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Tomás Rodríguez Morales celebrates 25 years of membership in CETIT and shares a career marked by passion, constant learning and technological evolution in the sector. We review it in this interview.
He began his professional life in 1985 at the Vandellòs II Nuclear Power Plant. What were the main responsibilities and learnings from that stage? My professional career began while I was still combining training with work. In that initial stage, at Vandellòs II, I started as an analyzer operator, a position that allowed me to have my first direct contact with the industrial world and understand the real functioning of a large energy installation. It was a very important learning stage, both on a technical and personal level, because it helped me confi rmate my vocation for engineering and the need to continue training constantly.
He has worked at BASELL POLIOLEFINAS since 1988. How has his role within the company evolved over the years? I have been working for the same company for over 38 years, although it has changed its name several times over the years. I started as a laboratory analyst, I took full advantage of my professional training, and gradually assumed new responsibilities: development of new equipment, plant engineering, processes and later maintenance, especially in the electrical and instrumentation fields. This evolution has been possible thanks to continuous training, motivation and the ability to adapt to the changes demanded by the company and the sector.
He is currently responsible for the Energy department. What are the main functions and what challenges does this management entail? Since 2018 I have been responsible for the Energy department, an area that at that time did not yet have the relevance it has today. The main functions focus on energy management, efficiency, monitoring the electricity market and adapting to an increasingly complex and changing environment. One of the great challenges has been precisely this accelerated transformation of the sector, which requires constant learning and a great capacity for adaptation.
Can you explain the importance of the 5 MWp on-site photovoltaic plant and its management? The installation of the 5 MWp on-site photovoltaic plant has been a key project within the company's sustainability strategy. It is the only plant of this type within the chemical estate and allows us to generate approximately 10% of the plant's energy consumption, equivalent to the annual consumption of a population of around 3,000 inhabitants. The project was developed through a PPA agreement, which allows us to combine external investment with stability in energy costs. This plant has no negative environmental impact and allows us to move towards a more sustainable model aligned with sustainable development objectives.
What have these 25 years of membership in CETIT meant to you? Membership has always been a professional point of reference. CETIT is an essential body that offers a space for meeting, training, consultation and support for engineers. Although I am not a freelancer, the College has allowed me to maintain contact with the profession, update my knowledge and be part of a technical community with shared values. Ultimately, the College is a tool at the service of both professionals and society.
How do you assess the evolution of the profession and the role of the College during this time? The profession has evolved a lot, both technically and socially. Today, greater versatility, learning capacity and adaptation to change are required. The College has been able to evolve in parallel, adapting to the new needs of society and professionals, expanding services and strengthening its role as a reference institution.
What advice would you give to young engineers starting their careers? I would tell them, first of all, to join an association, because the Association is a point of support and professional connection. Also, not to close doors, to maintain an open attitude and continuous training. For me, the most important thing is to put passion into the work: an engineer is not born, he is made, and is built with motivation, effort and a desire to learn. The opportunities are there, but you have to know how to take advantage of them.
Do you have any special memories or moments linked to CETIT? One of the moments I value most is participating in the annual College Day, a gathering that allows you to reunite with colleagues, share experiences and reinforce the feeling of belonging. These spaces for professional and human relationships are one of the great strengths of CETIT.