Key Information

Who is Derek Coles?

Proprietor of Power Engineering Services, trading at 68A Ballyvallagh Road, Larne, BT40 3NA. Tel: 028 2827 6222; Fax 028 2826 0191.

Key Responsibilities

I provide technical training, electrical safety rules and site works document authoring, and offers specialist consultancy services for electricity supply businesses, their contractors, and other industries.

I supply quality electrical instruments used throughout the electricity supply industry.

Proprietor’s Qualifications and Experience

Independent Consultant Engineer, with 30+ years experience in Electricity Networks Design, Operation and Maintenance, and associated technologies.

Registered as a Chartered Engineer on www.CharteredConsultant.co.uk - The Consultant A-List.

Registered with Thomson Roundhall in the Expert Witness Directory of Ireland - see www.expertwitness.ie.

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Current Projects

• Providing engineering services for utility asset extension/replacement/renewal programmes.
• Supplying utility electrical test equipment specifically selected to meet customers' applications.
• Training engineers and skilled staff in power systems processes.
• Developing new Health and Safety site documents such as risk analyses, permit systems etc.
• Routine inspection and testing, tracing underground cables, finding faults etc. on High Voltage circuits and substations.

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Biographical Information

Extensive experience on the distribution system including design (LV & HV), construction, operations and maintenance. 2 years overseas (1979-1981) providing 400 KV planning, monitoring and coordinating services to China Light and Power in Hong Kong with British Electricity International.

Experience gained as an Engineer with Northern Ireland Electricity includes the following:

• design of 11KV and LV systems; testing and commissioning of 11 KV and 33 KV substations, cables etc; fault finding on HV & LV cables; designing, building and testing and fault finding equipment;
• Outage planning and operational resource management to facilitate works at all voltages up to 275kV;
• for 12 years, managing a District Office with a team of engineers, clerical and manual staff;
• for 4½ years, as NIE plc Lines & Cables Maintenance Engineer:
• determined maintenance and commissioning standards and procedures for transmission and distribution lines and cables,
• optimised maintenance expenditure in accordance with Network Maintenance policy
• monitored the condition and performance of all lines and cables, and the implementation of maintenance programmes;
• managed Live Line Working (hotstick and hot glove), investigating and reporting on current world practices in High Voltage live-line working, with the intention of adoption of best available practices to optimise working methods with minimum system outages;
• procured appropriate technical equipment for specialist application on the electrical network, to facilitate testing and fault finding.
• At various times, chairing and participating in project groups and working parties to advance safety, work practices and introduce new methods.

I am self employed trading as Power Engineering Services since leaving NIE plc in June 1997.

In conclusion, my Business Profile is based on applying personal skills developed throughout employment with Northern Ireland Electricity, and those gained in marketing and business management courses since becoming self employed, to deliver broad specialist engineering services and instrument sales to utilities. These services are enhanced by introducing other specialist engineers where appropriate.

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