OPG’s Zach Wood-Seems helping to advance clean energy in northwestern Ontario

Originally from Fredericton, N.B., Wood-Seems worked a couple of summers for NB Power, New Brunswick’s main power utility, before moving to Kingston, Ont., to pursue a mechanical engineering degree at Queen’s University.

After graduating in 2016, he applied for OPG’s engineering training program in Thunder Bay, a decision some friends questioned given the major distance involved.

“It’s funny. I was living in Kingston and didn’t have a good idea of where Thunder Bay was until I applied for the job,” he said. “I took a chance and since moving here it’s been great. Living here fits my lifestyle because I do a lot of outdoor activities like climbing and skiing, and it has also been a really good learning opportunity professionally.”

Over the two-year training program, Wood-Seems visited OPG’s hydro facilities across the province to learn about their intricacies. Now, as an Assistant Plant Officer, he provides support for 11 hydro stations in northwestern Ontario, from Terrace Bay to the Manitoba border.

There are two sides to his current role. One is the projects side, which sees him provide designs for new components or specifications for contractors to complete engineering and field work at OPG’s sites. Outside of projects, Wood-Seems helps ensure all 11 stations under his purview continue to run reliably. This includes figuring out how to efficiently operate the units from a mechanical standpoint, and finding the right components to replace failed equipment.

Outside of his daily duties, Wood-Seems has been focused on advancing innovation across OPG’s Renewable Generation division. Using a 360-degree camera, he has completed virtual tours of several stations in the northwest. These tours are helping employees and contractors visit sites remotely and plan their work more efficiently. In addition to boosting efficiency, the virtual tours have allowed workers to access sites remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I definitely want to continue to better both myself and the different projects we work on at OPG,” he said. “I’m always striving to challenge the status quo by improving processes and making things more efficient.”

It is this approach that recently earned him a Power of You award, OPG’s annual recognition of its best and brightest employees.

Outside of work, Wood-Seems is a self-professed adrenaline junkie. In the winter he loves to downhill ski, and in the summer you can catch him mountain biking, road biking, or rock climbing. He also coaches the freestyle skiing team in Thunder Bay, engaging in trampoline sessions during the fall and snow training throughout the winter.

“I just love the outdoors, and it’s definitely what keeps me sane during tough times like what we’ve faced over the past few months,” he said.

Employee spotlight: Zach Wood-Seems

Position: Assistant Plant Officer
Work location: Thunder Bay
Years of service: Four
Favourite place to visit in Ontario: Orient Bay – “It’s one of my favourite places to climb.”
Favourite hobbies: Biking, skiing, climbing
Favourite book: “Let My People Go Surfing” by Yvon Chouinard