Students Experience the Energy Transition in Action at the NSW EESA Conference
In only her second week with the API, Jess Cornock joined me in Sydney for the NSW EESA Conference, where we were accompanied by nine university students from across New South Wales.
The conference brought together industry professionals, researchers and future engineers to discuss the progress, challenges and opportunities associated with the NSW energy transition. What stood out most was the feeling that the transition is no longer something we are planning for, it is happening right now. Across conversations on Renewable Energy Zones, transmission investment, network transformation and new technologies, there was a clear sense that the industry is actively building the future energy system, not simply talking about it.
One of the most rewarding parts of the day was seeing the students engage with professionals from across the sector. The students took on the role of microphone runners during the technical sessions, which might sound like a small job, but it gave them the opportunity to interact with speakers, industry leaders and conference attendees throughout the day. It was a great icebreaker and helped create connections that may not have happened otherwise.
A few themes stood out for me throughout the conference.
Firstly, the energy transition is becoming increasingly complex. It's no longer just about connecting renewable generation. Conversations focused on how we manage system security, network capacity, power quality, reliability and customer expectations as the energy system continues to evolve.
Secondly, innovation is happening at every level of the system. From batteries and distributed energy resources through to advanced analytics and digital technologies, there is a huge amount of work underway to help create a more flexible, efficient and resilient energy network.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the workforce remains critical to success. Technology alone won't deliver the transition. We need skilled, capable and diverse people to design, build, operate and maintain the future energy system.
This was a theme I touched on during my presentation. While workforce shortages remain a challenge, I believe it's equally important to recognise how far we have come. The diversity statistics don't yet tell the whole story, but significant progress has been made through more inclusive workplace policies, greater flexibility, stronger support networks and changing attitudes across the sector.
Many of the barriers that once discouraged people from entering or staying in our industry are gradually being removed. The challenge is that if we don't talk about these positive changes, prospective employees and students may never know they exist. Promoting the progress we have made is an important part of continuing to change perceptions and attract the next generation of talent.
For our students, the conference provided far more than technical knowledge. It offered a firsthand look at an industry that is evolving rapidly, embracing new technologies and working collaboratively to solve complex challenges. Most importantly, it showed them that they have an important role to play in Australia's energy future.
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