Behind a Reliable Power Grid: Inside Substation Engineering

Most people don't realize substation engineering isn't something you can learn in school. It's on the job training, built on a lot of invisible work that most people never get to see. For Achila Jayasuriya, Substation Engineer Manager, they're where years of technical expertise, teamwork, and problem-solving come together to keep communities powered every day. We sat down with Jayasuriya to learn more about the engineering behind the grid and the work most people never get to see.

A lot of what we do is microprocessor-based upgrades,  technology you've more than likely interacted with but never knew was there. Most of our work isn't physically visible to outsiders unless a device is being replaced, but if your power blinks and comes back within a few seconds instead of staying out, that's the kind of system we're upgrading and protecting. We go out to the site, do our own estimates and analysis, and make sure we're delivering exactly what the client needed to keep the grid better than what it was before.

A major project in motion

Our engineers are currently working on a major multi-year project in New Jersey, started in 2023. It's a full teardown and rebuild of an existing station with all new equipment, a new client, and new standards. We're handling a 500 kV voltage level and have completed the first few phases, with completion expected by 2029.

As Jayasuriya, put it:

"There's a mismatch between the expectation and the effort needed for the work to get done."

That mismatch usually isn't anyone's fault as clients don't always know everything the job involves. Substation work is more involved than it looks from the outside, and our team partners closely with clients to make sure the scope, timeline, and design all line up before construction begins.

Built On Team, Not Hierarchy

What sets our substation team apart isn't just our work, it's how we operate as a team. Decisions aren't made top-down. As Jayasuriya put it:

"It's not like one person tells me to do something and I tell my people to do it. We come to the team and say, 'Hey, this is something we need to do — how do you guys want to do it?'"

When something needs to change, the whole team gets a voice in figuring out how. Jarasuriya says, "we make the grid smarter and more reliable."

It's not the flashiest part of the grid. But it's one of the most critical.

Achila Jayasuriya

Substation Manager

With over 15 years of experience in substation engineering, Jayasuriya oversees complex utility projects from planning through construction. Known for building collaborative, high-performing teams, he combines technical expertise with a commitment to delivering reliable, client-focused solutions.