Inside Industry #2 Webinar Recap: The Energy Transition in Real Life
What does Australia’s energy transition actually look like for the people working on it every day, and where do students and future engineers fit?
That was the focus of our latest PowerUP Inside Industry webinar, where students heard from Cosette Francis from Western Power, Lachlan Culshaw from Aurecon and Louis Fernandes from Endeavour Energy. The discussion moved beyond the headlines around renewables to explore what the transition really means for electricity networks, engineering careers and the skills students can start developing now.
One of the clearest messages from the session was that the energy transition is about much more than replacing traditional generation with wind and solar. It is changing the way electricity is generated, transported, managed and consumed. Rooftop solar, batteries, electric vehicles, electrification and emerging loads such as data centres are creating a far more dynamic power system and, in some cases, changing the way networks have operated for decades.
For engineers, that means solving increasingly complex problems. Networks must accommodate new generation and changing demand while continuing to provide electricity safely, reliably and affordably. The panel also highlighted the growing importance of planning for uncertainty. Engineers are making decisions today about networks that will need to serve customers many years into the future, even though nobody can know exactly how quickly technologies such as EVs, batteries or industrial electrification will develop.
For students considering a career in the sector, however, that uncertainty also represents opportunity.
“You probably fit in the unknown.” Lachlan Culshaw, Aurecon
Lachlan’s point was that many of the problems the next generation will work on may not even exist yet. The challenges facing the industry have changed considerably over the past five years and will continue to evolve as technology, customer behaviour and the broader energy system change.
That also means there is no single pathway into the power sector. While electrical and power systems engineers remain critical, the panel highlighted opportunities across data and digital technologies, software, cybersecurity, civil and mechanical engineering, automation, economics, forecasting and stakeholder engagement. Modern energy challenges are increasingly multidisciplinary, requiring people who can understand how technical, commercial and social considerations interact.
This was reinforced during the student Q&A. A question about opportunities for mechanical engineers led to discussion about roles in areas including synchronous generation and pumped hydro, while another student asked how economics and data fit into power careers. The response showed just how interconnected these disciplines are becoming, particularly when organisations are analysing large volumes of network and customer data, forecasting future demand and making investment decisions.
For students who may not see themselves as traditional “power engineers”, the message was encouraging. There are many different ways to contribute to Australia’s changing energy system.
You can add value earlier than you think
Another standout message was that students do not need to wait until they have years of industry experience before they can contribute.
“You don’t need experience to bring value.” Louis Fernandes, Endeavour Energy
Louis reflected that some of the best ideas he has seen have come from graduates and even summer interns, partly because early career professionals bring fresh perspectives, new technologies and different approaches to existing problems. His advice was to start connecting what you are learning at university with real-world challenges. Internships, university projects, vacation placements and even your thesis can all become opportunities to understand how energy systems operate beyond the classroom.
That real-world perspective can also help students stand out when applying for opportunities. Lachlan encouraged students to understand the problems organisations are actually trying to solve rather than approaching engineering purely through theory.
“Don’t look at things through the lens of a laptop or a textbook.” Lachlan Culshaw, Aurecon
Being able to explain why a project is needed, who it affects and what broader challenges an organisation is facing can demonstrate a level of industry awareness that employers notice.
Curiosity, communication and judgement matter
When asked what students should start developing now, all three speakers returned to the importance of curiosity. Understanding the technical problem is important, but so is asking why something is being done, what the commercial implications are, how regulations influence a decision and what impact a project might have on customers or communities.
Cosette encouraged students to think beyond individual engineering tasks and develop an understanding of how the whole energy system fits together. A change in one part of the system can have technical, commercial, regulatory and social implications elsewhere.
“Be always curious, ask questions. What if? Why is this done this way?” Cosette Francis, Western Power
Communication was another recurring theme. Engineers increasingly work across multidisciplinary teams and with stakeholders who may not have a technical background. Being able to explain your thinking clearly, ask good questions and communicate your own perspective can be just as valuable as technical knowledge.
The discussion also touched on AI, data and automation. Students were encouraged to become comfortable using data, analytical tools and automation to support their work, whether through tools such as Python or other platforms. At the same time, the speakers cautioned against relying on technology without understanding the result. Real-world engineering often involves incomplete information, uncertainty and competing priorities, which means professional judgement remains essential.
“The best engineers don’t just analyse it, they apply judgement.” Louis Fernandes, Endeavour Energy
For students entering the workforce during a period of rapid technological change, that balance will be increasingly important. Use the tools available to you, but understand the problem, question assumptions and make sure you can explain the reasoning behind your decisions.
A sector with plenty of problems to solve
Perhaps the strongest takeaway from the webinar was the sheer scale of opportunity ahead. Every new renewable project, battery, community, industrial development or major electricity user connecting to the grid creates new questions for the people planning, designing, operating and regulating the power system. At the same time, Australia needs people who can work across technology, data, economics, infrastructure and communities to help make the transition successful.
As Louis put it: “None of this can happen without engineers.” Louis Fernandes, Endeavour Energy
For students, the message is not that you need to know exactly where your career will take you. Instead, stay curious, look for opportunities to understand the sector and be open to where your skills might fit.
Missed the webinar or want to recap?
The full Inside Industry #2: The Energy Transition in Real Life recording is available for free for the PowerUP community through The API’s online course portal.
Watch the recording:
The session includes plenty more discussion on grid reliability, virtual power plants, automation and AI, battery economics, career pathways and questions directly from PowerUP students.
Join us for the next Inside Industry webinar
Our next PowerUP Inside Industry webinar is happening Thursday 19 November 2026, giving students another opportunity to hear directly from people working across Australia’s power sector, learn about different career pathways and ask their own questions.
Register for the November Inside Industry #3 webinar:
Inside Industry is designed to help PowerUP students see beyond job titles and course descriptions and understand what careers in the power sector actually look like, the challenges professionals are solving and where the opportunities might be for you.
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