Blog

Coffee Break with Colin Jones

Once a month, we share a morning coffee break with one of the Powerstar team to find out more insight into their day-to-day role and why they enjoy working within the Energy sector.

This month, we’ve caught up with Colin Jones, our Head of Projects. Here’s what he had to say…

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB ROLE WITHIN THE ENERGY SECTOR?
I have previous experience in the energy sector from a company called Hydratight.

Hydratight are a Birmingham based, but international company predominantly focused on the oil, gas, and nuclear sectors. I headed up the projects department there for 18 months back in 2007.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY AT POWERSTAR
There is only one work for it, hectic! From managing the daily Obeya (our project communication platform to the business) to working through project issues, whilst also collaborating cross-functionally on process improvements. For me the day has too few hours!

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST ABOUT WORKING IN ENERGY?
The contribution to a greener future, is my main motivation for working within the energy industry.

I have 3 grown children and a grandchild on the way, I’d like to think I helped with developing solutions that are fit for a more sustainable future.

ARE THERE ANY DRAWBACKS TO WORKING IN THIS SECTOR?
It is frustrating that some people seem to be in denial over common sense approaches to energy waste, which isn’t encouraging.

Communicating new approaches and working towards a holistic solution is the only way forward. Everyone needs to work together to improve things for the future.

WHAT’S YOUR PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT TO DATE?
For me it has to be the completion of ten years’ service to the army, the experience humbled me.

DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES OUTSIDE OF WORK?
I am a former dive instructor and therefore in my spare time am a keen technical scuba diver.

ADVANCEMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY OFTEN CAUSE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN MANY INDUSTRIES, SUCH AS ENERGY. WHAT RECENT TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES HAVE HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOUR PERSONAL LIFE?
There are too many to mention in my personal life but, I have to say the intelligent energy savings from the Powerstar range with Energy management software are the most impressive, sounds glib but it’s true.

IF YOU HAD TO GIVE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE TO PEOPLE SEEKING JOBS IN ENERGY, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Be prepared to roll up your sleeves, it’s a fast ride.

WHY POWERSTAR?
The Powerstar battery energy storage system impressed me, I saw it as a significant technological contribution to energy conservation and not to mention saving up to almost a quarter of electricity costs. Who wouldn’t find that impressive?

DESCRIBE TEAM POWERSTAR IN 3 WORDS
Innovative, Dynamic, Progressive.

Colin has quickly become a valuable member of the team at Powerstar and we look forward to working with him for many years to come.