"A diverse workforce in the power industry means new perspectives, insights, and skills, all of which are valuable to the changing electric future."
Who am I
I am a fifth-year student currently studying a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering/Master of Engineering at the University of Queensland. In my second year, I had the opportunity to work in Energy Queensland as part of the Australian Power Institute bursary program, which gave me an insight into the distribution sector. My work in the group strategy team consisted of maintaining a data repository for electric vehicles as well as analysing consumer values towards solar PV.
Why I chose a career in power
Decarbonising the grid is not just a technical challenge, it is a social one. You do not need to be an engineer to make a difference, you must be able to engage with customers and inspire people who may not be familiar with the power industry. After all, choosing to work in the power industry is very rewarding, and the actions you take every day feels part of a greater effort to tackle climate change.
Where it all started
I chose electrical engineering because I wanted to be involved in the decarbonisation of the grid. My only problem was not knowing what sector I wanted to work in! The power industry is so broad and even now I am open to all possibilities like telecommunications, battery storage, electric-vehicles, or secondary systems.
The reason I chose an integrated Masters program was so I can have specialised technical knowledge in an area. I knew that undertaking a work-integrated placement alongside a thesis would be valuable for my learning before I enter the workforce, and it has helped me develop research skills and both verbal and written communication.
My work experience.
What's next?
I am excited about the higher percentage of renewable generation being connected to the grid. It is challenging to maintain system stability since renewables do not provide a constant source of energy to the grid, which can lead to system strength issues in the network. However, Australia has such a rich blend of natural resources such as solar, wind, and hydropower that we need to take advantage of if we want to tackle decarbonisation. At the end of the day, I love being part of a large team tackling the same complex problem.