SGS People: Spotlight on Laura Kane

Laura Kane graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Electronic and Electrical Engineering from the University of Strathclyde. Laura has worked with Smarter Grid Solutions for 7 years in various capacities including, Smart Grid Analyst, Senior Consultant and most recently Senior Product Owner. She is experienced in delivering innovation and business as usual projects for utilities, public sector organisations, research institutions and private sector in the UK and in North America.

Tell us a little about your background?

I studied Building Design Engineering at University of Strathclyde and specialized in Structural Engineering. I loved the multi-disciplinary approach of the course, and I was sure I’d graduate from there and go on to work with a big consultancy doing multi-disciplinary building design.

But then there was a recession, graduate positions for Buildings were few and far between, and I took a gamble and applied to the Wind Energy Center for Doctoral Training at Strathclyde. After one year of study in all aspects of wind energy, fast forward to 2014 and I left Strathclyde 10 years after starting with a PhD in Electrical Engineering looking at Access Arrangements for Wind Generation connected to ANM Schemes in the UK.  

What motivates you about your work with SGS?

I enjoy the innovation of what we do.

I’ve been with SGS since 2014 and in that time I’ve watched SGS grow and change, but the work I’ve been involved in has always had innovation at the core.

I’ve had so many opportunities to share new and fresh ideas with individuals – whether that’s as part of delivering a project, writing blogs, holding workshops or speaking at conferences.

What do you like best about working at SGS?

The people. The best thing about SGS are the individuals who work here.

There are always challenges to being a small company, competing with the big players for business, but what we lack in scale, we make up for with the skills of the individuals who work here.

What has been your biggest achievement so far at SGS?

Leading the SGS part of the bid for the Charge project. I had been involved in lots of different parts of delivering NIC and NIA projects over the years but to be involved in the NIC process from the very start was great experience.

What are your hopes for the clean energy sector in the coming months and years?

I am hoping Electric Vehicles can transition from being the scary, new, expensive technology to being the standard choice of vehicle for everyone. I know there are lots of steps to work through before we get there, but it’s possible.

Looking forward, what impact are you hoping SGS will have?

Moving in to the Product team, I’m looking forward to driving the development of our product and making sure we can compete in some of the new markets emerging for DERMS across the world.