Profile
Peter Burgess
My CV
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Education:
11-16: Holy Trinity, Halifax. (1995-2000) 16-18: Greenhead College. (2000-2002) Universities: Imperial College (2002-2007), University of Reading (2010-2015)
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Qualifications:
A levels – Physics/Maths/Chemistry/French, MSci Physics with French, MSc Environmental Technology (with Energy Policy), EngD Solar Irradiance data for solar power.
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Current Job:
Solar power performance analyst
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I write computer code to make charts and tables for all our sites so we can find out where sites, or parts of sites are not doing as well as they could.
I test our design models against data from completed sites to make sure our models give an accurate picture of what will happen when we build a new solar power system.
I think a lot about the environment which is why I work in solar power, ride a bike everywhere (longest trip – about 500 miles in a week; normal week at work – about 90 miles), and try to keep to a 1/3 vegan, 1/3 vegetarian, 1/3 omnivore diet (This is my compromise solution to the impact of my diet on the environment).
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My Typical Day:
Finding ways to improve our solar power systems
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I have a typical month more than I have a typical day.
At the start, I gather all the data I need to review the performance from the last month and run a series of tests. When that’s done, I will look at the results and arrange for problems to be checked out. Sometimes I can tell based on the data what needs to be done, other times it needs someone to go visit the site in person.
When the monthly checks are finished, I often work on a new piece of analysis – at the moment, I’m working on a process to analyse the performance of all the inverters on our sites. Inverters are the brains of a solar power system, converting dc power from the solar panels to ac power for the grid, and sending lots of performance data in the process. There can be anything from ten large inverters to a thousand small ones on our sites. Looking at all of them at once means we can quickly see small drops in performance by comparing across all the inverters.
I go to meetings with our engineering team to feed back what we have learned from looking at site performance so they can improve their design processes, and with companies we buy from or partner with to find better ways to do things.
I will also look for new research in solar power performance that our company can apply in our work.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
Given myself super powers and Work with Solar Aid
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
optimistic, nerdy, pretty green (that’s four)
Were you ever in trouble at school?
No, I was one of the smart kids that tried to stay out of the way. Still am.
Who is your favourite singer or band?
My radio has one setting: 6Music
What's your favourite food?
I like simple things done with good ingredients.
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
I want the ability to teleport and/or stop time. I want a planet with a sensible climate when I’m older. I want to stay happy.
Tell us a joke.
The government’s energy policy is a sick joke. I’m not laughing.
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