Network Management

Civil engineers specialising in network management deal with the planning, construction and operation of grid-bound infrastructures. Modern cities and regions can be compared to a large organism - beneath the surface is a multi-layered network of "lifelines" for the supply of water, electricity, gas and district heating as well as for the disposal of wastewater and rainwater. These networks are often hidden from view, yet their reliable operation is of the utmost importance for our community. The structural condition of the grids, but also the liberalisation of the energy market, the energy transition and climate change mean that the framework conditions for grid operators in Germany are changing. Sectors such as electricity, water and gas, which were previously often only considered individually, must now be treated holistically. Engineers in grid management have this expertise for several sectors and can combine factual knowledge from different faculties. They are responsible for the planning, development, construction and operation of electricity, water and gas networks as well as drainage systems and take on management and technical competences. Their tasks include the design and operational maintenance of the networks. This includes specific planning tasks such as line dimensioning, route planning and structural realisation.

Better energy balance and renewable energies
Civil engineers are specialists in the energy planning and refurbishment of residential, office and factory buildings. However, it is not only energy saving that is becoming increasingly important, but also energy generation through the development of wind farms, geothermal plants and biomass power stations.

The career prospects with a specialisation in network management are very diverse. All occupational fields of civil engineering are available to you:

• Engineering offices (consulting offices, planning, project management, quality assurance)
• Construction companies (civil and structural engineering, plant construction, pipeline construction)
• Public service (federal government, local authorities, state offices, state institutes)
• Associations and public bodies (municipal utilities, water boards, energy supply companies)
• International organisations (GTZ, DED)