‘Dispatcher for a Day’ Returns Strong in 2026: AIEE Expands the Project Nationally

The Association of Energy and Electrical Engineers (AIEE) launched the third edition of the ‘Dispatcher for a Day’ event series on March 30, at the Grand Hotel Bucharest. The opening ceremony took place in the presence of partner company representatives, academia, and the AIEE team.

The initiative is dedicated to young people passionate about energy and electrical fields and aims to offer them unique practical experience at the heart of the national energy system. The project, integrated into the ‘Career in the Energy Industry’ program, is expanding in 2026 to include the university center in Timisoara, joining the two centers where it already took place last year, Bucharest and Cluj.

During the event’s opening, Mircea Bitoiu, President of AIEE, stated: “The ‘Dispatcher for a Day’ project has evolved rapidly and reached maturity. We started from the companies’ need to create alternative training methods for youth in the energy field and from the students’ own desire to explore. It is an educational event specifically designed for students and young professionals, offering them the chance to experience, for one day, the role of a dispatcher within the energy system.”

Virgiliu Ivan, Director of the National Energy Dispatcher (DEN), guest of honor and active supporter of AIEE initiatives, stated: “There is a lot of talk about the energy sector—how much it is appreciated or criticized—through the stances taken by various actors. Beyond all that, we must look at the beautiful side of this sector.

In every meeting or conference, I am invited to, I speak about the people in the energy sector. We need to attract young talent into the entities we represent—to have them come work with us and, in time, take our place. No matter how much money we have or how many investments we wish to make, without people, we can achieve nothing. What AIEE is doing through these initiatives is commendable—they are building the essential bridges we need between students, young engineers, and experienced specialists.”

The message shared with the youth by Virgiliu Ivan was moving: “As dispatchers, you will truly feel the pulse of the energy system. Have confidence and ask questions. Please know that those of us already in the system are eager to teach you as much as possible.”

Assoc. Prof. Attila Simó, PhD, Eng., Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Electrical and Power Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Timisoara, emphasized: “‘Dispatcher for a Day’ is a highly valuable initiative for students, the future specialists in the energy field. It is an extraordinary opportunity for you to see the operation of the National Power System (NPS) from the inside, beyond the theory. It is, without a doubt, the most complex system ever conceived and built by people.”

Iulian Tudor, Head of the Energy Management Department at Hidroelectrica, noted: “I look forward to welcoming you to the Hidroelectrica dispatch center to see how dispatchers make decisions. We support the association’s projects and stand by the students. We wish you great success!”

Ovidiu Godeanu, Retele Electrice Romania (Banat Region), mentioned: “The most important actors are the people. You have the opportunity, at a very young age and in the digital era, to enter this profession. I believe the profession chooses you. My wish is for ‘Dispatcher for a Day’ to transform into ‘Dispatcher for a Lifetime’.”

Corneliu Aristotel Alexandru, Head of the High Voltage Dispatch Center in Ploiesti (DEER), specified: “We need young people at DEER. I can tell you that we have removed the experience requirement from our job competitions specifically to attract youth to our company. We have dispatch centers in every county seat where we operate.”

“I propose extending such projects to the ‘School Differently’ program as well, to engage students and help them choose their careers. We need people with a fresh vision.”

Alexandru Visoiu, Head of the DLC Dispatch Center at Enevo, explained: “You don’t see us, but we are the ones who empower the system 24/7. Dispatchers are always on duty and must possess comprehensive knowledge of the energy system.”

Valentin Porumb, Electricity Operations Manager at Nova Power and Gas, stated: “I am delighted to see that more and more young people are becoming interested in the profession of a dispatcher. I invite you to be curious and to be bold!”

Adrian Tudora, Deputy General Manager of ELCEN, mentioned: “I began my own career as a dispatcher. I hope you will also visit ELCEN, where we operate two types of dispatch centers: plant operations and the electricity market, alongside the thermal energy and gas supply sector. We currently have three major investment projects underway, building three high-efficiency cogeneration plants. Come and get involved! It is a new level of technology, very appealing to young people. Everything will be automated, featuring a new generation of power equipment.”

Simona Munteanu, Director of Courses and Professional Training at AIEE, emphasized: “Without practice, the knowledge you gain remains just theory. We at AIEE are not merely course providers; we are engineers who truly understand the complexity of these subjects. Good luck and make the most of these opportunities!”

Finally, Diana Iacob, Director of the ‘Career in the Energy and Electrical Industry’ Program and Project Manager for ‘Dispatcher for a Day,’ shared her own experience: “On my first day, I arrived at the PPC dispatch center at 7:00 AM, before my shift started, and I stayed until 7:00 PM without eating a thing. I asked so many questions; I was so curious. I’ve visited the National Energy Dispatcher (DEN) twice now, and each time I felt a deep sense of emotion. I urge you to ‘take photos with your eyes’ – let everything you see be etched into your memory.”

The ‘Dispatcher for a Day’ project will officially begin on April 16, 2026, with 15 students participating. They will have the opportunity to go behind the scenes of the energy system’s operational management and discover the vital role dispatchers play in maintaining grid stability.

Participants will benefit from a certificate of participation, direct experience within dispatch centers, networking opportunities, and potential recruitment prospects.

AIEE extends its gratitude to the partners supporting this project: Transelectrica, Retele Electrice, Distributie Energie Electrica Romania (DEER), Enevo Group, Nova Power & Gas, and Hidroelectrica.

The Association of Energy and Electrical Engineers (AIEE) is a professional, non-governmental, non-profit, and apolitical organization founded in 2022. Its mission is to actively contribute to the development and modernization of the national energy system through the involvement of engineers in the field. AIEE promotes the principles of sustainable development and provides an appropriate framework for the professional and social expression of its members – employees, volunteers, students, and collaborators.

With energy toward the future!