Reflections from the IDC High Voltage Conference 2026

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the IDC High Voltage Conference in Brisbane, where asset owners, manufacturers, engineers and technical specialists came together to discuss the future of Australia's high-voltage infrastructure. While there was plenty of discussion around the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition, what struck me most was how often the conversation returned to a much simpler question: how do we get the most value, reliability and performance from the assets we already have?

As the industry continues to invest in new transmission infrastructure and integrate renewable generation at scale, it is easy to focus on what needs to be built next. However, throughout the conference there was a clear recognition that the future of Australia's energy system will depend just as much on how well we manage, monitor and maintain the critical assets already in service.

One of the highlights for me was a presentation by Carl Johnstone from i4AM in the United Kingdom, who challenged the traditional view of maintenance and encouraged attendees to think more strategically about asset management. His message was that organisations can no longer afford to simply respond to failures when they occur. Instead, the future lies in understanding asset condition through testing, monitoring and analysis, allowing better decisions about where to invest, what risks to address and how to maximise the life of important infrastructure. It was a powerful reminder that good asset management is not just an engineering activity; it is fundamentally a business decision that influences reliability, risk and long-term value.

Hayley and Emily at High Voltage conference 2026

That theme continued in a presentation from Michael Stack, Technical Lead at Tyree Transformers and one of API's valued industry members. Michael provided a practical perspective on the realities of transformer manufacturing and the challenge of translating technical specifications into equipment that meets the unique requirements of network businesses. His presentation highlighted the importance of collaboration between manufacturers and asset owners and reinforced just how critical testing, quality assurance and technical expertise are to maintaining a reliable electricity network.

One of the more unexpected highlights of the conference came from Antony Giacomin, General Manager of TJH2b Analytical Services. What started as a discussion about asset diagnostics quickly turned into a fascinating chemistry lesson.

Across the conference, the message was consistent. The industry is moving from reactive maintenance towards proactive, risk-based decision making. Asset testing and condition monitoring are becoming increasingly important tools for extending asset life, improving reliability and supporting more informed investment decisions. Equally important is continued collaboration across the sector, bringing together manufacturers, network businesses, service providers and technical specialists to solve increasingly complex challenges.

The conference was also personally significant for me, as I had the privilege of presenting and became the first female speaker in the conference's 13-year history. While I was proud of this milestone, it also highlighted the progress still to be made in ensuring diverse voices are represented in technical forums and industry discussions. Through my presentation, I had the opportunity to share the Australian Power Institute's work in developing the future workforce and supporting students, emerging professionals and future leaders entering the power engineering sector. It was rewarding to contribute to a conversation that recognised that the future of our industry is not just about infrastructure and technology, but also about people.

I left South Bank in Brisbane with a renewed appreciation for the role that asset testing, condition monitoring and lifecycle management will play in supporting Australia's energy future. Perhaps more importantly, I was reminded that while assets are critical, it is ultimately the people behind them who will determine the success of the energy transition. Developing the next generation of engineers, technical specialists and industry leaders remains just as important as the infrastructure itself, and conferences like IDC demonstrate the value of bringing those conversations together.