Joe Da Costa provides a profile of his work experience for LinkedIn. He has extensive technical expertise in areas critical to the safety, cost and performance of power networks. This includes transformer design, fault level analysis, protection system design and incident investigations. As an example, he took full responsibility for ensuring adequate power supply and protection for the 2012 Olympics venues in London. He has also audited protection systems at major UK airports. Da Costa brings considerable value through complex analysis, technical advice and lectures that help optimize network operation and minimize risks.

1. Joe Da Costa - PROFILE FOR LINKEDIN
1. The work I do requires “thinking out of the box” and is key to the safety, cost and
performance of the network. Due to my high skill set I am a technical authority for the
Company in areas such as the design of transformers, incidents, earth fault current design,
risk of running plant abnormally, fault level design on the system, correct specification of
equipment, technical lecturing, and advice to other departments and dealing with technical
questions from Company employees. This contributes to the Company’s safety,
effectiveness and sound operation of its power delivery business
2. By way of example, with respect to the 2012 Olympics I had full responsibility of making sure
that UKPN would be in the best possible position to supply power with minimal disruption to
the Olympic venues from 400kV to 415V. This also involved NGT, as they provided us with
400kV and 275kV supplies. I went to NGT’s headquarters and met with its most senior
protection specialists. We discussed the detail and they gave me all the information I
requested. I then carried out the detailed analysis to check that their protection was not
going to be a problem. Settings were altered by NGT in accordance to my calculations.
Previously this work, which was on a huge scale (124 Substations to be audited, calculations,
corrections, revisions and an interview with CKI senior engineers (who had come from Hong
Kong to see evidence of the audit), was going to be given to outside consulting engineers
(Mott MacDonald). The expected cost was high and, given my skills and knowledge, the work
was given to me. A very experienced consultant (former LEB protection engineer, Jack
Miziniak) was engaged to assist me. I managed and directed him throughout the project.
3. My involvement in UKPN incidents is technical in nature and HSE sometimes get involved. As
an example - the 1-5 Charing Cross Road fatality incident. I met with the HSE HM Principal
Electrical Specialist Inspector, John Steed and another HSE Investigator, Dr Anthony Gray
from the HSE’s Laboratories. Our Head of Health & Safety, Nick Rogers, EDF Energy was also
present. Tony Cohen (EDF Healthy & Safety Director at the time) also attended for part of
this meeting which was held in London (see Appendix C). I gave a presentation that lasted
for nearly 3 hour to explain why the fatality had occurred. At the end of the meeting Dr Gray
told me that he was “totally saturated” with my explanation and he thanked me in relation
to the technical content of what I had said. This meeting required input from me of the
highest professional and technical standard in order to properly represent our company
given the circumstances of the incident. Examples such as this demonstrate that I have made
a considerable contribution towards minimising the Company’s exposure to litigation and
loss of reputation.
4. I was also involved in the recent Kingsway Tunnel investigation where I gave specialist
information on size of estimated flame/burst/temperature conditions that could start the
fire in the tunnel (see Appendix E). This was forwarded to Burgoynes who were engaged by
UKPN to carry out a forensic investigation. They are international specialists in the
investigation of fires, explosions and other major incidents. Bernard Bourdillon, one of their
investigators, was given my name (by Dave Folkerd, Head of Operational Innovation &
Technology) for enquires.
5. I have also audited the UK main airports for the protection of their electrical networks.
These were Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, London City, Glasgow and Edinburgh. This
required me to learn at high speed the airports way of protecting their electrical network

2. (see Appendix F & G). I liaised with a Principal Consultant (Alan Jeater of LPA world) to
change his proposed settings. This again required input from me of the highest professional
and technical standard in order to ensure adequate protection was in place for the UK’s
main airports.
6. The technical lectures that I have given within UKPN have been of great benefit to our
engineers and I am sure this has contributed to the success of our business.
7. My work involves complex analysis and calculations and I am the only employee in the
Company that uses a particular maths software product. It is a maths engineering tool to
analyse and solve equations. You can build equations and define variables and the software
can provide graphical representations of equations. It does mathematical modelling of
engineering ideas. I use Mathscad as a tool to do my calculations in transformer design for
UKPN. I also use it for regulation fault level calculations and other ideas that need
mathematical verification. These calculations are complex and can be quite long, requiring a
trial and error approach. Mathscad proves and verifies that the operation of our electrical
apparatus can be depended on for safe and good performance on our network.
8. There is much more evidence/documentation available that clearly shows my involvement
in work that goes well beyond that required in my substantive grade. If required, I will be
happy to produce this evidence.
9. I have added value to my individual position by becoming a more valuable employee for
former LEB, London Electricity, 24 Seven, EDF Energy and the current UKPN owners. This has
enabled me to be creative and to provide real benefits for various departments and sections
within the Company. This I have accomplished by getting myself involved in areas of work
that are not normally covered in my job role. Reference to anyone who knows me in the
field is not a problem as to my technical ability which relates to our business of power
supply.
10. I list a brief outline of the areas that highlight my involvement and contribution to UKPN and
our past owners.
(a) Transformer Design up to 120MVA- Calculation and design of Impedance Envelopes to
ascertain reactances and tappings to give safe loading limits, controlled fault levels and
regulation performance. This involves millions of £’s. Transformer examples;
(i) All the 66.6MVA’s on our system.
(ii) A unique one of its kind in the world, our 76MVA at City Road.
(iii) The Stansted Airport 40MVA units.
(iv) Lombard Road 25MVA units also unique in the world (Frank Eberle, Outage Planning
Manager at LPN control said “I wish all transformers can operate like these where 4
of them can be run in parallel to optimise flexibility on the system regarding Var
Support for NGT, Fault Level Reduction, Generation allowed instead of turning down
customers” and a lot more that he said).
(v) Barnes 30MVA units.
(vi) The newer Bankside 20kV 90MVA units.
(vii) The newer 33.3MVA units.

3. (b) Current Transformer Design for optimum performance.
(c) Earth fault Level Design of Earthing Resistors and Reactors and tertiaries in transformers. All
the items in (i) have these designs included in the overall transformer/earthing combination.
(d) Lecturing: SAP and departmental sections. This involves Electrical principles general
enquires, fault design/levels, transients, earthing and other questions on power systems.
(e) Incident investigation: Technical aspects of faults involved from Managers, Directors, HSE
and consultants. Examples are:
(i) Holborn Fire.
(ii) Saffron Walden Incident (fatality).
(iii) Sydenham T4A Fire.
(iv) Charing Cross 1-5 Fatality.
(v) Duke Street Hanover Incident.
(f) Advice to LPN control as to the running of the network regarding fault level and
discrimination of the network usually on an emergency basis or complex running
arrangements to maintain supply on the network.
(g) Olympics 2012: Full network recalculation of fault level and grading including that of NGT
infeeds. Managed and supervised senior consultant for the whole project.
(h) Point of reference: Fault levels, fuses, voltage hold-up on HV/LV network, backed problems,
reverse power relays, operation incidents, investigations, design requirements of
transformers, cables, screens, Earthing and general electrical questions.
(i) Network News LPN: Investigations, power loss, faults, unexplained incidents.
(j) Audit of the main airports in terms of security and fault on their electrical network:
Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, London City, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
I have copious amount of examples and evidence to substantiate the above which will not make
comfortable reading here. So I am happy to produce it in the right place where a fuller
understanding can be provided, if required.
Yours Sincerely,
Joe Da Costa