National Engineers Week: Nuria Cortes Moradell
At Avangrid, we’re accelerating transformation for our customers and communities by pioneering a brighter energy future. By balancing decades of experience with a relentless pursuit for forward-thinking innovation, we’re creating a smarter, stronger grid, growing our energy generation system, and pursuing new solutions every day. In honor of National Engineer’s Week, we are highlighting the brilliant minds behind the innovations we’re making. Meet Nuria Cortes Moradell, Manager Automation Projects.
What made you pursue engineering?
I’ve always been interested by how things work and have had a natural inclination towards problem solving and innovation but, most importantly, I was inspired by my father and sister, both engineers in different fields. Both of them have shown me and demonstrated the impact and potential of engineering in solving real-world problems.
What advice do you have for high school and college students interested in pursuing a career in engineering?
The field of engineering encompasses a wide array of specializations, ranging from electrical and mechanical to civil and beyond. Moreover, within each specialization, there exists a diverse range of job positions, varying in the degree of technical knowledge applied, the balance between fieldwork and office-based tasks, and the level of collaboration required, among others. This diversity presents an advantage, allowing engineers to tailor their career paths to align with their interests and strengths at each stage of their career.
I would advise aspiring engineers to take the time to explore different disciplines and job roles through courses, internships, or extracurricular activities so they can identify what resonates with them the most so they can make informed decisions about their career trajectory.
Can you share an example of a project or idea you have been working on that you believe will shape the future in a positive way?
The distribution automation project that we execute involves automating the distribution system through the installation of recloses featuring automatic grid restoration schemes, along with enhancing remote operations. This initiative will positively shape the future by enhancing the integration of distributed energy resources into the grid, optimizing network performance, boosting grid resiliency, and streamlining the utilization of line crews and truck rolls.
What do you love about being an engineer?
As an engineer, I love seeing the tangible results of our work. Whether it’s witnessing a project come to life or observing the positive impact of a solution on the community. Additionally, I appreciate the continuous learning and growth inherent in the engineering and, last but not least, I find satisfaction in having the opportunity to solve complex problems and innovate solutions that have a real impact in society.
