At Avangrid, we’re accelerating transformation for our customers and communities by pioneering a brighter energy future. By balancing decades of experience with a relentless pursuit for forward-thinking innovation, we’re creating a smarter, stronger grid, growing our energy generation system, and pursuing new solutions every day. In honor of National Engineer’s Week, we are highlighting the brilliant minds behind the innovations we’re making. Meet Fred Schiavi, Lead Commercial and Industrial Energy Engineer.

What made you pursue engineering?

Growing up on a small farm, we were always fixing farm equipment, building structures, and making anything work with not much to work with. My father didn’t have an Engineering degree but he could design, fix, and build anything so I was an Engineer in training at a very young age.

What drew you to the utilities industry over other engineering fields?

I started and spent 25 years as a Manufacturing Engineer in various roles. When I built my house in 1996, my focus was on building a home with the most energy-efficient materials and equipment available. I became enamored with energy efficiency and set a goal to move into the Energy Engineering field at some point in my career. In 2012 my goal became real when I started as a C&I Energy Engineer in the Conservation Load Management Group with UI.

How do you see engineers playing an important role in the future of energy?

Engineers will play the most important part of worldwide growth and development. Engineers will be tasked with managing the increasing and never ending demand for energy and energy efficiency.