Institution news
With the call for presentations for this year’s Boiler User Group having been extended to mid-May, Simon explains why he has been heavily involved in this power industry event and why colleagues in this industry should consider presenting.
Please can you kindly explain your job, your experience with these assets and your involvement with the Institution’s User Group.
Simon Schofield (SS): I am a Risk Engineering Consultant for a large insurance company. We insure many boilers, both conventional fossil fuelled units and biomass and incineration units. I spent 17 years as a power station engineer and I have attended many IMechE User Group Conferences, this year I joined the committee.
What is unique about the Institution’s User Group for engineers and professionals?
SS: It is a group which is organised and attended by people who intimately know the technology in use, they understand the challenges which may be present and often have implemented solutions which can greatly assist others. It is also attended by specialist solution providers who use the event as an opportunity to interact with the users and understand the commercial and technical priorities in place for these plants, allowing them to bring solutions to market which are specifically tailored for the challenges faced within the industry.
Why should engineers consider presenting their work at this year’s User Group?
SS: There is the personal development reason, through the rewarding experience of presenting to a group of peers. Depending on what is presented it may lead to learning from someone else attending who may have had similar issues and experiences who presents the possibility of a solution to be found, validation of a solution gained, or simply a common discussion point to allow future collaboration. With a room full of engineers, anything is possible.
What is the most important development in the industry currently?
SS: This is an interesting question and I suspect it changes depending on the user and their technology. As an insurer, our challenge is the longevity and reliability of newer biomass units, with issues of tube failures being very common, some minor, others leading to significant damage. For older coal fired units it is risk associated with a reduction in remnant life and reduction in capital expenditure for units which are being run to imminent closure.
What are the main reasons why you attend each User Group?
SS: Professionally I attend as a Risk Engineering Consultant to gain understanding of how the industry and technology is developing. I gain knowledge of the users, both their potential issues and solutions which are put in place. This allows me to talk to clients with understanding and hopefully to offer opinion which is informed and relevant. Personally, I attend to ensure I remain relevant in this field, improving my engineering skills and following the Continued Professional Development journey required by a Chartered Engineer.
The Call for Presentations for the Boiler User Group 2021 ends 14 May 2021: for a full list of topics covered and how to get involved, please visit the event website.