Kirill ALEXANDROV: “There are no trivialities in our profession”
The decision to become an energy engineer was made by me back in my school years, in the tenth grade. Although before that I wanted to become a lot: welder, engine repairman…
I was attracted by the fact that my parents worked as power engineers, and I was interested in the stories that happened to them at work, and about which they told. And my parents wanted me to follow in their footsteps. And so it happened: I entered the Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, and graduated with honors, having received a master’s degree in Electric Power Installations of Power Plants and Substations.
My path to the profession was standard: I graduated from college, began to look for work. And when I was offered to try to get a CHPP-2, I submitted documents, went through interviews and was accepted to the station in 2021. I remember well my first working day, or rather the first impression of the station – I was struck by its scale and territory.
At that moment it seemed to me that this was a separate city. Therefore, I got acquainted with the station for a long time. So it is customary here: first there is an examination, and then a long study of the geography of the station, where what equipment is worth.
It was Dmitry Andreevich Ofitserov who was my first mentor at the CHPP, at that time – the leading engineer of RZA with more than ten years of experience. He taught me a lot. In general, I am lucky for good people: and, although I never had an idol, but in life there were many people from whom I learned a lot. One of them is my godfather, Alexander Mikhailovich Borisov. Even today, the support of parents, close people and colleagues helps me to live and work. For me, mother Tatyana Timofeevna Alexandrova is considered an authority, but the last word remains with her father Stanislav Vladimirovich Alexandrov.
Since I got a job at a thermal power plant, my entire career has been connected with the electrical workshop. I am currently working as a leading engineer in the electrical engineering laboratory of the CHP-2 electrical workshop. Our main circuit group is engaged in checking and setting up complex protections for the main equipment of the station, such as generators, transformers, and power lines. In addition, we are reviewing the instructions and drawing diagrams. But most of all, I like working on installations for testing relay protection.
Of course, there have been many different situations during my work, including difficult ones. I remember once when my colleague Olzhas Imangali and I had to look for ground on a DC shield. As it turned out, the earth was on our equipment, and my colleague and I stayed until nightfall to fix this defect. The defect was fixed and we restored the normal operation scheme.
The most important thing in my work, I consider curiosity – to the smallest detail. I know from my own practice that it is the little things that set the most puzzles, and give the greatest result in our work. Indeed, as a rule, the cause of serious problems is often some kind of trifle, which, without knowing the equipment well, is difficult to find. It is important to have an interest in your work, the ability to get to the truth of the problem. And when I don’t know something, or it doesn’t work out, I remember the wise advice of my teacher in higher mathematics Nadezhda Sergeyevna Panfilova: “If you don’t know something, it’s better to be honest about it than to guess and say the wrong answer.” This is especially important in our profession – to fight for work, knowing for sure the right decision, but I don’t know – to read, ask, prepare.
The salt of our profession is also in learning without stopping. And my professional dream is to become a high-class specialist in my field and grow in my career. Therefore, for me, one of the most significant events in my life was the graduation from the magistracy with “honors”. This became a new impetus in life, gave strength and faith in success.
It is also important for me to develop leadership, leadership qualities, since I am now in a leadership position, and I need to be able to properly delegate responsibilities to employees, and be an example to follow myself. Now my responsibilities include managing my group, and when the head of the ETL is absent, I replace and fulfill his duties. And I try to serve as such an example to my colleagues, since I became the head of the department and it is necessary to comply in order for employees to strive to develop and grow their careers.
We work in serious production, where teamwork, and the ability to quickly respond to the situation, and make decisions are very important.
Therefore, due to the specifics of production, my working day can pass in different ways, depending on the situation and the tasks set. There are planned works that we must carry out on schedule. And it happens that it is necessary to restore the operability of the equipment, eliminate the defect for the further operation of the equipment.
To be honest, in my work most of all I like non-trivial cases that require operational and non-standard solutions, which ultimately help to expand knowledge in the energy sector. Thanks to this, experience is growing. It is also important for us to know, always remember and comply with safety requirements. Personally, I adhere to the rule: “Before work, evaluate which elements can be turned off so as not to turn off something unnecessary.” Decisions must be made without panic, slowly, after considering everything carefully and only then make decisions to complete the assigned tasks.
I think the company AlES occupies a very important place in the Kazakh energy system. Not only because it has the oldest asset – a CHPP-1 with a 90-year history, and not only because it is the largest energy company in the south of the country. But also due to its specifics: it consists of departments where there is equipment for generating both electricity and heat. AlES is also engaged in the operation and repair of generators, transformers.
I really like the fact that our company is socially oriented, a lot is being done for workers. For example, of the latest innovations – new canteens with free lunches for staff, it is convenient, modern, and responsible.
Everyone who comes to work in AlES notes that a unique, close-knit and friendly team has developed here. Interesting erudite people work here, everyone has their own hobbies and their own plans for life. I don’t want to lag behind my colleagues. I also have hobbies: in winter – skiing, in summer – cycling and hiking in the mountains. Board games, meeting friends, reading books are also among my priorities. I love reading Jack London, especially his “Martin Eden,” am also carried away by Agatha Christie’s detectives. Only at first glance, detectives are frivolous reading. But they make the brain work, think logically, solving the author’s riddles. What is very important for our profession is to keep the mind alert and alive.
Our profession is very difficult, somewhat dangerous. But it is very bright and necessary for people, society, and economy. It is a pity that now young people are reluctant to enter the industry. And for those who choose our profession, I would say that energy requires knowledge, responsibility, attention, so you always need to be on the alert and remember about safety rules. This work must be loved, and then everything works out. And if I, a hereditary power engineer, had a banner, then it should have the Sun – a symbol of light, warmth, goodness and hope…