The renewable energy world is changing at a rapid pace and offers new job opportunities with special chances and challenges. In this series, we ask people who are working in different areas of the renewable energy sector 5 questions about their jobs:
1. Why renewables? Profession or vocation?
Profession. As an electrical engineer, energy is a big part of what I do.
2. What in your career prepared you in particular for your current job?
My whole career has been mentored by engineers graduated in the 60s and 70s, the people who actually developed the country. Both my technical training and college prepared me for my country's circumstances at the time, and taught me how to adapt, which is what I have been doing in recent years.
3. Do you have role models, and if so, who and why?
A lot of people.
From the generation that tutored me, the engineers Luiz Venâncio Franco (my father), for always being faithful to his values; Normando Alves, for the example of always making himself available to anyone by answering questions and sharing his professional experience; Édson Martinho, for the example of unselfish commitment to his values, whose effect is evident at Abracopel; and João Gilberto Cunha, for exemplifying the practice and importance of good engineering.
Among my younger mentors, the engineers Ramon de Oliveira, from Grupo Gera, for showing me we can always aim higher; and Luis Fernando Ortega, from Ecotechne, for showing me we can always do more.
4. What was your biggest professional challenge?
Going bust and starting from scratch again.
5. What has been your greatest professional achievement?
When I was invited to write a book for Procobre.( Brazilian Copper Institute ) .
Procobre invited me to write the book “Solar photovoltaic power in Brazil: Concepts, Applications and Case Studies” to provide an overview of the market for grid-connected photovoltaic systems in Brazil, covering the development of the Brazilian PV market, basic concepts of power optimisation in PV systems, electrical system design, common flaws and issues in installations, grounding and equi potentialisation, investment analysis and case studies.
Vinicius Ayrão Franco, Electrical Engineer, Sinergia Consultoria