Nia Hughes, one in all our vitality specialists, chats about Octopus Power’s renewable credentials, the brand new Leicester digs, and her work researching methods to assist native cities go inexperienced.
Why did you be part of Octopus?
I studied politics and worldwide research at college with a specific deal with local weather change and renewable vitality. After I graduated I delved additional into that space of analysis, then it got here time to start out the job hunt.
I liked Octopus’ renewable focus, and ambition to offer vitality each inexperienced AND low-cost. For instance, slightly than shopping for expensive renewable gasoline, Octopus makes use of pure gasoline and carbon offsets any emissions with reforestation initiatives in Brazil. Identical environmental affect, a lot decrease value.
So many individuals assume you must sacrifice a superb deal to go inexperienced – nevertheless it’s completely not one or the opposite. It’s nice that Octopus is working to mix these two essential elements to supply renewable tariffs at cracking charges.
Initiatives like that drew me to Octopus, so I upped sticks from Warwick and moved to Leicester to start out the job!
Have you ever had a lot alternative to proceed your work in renewable vitality analysis?
The summer time after commencement, I used to be really awarded a grant funding analysis into the potential to reform vitality in a specific city from fossil fuels to renewables. It was a extremely cool alternative, although a bit daunting, as I used to be the primary ever winner to return from a humanities background slightly than science or engineering.
A assume tank known as Local weather Change Options acquired maintain of my analysis and we’ve since collaborated on quite a lot of initiatives. I’ve spoken on a number of panels and spherical desk discussions alongside trade professionals, lecturers, and different vitality suppliers about methods to convey renewable vitality to native communities.
Our subsequent huge push is getting native faculties to go inexperienced. Tremendous thrilling – I can’t say way more about it in the mean time, as we’ll launch the proposal in April, however watch this area.
What do you do at Octopus?
I’m an vitality specialist within the operations workforce, serving to prospects with something and every thing to do with their provide.
What are you engaged on in the mean time?
Proper now, in addition to my day-to-day ops position, I’m moving into the nitty gritty of metering points and ‘trade stuff’ – working with among the different operations guys to streamline furry trade processes throughout the board and replace incorrect particulars once we discover them.
Particularly we’re bettering meter serial quantity updates, and dealing on cross-metering points (when a meter is recorded as belonging to the incorrect deal with).
What’s essentially the most difficult a part of your job?
A lot of little issues construct as much as make a huge impact. Power firms all have completely different processes, so looking for methods to hold out enhancements and fast fixes between our methods is usually a battle. Includes loads of communication and cooperation.
What’s one of the best a part of your job?
The folks I work with. Everybody round me actually does care.
Plus – there’s a extremely thrilling, recent vibe on a regular basis within the Leicester workplace. We’re rising so quick, you see about 5 new folks each time you stroll in! We’re spreading right down to the subsequent flooring of the constructing, and actually beginning to make the area our personal. We simply put a load of vegetation round. A lot of espresso and bagel runs. All that good things.
Any message for folks pondering of switching?
Go on – we’re good. Low cost and inexperienced.
Any message for individuals who’ve already switched?
Thanks! You selected Octopus, you selected renewables – you’re serving to us save the planet!
