A Summer Job at Ilmatar Offers a Front-Row Seat to the Future of Energy

During the summer, participants gain experience in renewable energy, the business side of the industry, and collaboration with experts from various fields. We asked three summer employees from Trading and one from TCM (Technical Commercial Management) about their experiences, what they have learned, and what has made this summer memorable.

Lauri Kontinen, Trading

Morning or evening shift – which suits you better?

Definitely the morning shift, as I’m very much a morning person. It’s also great to have time after work for sports, hobbies, and simply enjoying the summer.

What does a typical day in the trading team look like?

My work consists of trading shifts and so-called development days.

During trading shifts, I conduct day-ahead trading for Ilmatar-operated power plants in the Nord Pool electricity market and reserve markets. These shifts form the operational side of my role, so the daily routine is often quite similar.

During development days, I work on various improvement projects. These days involve developing both new and existing tools and participating in meetings. The projects aim to improve the trading team’s operations, and it’s rewarding to see the impact of new tools and systems firsthand in both my own work and the team’s performance.

I think the balance between operational trading and development work is excellent. This combination deepens my understanding of electricity markets and motivates me to help develop Ilmatar’s trading activities.

What has surprised you most about working in the trading team?

This may not have been a huge surprise, but I’ve really enjoyed working here. The tasks and the industry are fascinating, and my colleagues are all exceptionally smart and friendly.

What is one thing people usually don’t know about energy trading?

When I tell people about my work, I’m often asked for advice on electricity contracts. There seems to be a common misconception that energy traders also trade directly with consumer customers. On the other hand, this work naturally gives you a very strong understanding of electricity markets, so I can usually offer useful insights on consumer electricity contracts as well.

What has been your most memorable moment this summer?

Without a doubt, visiting the Humppila-Urjala wind farm. As the photo shows, standing at the top of a turbine felt absolutely amazing.

Ville Sippola, Trading

Morning or evening shift – which suits you better?

Both have their advantages, but I prefer the morning shift. I’m more alert in the mornings, and seeing colleagues during the shift makes work more enjoyable.

What does a typical day in the trading team look like?

As an intraday trader, my shift starts with getting an overview of the current situation. We review production forecasts and market conditions. Throughout the day, we react to changing circumstances and execute trades in the intraday market as needed.

What has surprised you most about working in the trading team?

Since this is my second summer here, what surprised me most was how quickly I got back into it. After the winter break, everything came back naturally, and I was able to pick up where I left off.

What is one thing people usually don’t know about energy trading?

Probably how complex the electricity market really is.

What has been your most memorable moment this summer?

Those moments when my understanding of the market proves accurate and I manage to make successful trades. It always feels incredibly rewarding.

Sakari Vesa, TCM (Technical Commercial Management)

What kind of shifts do you have in the TCM team?

My regular working hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. In addition, the team rotates a one-week on-call duty schedule, during which the wind farms are monitored during weekday evenings and weekends. While on call, we are available by phone around the clock.

What does a typical day in the TCM team look like?

A typical day starts by reviewing the status of the wind farms I’m responsible for and checking maintenance reservations. We communicate with various stakeholders by email about upcoming maintenance activities and other wind farm matters, and we keep the trading team informed when necessary.

Events at the turbines, such as maintenance-related shutdowns, are recorded on an online platform where associated losses are allocated and documented. The day usually includes at least one meeting.

At the beginning of each month, much of my time goes into preparing monthly reports. We also occasionally visit wind farms to take care of smaller on-site tasks, which provides a welcome break from office work.

In addition, I’m involved in a data analytics project where I’m building my own database. Another highlight of the day is having lunch together with the Tampere team.

What has surprised you most about working in the TCM team?

How complex a wind turbine really is and how much maintenance it requires.

What is one thing people usually don’t know about TCM?

I often have to explain from scratch what I do for a living, as very few people know what TCM, or Technical Commercial Management, actually means. If I need a short explanation, I usually say that I “work with Excel spreadsheets.”

What has been your most memorable moment this summer?

The most memorable moment was spotting a wild forest reindeer trotting in front of our car during a wind farm visit.

Aino-Maija Lampela, Trading

Morning or evening shift – which suits you better?

The evening shift. I’ve always been a night owl, so evening and night shifts fit my natural rhythm better than mornings.

What does a typical day in the trading team look like?

I work in the control room, so every shift begins with a comprehensive situation review. Throughout the day, I actively monitor the market and trade according to market conditions. While the nature of the work remains the same, the market is never exactly alike from one day to the next, so every day is different.

What has surprised you most about working in the trading team?

How broad and multifaceted the electricity market really is. This role has shown me firsthand how many different factors influence the market and how interconnected they all are.

What is one thing people usually don’t know about energy trading?

Many people are unaware of how closely the balance of the electricity system is monitored at all times. Market participants continuously react to changes to ensure that production and consumption remain in balance.

What has been your most memorable moment this summer?

The most memorable moment was visiting a wind turbine. We had the opportunity to climb all the way to the top, and the views from above were truly spectacular.