parties up-to-date with project status. I was called upon to plan, organise and supervise the work of the MEP subcontractors, ensuring that work was performed within the parameters of the project schedule. In addition, the budget analysis and budget variance studies had to be compiled and communicated to my superiors, and I was required to review material submittals and specialist contractor, subcontractor and consultants’ drawings and documents. Masdar City (2008-2010) In 2008, I was appointed as the Principal Mechanical Engineer/Energy Analyst by the Mott MacDonald Group, Dubai, UAE, and embarked on the projects as the site-wide infrastructure design consultant for Masdar City. I was required to predict the project requirements for power, water, communications, cooling, transport and drainage. My brief included preparation of Carbon/Energy reduction reports for the client; demand management; technical data evaluation and technical advice; advising on energy management; reviewing renewable energy technologies, and evaluating their applicability to the project; estimating energy efficiency; data measurement and monitoring on site; feasibility assessments; support of economic analysis; energy bill validation; and evaluation of risk and mitigation strategies. The United Arab Emirates had formulated a renewable energy strategy and master plan for the construction of this development. The wide-ranging suite of renewable energy technologies I was able to draw from included: geothermal; solar PV; CSV and energy from waste; and a whole range of non-commercially available technologies, which could be identified for future use. Masdar City aspires to be one of the most sustainable cities in the world. It covers approximately 6km2 and is an example of the global trend toward clean-technology clusters, ensuring that its companies are at the centre of the renewable energy and cleantech industries globally. The city is situated 17km from downtown Abu Dhabi, and is a high-density residential and business development. Nonetheless, it is designed to be pedestrian-friendly, and showcases current and future renewable and clean energy technologies and strategies. It also is a site at which to research, develop, test, implement and consequently market such technologies and strategies. At full build, the city will house 40,000 residents, and hundreds of businesses. An integration of the full range of renewable energy and sustainability technologies will be aimed for in both residential and commercial development, and the top-notch university already established, will continue to source innovative technologies, to lead research and development, and to produce highly skilled graduates in the energy field. Masdar has successfully activated a proprietary double-effect solar thermal cooling system – the first in the Gulf region and one of only a handful in the world – to test the viability of using the sun’s heat to cool buildings.  “Green” air conditioning systems generally consist of conventional compression chillers powered by electricity from photovoltaic panels or concentrated solar power plants. While such conventional chillers and air conditioners use electricity to run a compressor, a double-effect absorption chiller such as the one being tested at Masdar City uses heat to activate a chemical process that provides chilled water for cooling. The system provides sustainable cooling to 1700m2 of office space using advanced air-conditioning and delivery equipment, such as active chilled beams and an air handling unit that achieves 75% energy recovery. The objective is to demonstrate that high-temperature solar thermal cooling is more cost effective and requires a smaller collector footprint compared to a conventional electric chiller plant powered by solar-generated electricity. The solar cooling pilot installation produces cooling equivalent to approximately 80 conventional split-type air conditioning systems, leading to annual emissions reductions of approximately 70,000 kg of CO2 The Masdar Institute was developed in cooperation with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and is operational already, with its students and faculty the first residents of the city. Planned for the city are the Middle East headquarters and Centre of Excellence in Building Technologies R&D (Siemens); the first Ecomagination Centre constructed by General Electric (GE); a Schneider R&D centre; BASF developments; the Swiss Village Association development; the Korean Technopark Association development; and the International Renewable Energy Association (IRENA) construction. All these organisations have embarked on long-term partnerships with the UAE in the development of Masdar City. My responsibilities here were focused on these energy strategies: Managing the energy self sufficient development, meeting all energy requirements trough renewable energy Integrating the full range of renewable energy and sustainability technologies, across a living and working community Taking key responsibility for writing guidelines for selection of all sustainable infrastructure materials Utilising SDM method (Sustainable Decision Model) for comparing key aspects of the viable options for district cooling and selecting the best considering all criteria Contributing sustainability input to discussions for overall planning of the city masterplanning Writing reports on low energy initiatives, passive cooling, natural ventilation, low-carbon procurement and sustainable material selection initiatives Estimating Capital Cost for district cooling and infrastructure materials Developing sustainable solid waste collection and treatment concepts Of particular significance in the Masdar project, are three innovative strategies to deal with carbon management, power, and the raising of capital. These are considered below in some detail: Carbon Management Reductions in carbon emissions are ensured through energy efficiency, waste heat/CO2 recovery, and carbon capture and storage (CSS). These are managed centrally by Masdar Carbon, and value is brought to industrial asset owners by the offer of monetary value, as per the UN Clean Development Mechanism, or any future international climate trading schemes. An end-to-end solution is offered – carbon finance, project identification and management, technology sourcing project analysis, and registration at the United Nations. Under the CDM, Masdar’s portfolio is geographically centred on the Middle East, Africa and Asia, while its sector focus is on oil, gas, and power. Thus projects range across a diverse spectrum, including gas flaring reduction, gas leakage reduction, combined heat and power, industrial CO2 recovery and solar power. In cooperation with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, its group of companies, and others in the power and industrial sectors in the Emirate, Masdar Carbon is developing one of the world’s most ambitious large scale CCS projects. Carbon Dioxide will be captured, as emitted from power plants and heavy industry, transported via a national pipeline network, and injected into Abu Dhabi’s oil and gas reservoirs to enhance oil recovery. Currently the project is in the front-end engineering and design stage. At completion, it will capture 5 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, contributing to Plan Abu Dhabi, 2030, and helping to reduce the Emirate’s carbon footprint. Power Masdar Power develops and operated renewable power generation projects. Strategic utility projects are the focus, and Masdar Power directly invests in individual projects in all areas of renewable energy, particularly Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) photovoltaic solar energy and on – and –offshore wind energy. With its partners – Abengoa Solar, and Total – Masdar Power is developing the 100MW Shams 1 CSP Plant in the western region of Abu Dhabi, planned to be the largest CSP plant in the world. Further developments currently underway include a 30MW wind farm and a PV array on Sir Bani Yas Island. The goal is to contribute to the generation of 7% of Abu Dhabi’s energy needs from renewable resources. Masdar Power is further involved in international projects such as the 1,000MW London Array offshore wind farm, and a wind farm in the Thames Estuary, set to be the largest wind farm in the world upon completion. In the Seychelles, the company is building a wind farm that will provide 25% of that island’s energy needs. Capital The Capital arm of the Masdar company seeks to build a portfolio of the world’s most promising renewable and clean technology companies. It provides capital and management expertise and targets companies with the greatest global potential, and also those which can be of benefit to the UAE. Clean energy; environmental resources; energy and material efficiency, and environmental services are identified areas for investment. Co-funders range across the international stage, from European investors such as Credit-Suisse and Siemens AG, to the Japan Oil Development Company Ltd. and General Electric. An active management investment strategy is adhered to and renewable technologies are seen as able to realise strong risk-adjusted returns for investors. Below, an outline of my experience and specific skills, gained throughout various projects and aspects of my career: Multidisciplinary project teams have allowed me to work in energy analysis, infrastructure and transport engineering I have liaised with clients, local authorities, contractors, subcontractors, consultants and superiors effectively and efficiently On occasion, conflict resolution has been necessary and through meetings and an action list, as well as technical support and assistance, I have been able to resolve conflicting expectations among colleagues, clients, contractors and consultants and superiors Thanks to my project allocation, I have extensive experience in the engineering aspects of high-rise buildings, shopping malls, and multi-purpose urban development precincts I have developed detailed building design aspects such as elevated stations, service trenches, PRT tunnels and PRT stations for site infrastructure Budgets, costing estimates, financial risk management and financial troubleshooting have been part of my responsibilities on numerous projects For the Dubai Festival City project, I was required to be the construction project manager, and was able independently to plan and oversee all aspects of the project, including working to financial targets and reviewing all aspects of design In numerous projects, I have been commissioned as site supervisor, and in this role have gained experience in management of people and crisis-management Investigation of existing infrastructure has characterised most of my work on projects, and the consequent evaluation and recommendation process have gained me invaluable insight into costing change Hydraulic calculations for the refurbishment of the Deira City Centre in Dubai added a level of new experience to my portfolio In researching for specific projects, I have learnt the need for compliance with local regulations and practices, from specifications, codes, standards to resolution of technical problems The data sheet preparation, budget preparation, presentation planning and delivery, and client liaison inherent in much of my everyday activity have provided me with further invaluable experience. My Aims In the delivery of my work, I aim to create flexible and resilient developments that anticipate and respond to climate change, which are carbon responsible, energy efficient and address the need for reliable, efficient and sustainable sources of energy. I make sure that I research and study the most current developments in the field and believe that it is possible to integrate varied sources of energy to optimally design developments and buildings which are appropriate to “living green” principles. It is my focus to ascertain the client’s needs and objectives accurately, and to consider the business case for every project, and identify all possible constraints and risks the client may face. Cost-effective engineering design solutions, without sacrificing quality, delivering optimal value to the client form the basis of my thinking. In seeking to deliver this, cost-estimating by considering life-cycle analysis, operational and maintenance expense, and the client’s budget and programme are primary. Local and international standards inform my thinking throughout the process of finding solutions for clients, and I encourage and propose the design of energy-efficient, environmentally responsible and economically viable buildings and developments. It is my assertion that such thinking will further ensure the return on investment needed by the client, in order for investment to be viable. For many clients, the “bottom line” plays an equally important role in determining the viability of projects – capital and operational costs are being considered equal, in fact, to the safety and reliability aspects, and the resilience and constructability criteria. A significant advantage that I feel I have is the ability to identify and recognise deficiencies in design, and to find appropriate and creative solutions. Improvements I have recommended and advised have been adopted throughout my career. Beyond my experience in the directly technical aspects of engineering, I have also gained much experience in the associated, necessary requirements of the job. In terms of the management of people, from assignment of work, delegation, reviewing, evaluating and monitoring, and even conflict resolution, I believe I have come to the point in my career where I am able to take on responsibility beyond the purely technical. I have also been widely exposed to the financial and economic implications of the technical work I do and, having had to manage budgets, assess risk and plan for contingencies, I believe that my skill set has been expanded significantly. I have remained current in keeping abreast of developments and innovations in my field, and concentrate on maintaining my theoretical knowledge. In the field of energy, the opportunity for creative and innovative solutions are plentiful, and I have striven to take advantage of these opportunities, developing systems and designing solutions which have been new and effective. In furthering my career, I have had to identify opportunities, and ally myself to new, innovative projects and initiatives. For specific projects, I have sought the most appropriate solutions, in light of my values, through research, investigation and cooperation, to deliver design which is most suited to the current needs. My structuring and planning of quality management has been consistent and wide-ranging, and I have developed leadership skills which will stand me in good stead in future projects. The knowledge base I believe that I have acquired is diverse and multi-faceted, and beyond that required for continued work in the purely engineering-design-based spheres of projects, and can now be seen to include people management, effective communication, strategising and delivery. CONCLUSION The review of my career, above, has enabled me to put into perspective many aspects of my responsibilities and capabilities, and the evolution of my role within the field of engineering. I am able with confidence at this point to apply for the recognition of your Institute. I would greatly appreciate your favourable consideration of this application and am grateful for your time and the opportunity. Read More