Australia is a great country for renewable energy generation with plenty of sun, wind, and waterÌýreservoirs.ÌýHowever, toÌýreliably trump fossil fuel generation,Ìýour gridÌýneeds to be updated with more modernÌýtechnologies, and the need for power engineers is greater than ever!Ìý
With the global push for renewableÌýenergy, we are seeing a shortage ofÌýthe required skills to get us there.ÌýThe latest report fromÌýEngineers Australia shows that less and less AustralianÌýhigh schoolÌýstudents are studyingÌýphysicsÌýandÌýadvancedÌýmathematicsÌýcourses.ÌýLess than 6% of girls studyÌýphysics and only 6.2% of girls and 11.5% of boys studyÌýadvanced mathematics.ÌýÌý
This isÌýconcerning for many ofÌýtheÌýSTEMÌýindustriesÌýin Australia,Ìýespecially as we move away from our traditional resource-based economy,ÌýwhichÌýposes a threat to the future of renewable energy in Australia. WithÌýa shortage ofÌýpowerÌýengineers,ÌýAustralia simplyÌýwill notÌýhave theÌýskillset to transform our powerÌýgrid to withstand the influx of renewable energy.
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There are plenty of jobs available for students who complete an electrical engineering degree,Ìýand pressure is beingÌýputÌýon the government to ensure that we can meet the need forÌýpowerÌýengineersÌýwith more domestic engineers.ÌýCurrently, 57% ofÌýengineersÌýin Australia were born overseasÌýwhich isÌýmuch higher thanÌýthe national average of 40%.ÌýÌý
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We spoke to Lead Electrical Engineer,ÌýLize-Marie VanÌýWyk from Aurecon who worksÌýin power engineering and renewable energy projects. We wanted to know what Lize-Marie thinks about the shortage and why it is imperative that we address this issue now. Check out our Q&A below.
What does an electrical power engineer do?
ÌýAn electrical engineer focuses on the generation,Ìýtransmission,Ìýand distribution of electric power. This can include designing, planning and/or commissioning of power networks, testing of electrical equipment and/or power system studies.Ìý
As part of my work,ÌýI also manage projects (budget, resources, etc.) and work directly with clients. It is not all technical all the time 😊Ìý
There is a shortage ofÌýpowerÌýengineersÌýin Australia; what effect could a continued lack have on our nation's power grid and renewable energy future?Ìý
You would have seen in the news recently that Australia is aiming to achieve net-zero electricity emissions by 2050 which means that there will be an increasing demand for electrical engineers in the Australian market and globally. Currently the national energy gridÌýreliesÌýon the existing fossil generation to maintain stability. A lack of power engineers is bound to delay progress towards this goal which will only be achievable ifÌýmodern technologiesÌýare adopted,Ìýand the distribution of electricity transformed in the coming years.Ìý
Is being aÌýpowerÌýengineerÌýsomething you can study at university, or do you specialise once you join the industry? And what was it about power engineering that attracted you to the profession?
PowerÌýengineeringÌýis a job that you can obtain upon the completion of an Electrical Engineering Bachelor. Other jobs thatÌýelectricalÌýengineersÌýcan haveÌýincludeÌýsubstation engineering, consulting, grid maintenance, telecommunications and more.
I studied electrical engineering at the University of Pretoria in South Africa where it is available as an undergraduate degree.ÌýThe subjects taken in the first two years overlapped with other engineering fields of study (civil, mechanical, chemical etc.), but from the third year, most were related to electrical engineering. Typical electrical engineering subjects include mathematics, electrical power systems, electrical machines, electromagnetism, control systems, power electronics, electrical drives, etc.
ThereÌýwasn’tÌýa hugeÌýinterest in electrical engineering at my university which I thought presented an opportunity in the market. Electrical engineering work also tends to be less affected by a downturn in the economy. The world always needs electricity.Ìý
Which part of your job do you find the most rewarding?Ìý
I enjoy the problem-solving aspect of my work the most. It isÌývery rewardingÌýknowing that I have contributed to the successful connection of a renewable energy plant (battery, solar farm, wind farm, etc.) to the national power gridÌýandÌýcontributed in that way to a more sustainable future.Ìý
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See the imageÌýbelowÌýfor theÌýsolar farm Lize-MarieÌýhelped build in the Northern Cape of South Africa and the installation of the electrical equipment (breakers, isolators, etc.) at a new 132 kV switching station in SouthÌýAfrica.ÌýÌý
Is it like a trade, all site work with high-viz vests and hard hats?
I work on the power system studies and planning team therefore almost all my projects are office based. The mix between site and office work would vary between projects and depends on your role. Most of the electrical engineering work at an engineering consultancy firm like Aurecon would be office based with occasional site visits to do inspections.
Looking back on your time in high school, which experiencesÌýcontributed to your decision to study engineering?ÌýÌý
I knew I wanted to pursue a career that presented the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects within a technical discipline such as engineering. I found math, science, and technical drawingÌýinteresting in high school.Ìý
What advice do you have for high school students who might be interested in something likeÌýElectricalÌýEngineering?ÌýÌýÌýÌý
Practice critical thinking –Ìýdo notÌýjust focus on how something is done, but always ask why too. Report writing and people skills sometimes get overlooked because engineering is perceived as being mostly technical. Technical skills are required to understand and perform the work, but soft skills such as writingÌýenables you to communicate the outcomes to clients.Ìý
By Zali Steiner - Girls in Engineering Club Ambassador