Briony

Graduate Energy Engineer

Leeds

What is your name and role at AECOM?

My name is Briony, I am a graduate energy engineer at AECOM, I specialise in low carbon district heating systems and other sustainable energy solutions within buildings and places.

How long have you worked for AECOM?

I have worked at AECOM for over 6 months.

Describe your role and day-to-day work?

My role focusses on delivering low carbon solutions within the energy sector. This mainly involves the design and implementation of district heating systems across the UK, often working with clients such as local authorities who are moving towards their NET zero carbon goals. Within these projects I have had the opportunity to identify low carbon heat sources, heat customers and design the routes and energy centres which make up a district heat network. In other parts of my role, I have contributed to research and design work which will help to influence and implement policies in the UK to push district heat networks further. Furthermore, I have worked on projects consulting with clients across the globe on how they can decarbonise their buildings, with focus on energy solutions. All these projects have required me to use mapping software, economic and carbon modelling tools, and to report on my work to a high standard, using tools such as Microsoft Word and Excel.

Thinking about the projects you are involved in – what impact have you had to improve social outcomes for communities?

Part of the work I do within my team focusses on the social outcomes of decarbonising the energy sector. As climate change and inequalities continue to affect many people across the globe, creating low carbon and fairly priced energy and heating systems is important to increase energy security and climate resilience within communities. This is something I do through my work, collaborating with clients and stakeholders to ensure the heating solutions we deliver support a just energy transition.

How has your work at AECOM contributed towards having a positive impact on the environment?

The work that I do through AECOM falls under the Sustainable Development Group, so protecting our environment and mitigating the effects of climate change is at the heart of all the work that I do. The work I do is helping the UK, and the globe, to reduce carbon emissions within the energy sector through identifying ways to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and to increase future climate resilience. I work with individual clients to find tailored and innovative solutions to reduce the environmental impact of heating and cooling our buildings and homes. Outside of project work, I have been able to join a Green Team, which allows me to partake in finding ways to encourage our office and teams to make better decisions which benefit the environment.

How has AECOM helped you in your career development?

Through my time at AECOM so far, I have been supported in a plethora of ways to develop at an individual and a team level. I have had access to a multitude of online training tools, have been invited to professional development webinars related to my line of work, including talking to a variety of companies. AECOM has also supported my enrolment with a professional body so I can become chartered in my technical field and has connected me with a mentor to support my progression in this. As a graduate, I have been invited to attend training days and webinars with other graduates across the UK and Ireland to aid in developing professional skills such as communication and leadership, which has been helpful in developing these skills, but has also been a great opportunity to network across other sectors with people at similar points in their career as me. I have also been supported to attend networking events outside of AECOM, and will be attending my first conference soon, which I am really excited about. All these different avenues of support, alongside a very supportive management team have already allowed me to develop exponentially as a person and as an engineer.