Career Steps - 7 Questions to Daniel Lupianez

Mr Lupianez Ortiz, the energy industry is changing rapidly. What do you see as the most fundamental changes in your field?

- Wind power has to adapt to a more competitive market. Solar is now a very attractive technology even more suitable than wind in some markets. New players, the increased share of renewables in the energy mix and new capacities make energy companies  look at the future with responsibility and optimism. Technology innovations and new servicing will lead the wind business to the next frontiers.

How do companies react to the biggest change/challenge currently and how should they react?

​​​​- As I see today´s market, there are some challenges that soon have to be properly addressed like a faster access to the grid for renewable projects or the decentralization. The electricity market still depends on big thermal power plants like nuclear or coal to balance the system. Without a proper decentralization strategy and the use of smart grids, it will not be possible to assume more ambitious targets for renewables.

You had already worked in the field of wind energy for several years when you decided to continue your education. Can you explain the reasons?​​​​​​​

- I wanted to get more experience and working in the field, before I continue my studies. I found the wind business challenging enough and I really did not stop learning since the beginning. I always had the opportunity to work with excellent professionals who I learned from every day. After several years working as a technical expert, I wanted to develop additional skills in order to face new opportunities in my career. The modular system of the HECTOR School gave me the possibility to study and follow parallel to that my professional goals.

​​​​​​​Did the study met your expectation? / In what way?​​​​​​​

- It really did, at the end it provided me with all the background needed to understand and assess the whole process of the energy transition we live right now. The program is very robust and it covers all relevant areas of the energy business.

​​​​​​​What knowledge and skills have you acquired/deepened at HECTOR School during the EEM Master's program that support you in your work in particular?​​​​​​​

- The master provides you a deep vision of the energy market, the technology and economics. However, what is unique is the structure of the master, it is divided into five modules of engineering and management and each module lasts two weeks. The intensity of the lessons plus the demand of the program really pushes you out of your boundaries.

​​​​​​​How did you feel about the multicultural project and student research project? What was the content of this work/case study?

- One of the assets of the program is the opportunity to meet other professionals facing different challenges worldwide. In my case, the thesis focuses on the uncertainties during the developing phase of the wind power project. For instance, we look at the investment risk derived from the global warming and its impact on the energy production.

​​​​​​​What do you see as the main advantages of the EEM Master's program for yourself personally, but also for other graduates in view of the forthcoming changes in the energy industry? ​​​​​​​

- The energy subject is very wide and complex. The Energy Engineering and Management program offers the opportunity to understand the major challenges of the current scenario and to focus on possible solutions. One of my favorite modules was Innovation and Entrepreneurship. It provides a different approach based on new businesses and disruptive ideas.​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

I would also like to highlight the quality of the professors and the staff. They really make the difference.