How would you introduce yourself in one sentence?

I love meeting new people and adventuring outside, some of my favourite activities include surfing, snowboarding, football and any other sports.

Why did you choose to study electrical engineering?

Originally I chose to study electrical engineering as I enjoyed maths, physics and programming hence I determined electrical engineering to be the logical career choice. However I’ve come to realise during my studies that a reliable, renewable and safe power supply is often an integral part of first world countries. Hence I’ve realised the effect that I can have on society and improving people’s quality of life and this has reinforced my decision of studying electrical engineering.

In which projects have you been involved in and outside of university? What challenges and opportunities did you encounter?

While studying at Canterbury I was required to research the effect of increased solar panel installations in New Zealand from Transpower’s perspective. The main goal of this study was to determine how increased solar generation would affect Transpower’s load flows. Another project required me to investigate upcoming technologies in power engineering. I chose to research bi-directional battery chargers for electric vehicles. Electric vehicles are an upcoming technology which are going to have a major effect on the power system in the coming years. This is because electric vehicles will increase the loading on the power system when they are being charged. However through the use of bi-directional battery chargers electric vehicles have the possibility of supplying power during peak loading times and charging during non-peak loading times, thus having a positive effect on the power system.

I have been involved in a variety of projects outside of university while working for Mitton Electronet and Wellington Electricity during summer internships. The most memorable project involved calculating the footing resistance of 80 transmission towers in Melbourne. This project required me and a colleague to work in Melbourne for three weeks in order to carry out the testing. We happened to be working in Melbourne during a heatwave in which we experienced temperatures up to 46 °C. These extreme temperatures limited our ability to conduct the testing as the temperatures were unbearable to work in. Hence we woke up at 5am each morning in order to conduct the testing during the cooler times of the day. There was even days when the temperature was so high that we were unable to conduct the testing due to fire concerns.

How would you like to contribute to the electricity supply industry in the future?

I would like to help the advancements and integration of upcoming and sustainable technologies into the grid. I would especially like to contribute to the electrical supply industry in areas of the world where a reliable, renewable and safe grid is not currently available as I believe this will have a great effect on the residents of the respective country.

What is the most important piece of advice you would give to high school students wanting to start a degree in engineering? And to university students wanting to specialise in power engineering?

I would say they should look at what subjects/activities they are currently enjoying and research what job opportunities those subjects/activities can lead to. The end of high school and university is a pivotal time in your life and it does start to set the course of your life so it is worth spending the time now researching the opportunities.