I chose a career in the power industry because over time I became increasingly passionate about power systems, the aspects of power system planning and analysis, electricity networks and the energy industry as a whole. As a Power Systems Engineer, I know that I play a significant role in supporting Australia meet its energy needs for its growing economy as well as ensuring communities continue to access electricity that is delivered at the most efficient, affordable, reliable and safe manner. In the context of today's theme, we as "Power Systems Engineers" all play a great role in this "once in a generation" energy transition to net-zero and it's a privilege to be part of it all.
Who am I
I am a professional engineer, a husband and a father. I was born in the Philippines and my family migrated from the Philippines to Australia in the early 1990s. As a Power System / Planning Engineer, I love my work and I'm passionate about it, so I dedicate a lot of my energy towards work.
My family and my Christian faith are important to me. Outside work, it's all about husband and father duties and quality time with my family. I do volunteer work at our local church by taking part of its council and safe church ministries. In terms of musical instruments, playing the drums would be my musical talent. Occasionally, I play drums as part of the worship team during church services.
Exercise and keeping fit are also important to me. I love playing basketball for sports.
Why I chose a career in power
As a Power Systems / Planning Engineer, it's a privilege to take part in this "once in a generation" energy transition as Australia aims to decarbonise the grid towards a net-zero economy. Whether we are working for AEMO, TNSPs, DNSPs, Developers, OEMs etc, we are all contributing our individual bits for the energy transition. It's special to be part of this journey and to be playing a role that supports the communities and Australia in its economic growth.
The network or the grid needs to continually evolve and expand to cater for long term needs and future network scenarios that are able to host electrification (load growth) and renewable energy penetrations. As a Power Systems Engineer, you get to work on exciting projects like network expansion projects, new substations, connection of new generators, connection of new loads like data centres and renewable energy zones etc. These are all very rewarding as you get to see and witness your work or projects you've been a part of develop into the actual physical product or asset, something that you can see and touch physically. So, for the generations to come, you'd have the opportunity to tell of the great stories, challenges and achievements you've made over your engineering career.
All those infrastructure investments and projects which you get to be part of, they all contribute towards one or two common great cause, to support Australia meet the energy needs for its growing economy and to provide service to the community and the end consumers by being part of the ecosystem that enables electricity to be accessible by all and at the most efficient, economic, safe and reliable manner. What a way to achieve all of these by applying the engineering concepts you’ve enjoyed and learnt from the university or higher education!
Where it all started
I studied Electrical Engineering for my undergraduate degree. I always enjoyed the core fundamental subjects like electrical engineering, circuit theory and analysis, power electronics etc. A few years later, I completed my master's degree in engineering management, where I learnt and became fascinated about energy economics.
For my undergraduate degree, I was fortunate that the University I attended had connections / partnerships with businesses that participated in the electricity industry. The University allowed me to submit an application as part of the university's career development program and I was to able to participate in a 3-month work experience with a private consulting firm that managed electrical distribution design projects and provided engineering consulting services to customers, developers and electrical contractors in relation to contestable network connections projects involving new grid connections, alterations and expansions on the electrical distribution network. This enabled my initial exposure to the electrical distribution network. Before my work experience finished, I was offered an employment contract. I took it and I commenced my first industry employment upon completing my degree.
I never looked back since then, and my fascination and passion towards the grid and the electrical network increased and evolved over time. I’ve been fortunate to move around the industry taking on various technical roles with DNSPs like Endeavour Energy and Ausgrid. To this day, my passion towards networks, power systems and the energy industry has not faded but only increased. Like every engineer, we’re all constantly aiming to learn more and evolve to become better engineers for our teams, the organisations that we work for and for the industry as a whole as the industry continues to evolve and as we continue to help face the ongoing challenges and make positive contributions for the energy transition.
My work experience.
What's next?
I work for Ausgrid as an Asset Investment Planner in Transmission Planning. In the industry context in general, I carry out the duties of a Power Systems / Planning Engineer. I’m involved in planning the development and extension of Ausgrid’s 33kV, 66kV and 132kV subtransmission and transmission network that is coupled with Transgrid’s 330/550kV network.
We plan for long term area plan strategies and investments that include new transmission lines, subtransmission substations, zone substations, the integration of Renewable Energy Zones and related infrastructure, new infrastructure for new customer connections like data centres and new power generation projects.
On a day-to-day basis, I carry out power systems analysis and network modelling using PSSE and PSCAD (for load flow, capacity and voltage constraints, fault level, system strength assessments). I also carry out Generator Performance / Due Diligence studies using PSSE and PSCAD in accordance with the National Electricity Rules for new generation connections including Inverter-Based Resources (Solar, Battery Energy Storage Systems).
I also manage contracts of external contractors for Generator Performance Studies and PSCAD Wide Area Network studies / Full Impact Assessments for the assessment of control systems coordination, interaction between nearby asynchronous generators and dynamic plants.