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igem news

SPOTLIGHT ON...
ENGTECHS

As part of our ongoing series of case studies,
we’re talking to some of our EngTech members
and asking them about their careers and the
ways in which IGEM has supported them so far.
Andrew Simcoe currently works at Northern
Gas Networks (NGN) as a Site Manager ANDREW SIMCOE

ANDREW’S CAREER in the gas industry Richard Ashley, who was my manager is something I am very interested in as it
started in 2013, when he became a when I first joined NGN, not only will change the industry as we know it,”
part-time trainee heating engineer at a supported me in my day-to-day role but he said. With the institution’s support,
small firm in Leeds, alongside an asset also empowered me and nurtured my Andrew is looking to upgrade his
protection role at Eggborough Power interest of the role and the company.” professional status to IEng with the help
Station. There, he worked with some Discussing why he decided to of his IGEM mentor. He hopes this will
great engineers who he says helped him become a member of IGEM, Andrew help to further develop his career in gas.
to realise his potential and progress said: “With the push for net zero Looking towards the future of gas,
his career in gas. In 2015, by chance, and the advances and investment in Andrew said: “Changes are ahead with
he saw a Northern Gas Networks van hydrogen from NGN and the other the push for a low carbon sustainable
parked up near the power station GDNs, I thought joining IGEM would fuel source to provide heat for
and, from that, applied for a role as an be a great place to stay relevant and homes and keep people cooking on
Operational Response Engineer. He was get involved with procedural changes gas. Hydrogen looks to be the most
successful in his application and joined within the industry. With IGEM owning promising option for the industry; it
the emergency response team, based a lot of the policies and procedures for can be used as a fuel in people’s homes
out of York. gas such as the Gas Industry Unsafe and it can be used to generate power,
“During my time as a Response Situations Procedure and tightness so it’s possible that the country’s many
Engineer in York, I was empowered by testing standards, it makes sense to gas turbine power stations could also be
my managers and peers and given the become a member and use the tools using hydrogen as a clean fuel to power
support that helped drive my career and experience for CPD, but also to the lights in our homes.”
forward,” he said. In his current role share my knowledge and experiences. His advice to any budding engineers
as Site Manager at NGN, Andrew looks reading this profile: “It’s a very rewarding
after a team of Response Engineers industry to work in, and the scope
attending gas emergencies (ranging “Hydrogen looks to be the is massive. From smart metering to
from smells of gas and reported carbon most promising option for the emergency service providers to the more
monoxide, to fires and explosions) on industry; it can be used as a fuel technical industrial and commercial
the network. aspects of the industry, every single role
“I am fortunate enough to have in people’s homes and it can be is vital to keeping the country safe and
been nominated multiple times for used to generate power, so it’s compliant. There are positives to take
the NGN Way Award at the annual possible that the country’s many out of every situation. Don’t be afraid
awards ceremony, and although to gas turbine power stations to network with other like-minded
this day I have not yet won, reading individuals and ask lots of questions.
the nominations from my colleagues could also be using hydrogen as “Never stop believing in yourself, or
is honestly reward enough – I can’t a clean fuel to power the lights others. I would say the sky is the limit
explain that nice warm feeling you get in our homes” but, in reality, it’s limitless – there is no
on reading them,” he said. ceiling to your success. Never be afraid
So, what about his engineering to network with new people and ask
heroes? Andrew says there are two “IGEM organises a lot of informative for help or advice and something I will
people that have not only inspired him CPD events with some of the industry’s never say enough: be kind.”
but have continued to support him best. IGEM also works with outside
throughout his career so far: “Dave organisations such as the HSE to keep If you’re interested in becoming an
Tomkin has been my go-to for advice content informative. The Gi journal is IGEM EngTech member, visit www.igem.
relating to gas industry-related issues, great for keeping up to date with what’s org.uk/membership for more information
as well as my continued development going on in the world of gas – one recent or call our Membership Services team on
within the industry and IGEM, and edition was focused on hydrogen, which +44(0)1509 678150.

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