Meet Our People - Yuki Nakai

Where it all began and a turning point as an Engineer

My journey as an engineer began during my university years, where I majored in electrical engineering and actively participated in academic conferences, driven by a deep curiosity for my field. In 2013, I joined Hitachi, Ltd. and was assigned to the Ibaraki site of the Research & Development Group. There, surrounded by advanced facilities including high-voltage generation equipment, I immersed myself in the research and development of gas-insulated switchgear (GIS).

Those days—fully devoted to technology, learning through hands-on work—remain the foundation of who I am as an engineer today.

A major turning point occurred in 2020 with the establishment of Hitachi ABB Power Grids, now Hitachi Energy. This organizational transformation accelerated the globalization of Hitachi’s power grids business. Personally, it opened the door to daily collaboration with engineers around the globe.

Working with colleagues overseas has been a constant source of inspiration. Knowledge gained from different markets and field experiences is shared openly and generously. Sometimes, insights into systems that are not yet common in Japan offer immediate hints or fresh perspectives. Even within the same technical discipline, these exchanges often spark new ideas and moments of realization. Each experience has broadened my outlook and significantly expanded my horizons as an engineer.
 

Retrofit: Shaping the future of sustainable infrastructure

Today, I am working at the Kokubu Office in Hitachi City in Japan, working as a Product Engineer in the Service Business Unit. My role focuses on the research and development of retrofit technologies, which are solutions that support the maintenance and improvement of existing equipment.

Instead of replacing entire systems, retrofit solutions upgrade necessary components using the latest technologies. This approach optimizes performance, cost efficiency, service life, and eco-friendliness.

While Hitachi Energy’s latest products and services are essential for shaping a sustainable energy future, making the most of existing assets is equally important. I strongly believe that retrofit in itself is a highly sustainable approach. It helps reduce CO₂ emissions, resource consumption, and waste associated with manufacturing, while also offering clear advantages in investment efficiency and lead times. These efforts play a vital role in supporting sustainable power infrastructure.

One aspect I take great pride in is the deep-rooted culture of digitalization at Hitachi Energy. With Hitachi’s long history in power grids business, we as engineers still use 2D CAD and, in some cases, paper drawings. By converting these assets into 3D data, we can design retrofit solutions far more smoothly and accurately.

This digital transformation improves not only design precision, but also visibility and communication. As a result, it brings tangible benefits to customers and sales teams alike. I truly believe that adopting digital technologies is empowering the organization as a whole.

Looking ahead under “True One Hitachi”

As I continue collaborating with colleagues worldwide at Hitachi Energy, I hope to grow while contributing to sustainability. Together with teams across the Hitachi Group and Hitachi Energy Japan, I envision myself as an engineer who provides safety, reliability, peace of mind, and smiles to our customers.

With that vision in mind, I will continue to face each day of research and development with dedication, always looking toward the future.