EM - February/March 2013 - (Page 18)

February/March 2013 www.esb.ie/em ESB Networks Ltd ESB Strategy Briefings in ESB Networks 8 ESB Networks is actively engaged in briefing the ESB Strategy 2025 and the ESB Networks Strategy to all our staff. AT OUR briefings we outline the key strategic priorities identified in the Strategy and discuss what we aim to achieve for each of these key priorities, up to 2025. We consider the main challenges facing ESB and ESB Networks at this time and also the many opportunities we must embrace to continue to be a successful business into the future. We also discuss what the strategy means for the ESB Networks business, our key strategic initiatives and consider how each of us, in our teams, will contribute towards the delivery of the ESB Networks strategy. The briefings are generating many questions and much debate and are feeding into our Business Planning for the year ahead. We consider the Our aim is main challenges for all in ESB facing ESB and ESB Networks to Networks at this time be familiar Jerry O'Sullivan, MD ESB Networks Ltd. addresses the gathering. (l-r): Paul Tobin, Finance; William Phang, HVD&C and Peter O’Hagan, HVD&C. (l-r): Brian Nunan, HVD&C Cork; Sarah Gallagher HVD&C Clanwilliam; Geoff Prendergast HVD&C Castlebar and Padraig OHiceadha, Manager HVD&C. with the key elements of the ESB and ESB Networks strategies, understand why they have been chosen as the best path for ESB at this time and clearly identify the important role each of us play in the delivery of our strategy and bringing about ESB’s continued success. ■ “ 18 SMART GRID FUNDING page 20 ESB NETWORKS REALIGNMENT Contents ❱❱ ESB NETWORKS has carried out a realignment of their organisation, to facilitate the exits provided for in the Cost Base Agreement. In November 2012, ESB Networks published their new Organisation Structure and invited staff at Middle and Frontline manager level to express an interest in roles in the realigned organisation. The final decision on assignment of staff to each role in the realigned organisation was made by the ESB Networks Senior Management Team and was announced on 14th December. The Realignment Selection outcome was 12.5% rotation of managers within the business. The breakdown of individuals moving roles was: • 34 out of 133 Middle Managers (25.5%). • 28 out of 232 Front-line managers (12%). • 10 out of 209 Team members (5%). ■ The new Organisation Chart is published on the Homepage of the ESB Networks Intranet site. The realignment enables the ESB Network Flexibility Agreement, facilitates our VS exits and supports an engaged and agile workforce, (which is one of the key priorities of the ESB Strategy). Best wishes to all who are taking up new roles. ■ 'Rapunzel' raises an amazing €12.5k for charities! Chris Peoples, who is currently working on the new 110kv Binbane line, recently took part in a head shave to raise funds for meningitis and muscular dystrophy research ■ Work successfully transitions between Cork and Galway Teams in Cork and Galway have completed the exchange of Timesheet Processing and Accounts Receivables between both locations ■ ESB Networks staff minimise the impact of Christmas storm Staff and crews were once again ready, prepared and willing, when they were called upon to respond to the impact of storm damage over the Christmas period ■ Preparing students for the working world ESB Networks Cavan/ Longford has established a link with Ardscoil Phadraig, Granard to provide students with work life skills and insights into the world of work Attendees at a strategy briefing. ESB Networks migrating to a Next Generation (NGN) Telecom Network The growth in smart networks and falling costs of IP equipment means that utilities now need to start to invest and migrate to IP technologies for their operational networks. Manufacturers of IP equipment are predicting huge growth in demand for their products from the utility sector to support smart networks. Governments, utilities, universities and manufacturers are all working together to develop the cyber security solutions that are needed to operate and control the electricity network. UTILITIES AROUND the world are dealing with a huge increase in the number of devices with which they need to connect. These devices range from line sensors, such as fault passage indicators, breakers, voltage regulators and smart meters. The traditional telecoms equipment that provides end-to-end circuits need to evolve to support this huge increase in devices and the capacities required. Telecom operators faced this problem a decade ago in terms of the huge growth they anticipated in connecting to home PCs and ultimately to mobile devices. Their solution was to adapt internet protocols (IP) to develop their new architecture. For instance, British Telecom (BT) announced in 2005 that they would invest £10 billion over five years in moving to a next generation network (NGN) based on IP technologies, which they called ‘21CN’. Utilities have been aware of this solution, but have been slow to adopt this technology due to legacy investments in place in traditional equipment, as well as the greater risks to cyber security this solution introduces. The American Government has introduced standards for critical infra- Telecoms Operations Centre. structure protection and UK utilities, in conjunction with telecom services, have established a cyber security workforce to develop the standards and solutions needed to enable IP technologies to be used for the control and operation of the electricity network. The EU is funding industry and academia to develop solutions based on the Internet protocols (IP) to improve energy networks. Waterford Putting the micro disc on the system at the Saggart Hill site. Institute of Technology, which is focusing on cyber security for utilities, has joined ESB in the EU-funded FINESCE project (see separate article in this issue) to develop the solutions needed. This evolution has begun: the new East-West interconnector uses this new IP technology and there is a joint project under development with EirGrid to deploy PMUs to transmission stations in 2013. ■ http://www.esb.ie/em

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of EM - February/March 2013

EM - February/March 2013
Contents
News
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BSC & Electric Ireland
ESB Networks Ltd
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EM - February/March 2013