Dairyland is celebrating Engineers Week 2022 from February 20 to 26. This year’s theme — Reimagining the Possible — recognizes how engineers create new possibilities from green buildings to fuel-efficient cars to the energy that powers our lives. By working together, engineers develop new technologies, products and opportunities that change how we live. This EWeek we’re taking a look at what it’s like to be a Transmission Design Engineer at Dairyland.
Jim Bertelsen, Supervisor, Transmission Engineering, joined Dairyland in 2008 after graduating from Minnesota State University (Mankato) with a degree in Civil Engineering. Originally, Jim planned to continue his career as a civil engineer, building roads and highways while he was working as an intern for the City of St. Paul. However, when a position opened in Transmission Line Design at Dairyland, a new challenge presented itself. “Transmission line design engineering isn’t something you can go to school for and learning a new side of engineering excited me,” said Jim. “The La Crosse area was also a big draw with the bluffs and the river, there are so many outdoor activities to do.”
A career milestone for Jim has been passing his professional engineering test. This certification requires over four years of experience and three letters of recommendation to apply. The eight-hour test certifies you as a professional licensed engineer, which is required to sign and seal engineering documents.
Jim describes a typical day in Transmission Design Engineer at Dairyland as “hard to predict” since plans and projects are always developing and changing. As far as the make-up of their days, Jim categorized it into three areas and applied percentages for estimated time spent on each.
Meetings – 15%
Meetings with the project team to discuss budget, constructability and schedule are a big part of the planning and development process. “A project team of individuals from Real Estate and Right of Way, Environmental, Maintenance, Construction and so on, meet together to walk through each design,” said Jim.
Designing – 60%
Each transmission design engineer is assigned a project that they are responsible for designing. “During this part of our day we are working in software, moving poles around, determining pole strength and checking sag and tension,” said Jim “We also collaborate with other designers by having them look over our designs.”
Collaboration – 25%
Working with multiple different departments, cooperatives and designers is part of the consistent communication that is required to do this job. “We’re working together on current projects while planning for future ones,” said Jim. “We meet with other team members and ask questions on designs, purchasing and procurement. It takes a lot of people to make sure we are completing projects safely, reliably and affordably.”
Beyond the day-to-day task of the job, what keeps Jim inspired and excited about the future of transmission engineering at Dairyland is the changing dynamics of the energy industry. “When planning transmission lines, you’re always considering what the future might look like,” said Jim. “You’re always balancing the current need with future ones.”
While Jim uses the question of “What does the future look like” as motivation to continue to practice critical thinking, research and decision making with transmission planning, he also shares how it’s the hardest part of his job. “Not having adequate time to solve complex problems is always a struggle when planning and designing projects,” said Jim. “My wife would tell you that if it was up to me to name any of our kids, my 10-year-old would still be TBD. I need time to weigh the good and bad of everything and as an engineer, I always want to make sure we are making the best decision possible. Keeping safety, cost and reliability in the forefront.”
“Overall, transmission engineering is a very rewarding job when you get to see your designs come to life,” said Jim. “I’m excited to see how the industry continues to change and our role in shaping that here at Dairyland.”