"You feel that you’re contributing to society’s energy supply"

Working close to fast-flowing water also comes with significant safety responsibilities. Under controlled conditions, employees practise working in moving water and helping one another in challenging situations. Vattenfall’s focus on preventive safety is one of the things Pär appreciates about the workplace. Another is the feeling that his work serves a greater purpose. “You feel that you’re contributing to society’s energy supply. That’s a really important part of the job – and it makes the work meaningful.”

Models show how water moves

The physical models Pär builds in the lab are used to verify calculations and study how water will move through a planned or rebuilt facility. The tests provide valuable input for the next stages of the design process. The journey from model testing to a completed facility can be a long one. The results need to be analysed before the solution can be engineered, designed and built. Even if it takes time before Pär gets to see the final result at full scale, the models play an important role in reducing uncertainty and finding better solutions.

“It feels good to know that we can help improve the hydropower facilities that are already in place. By upgrading and optimising them, we can make better use of existing resources.”

The work relies on close collaboration between several different areas of expertise. Designers, test managers and workshop colleagues all contribute their own expertise.

“None of us could do the whole job alone. We have very different skill sets within the team. Some of us work with drawings and test planning, while others are experienced boatbuilders and welders. Together, we can create some pretty advanced solutions – and solve most challenges that come our way.”

Digital twins reduce the need for travel

Pär has also become increasingly involved with Vattenfall’s digital inspection team. By taking measurements in digital twins of different facilities, the team can gather valuable information. In the digital model, employees can, for example, check dimensions, inspect spaces and plan installations without first having to travel to the facility. When the office and the facility can be as much as 800 kilometres apart, the technology offers clear benefits.

“We can avoid a lot of unnecessary travel. It’s a smarter use of resources and also improves the working environment, as fewer people need to spend time on the road or visit hard-to-access locations.”