The wave energy engineer25 April 2013
Renewables engineer Lucy Littlewood, 41, has worked for the energy company Alstom for 18 years. She's spent the past four focusing on wave energy at its Rugby office. Her husband Dave also works for Alstom but with steam turbines.
What's your job like?
It covers all sorts of things. I've been helping to develop new technology that we think could really increase power output from wave devices, which is very exciting. I also look at sub-sea surveys to identify depth of sediment and what that means for the number of wave energy devices we can put on the farm. I look at weather windows to see the best time to access our wave devices for maintenance. I also look at test data and work out what that means for power generation.
How much potential does wave power have in the UK?
We've got particularly good resource in the UK and Ireland - we've got lots of exposed coastline which means we're well set. The best waves in the northern hemisphere are off western-facing coasts, rolling in from big seas, so areas like the west coast of the USA and Ireland and the Scottish islands are ideal. Up in Scotland we've got lots of local storms that create high energy seas. If you go down to Portugal, the swell is quite long and slow - it's not nearly as easy to harness wave power.
What's the benefit of wave power?
There's an enormous amount of energy coming off the Atlantic all the time. Unlike wind, there's no way waves are going to suddenly change direction and think, 'Oh, actually I'll potter off round the other side of Ireland'. And because we know waves are always coming, it's much, much easier for grid planning, forecasting, and balancing the range of renewables.
Are these exciting times for the wave sector?
Definitely. I've been interested in renewables for over 20 years and I've seen the sector take its first baby steps. When I went over to the shipyards earlier this year it was great to get to the point of talking about hardware that will actually go out, sit in the water and generate power. I'm looking forward to standing on it, when we've got it moored off the Scottish islands.
Lucy Littlewood witnessing tests of the model scale wave energy device at Marin wave tank © Alstom
Why should the Government set a clean power target?
There is always this lurking concern about whether the green bubble going to burst; whether we're going to get so far down technology development and then people aren't going to be prepared to pay the cost of bringing it to fruition.
If we get a clear target, there will be sufficient market drive. It will give companies more confidence to invest in the sector - and commit them to making that investment earlier. Wave and tidal energy take a while to develop, so confidence is vital.
We're seeing a lot of movement in offshore wind at the moment because it's a relatively small development step compared with what's needed for wave and tidal power, which is only really in its infancy. So if there's a longer-term commitment to renewables generally, it will be easier for wave and tidal to justify taking more challenging steps, which I think are going to be very profitable long-term.
What are your career hopes?
We're at the beginning of technology just coming to fruition. It's a good time to get in as a product leader and have the chance to pick which part of wave energy I'd like to carry on working in. I'd like to carry on up the technical side I think; I can choose which way I want to go as it crystalises a bit more.
How have prospects for women in the renewables sector changed?
I had a technical review the other week where there were two other female engineers, which was a first. One person was about 7 years behind me in terms of experience as an engineer, another was at my level - 20 years in, and the third was a very senior woman who was probably another 10 plus years ahead of me. I've never known so many female engineers, so I think the balance is improving. But I've never felt like I've been held back by being a woman. I've never felt like it's been a difficulty.
How do people respond when you say at a party that you're a renewables engineer?
It's much better saying I work in wave energy than saying I'm a mechanical engineer! Having tried both options, saying I'm a mechanical engineer kills the conversation dead, whereas with wave energy people say, 'Oh, I've seen something about wave power' or 'what's going on with that?'. There's far more interest when you start talking about renewables than just plain engineering.
Feeling inspired? If you want to see more clean British energy, ask your MP to support a clean power target now.
An interview with Lucy Littlewood:
© Alstom
