Case studies: Power engineer: Aidan Roberts

Aidan has a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from the University of Queensland and is now based in the UK, having won the ES Cornwall Memorial Scholarship. He graduated in 2005 and since then has worked in the energy and power field.

I am very proud of winning the scholarship (only two were awarded) and I am using the opportunity to gain overseas experience. This global aspect is one reason why I was attracted to this specialism. It is an exciting growth area, with both private and government organisations investing throughout the world.

As well as the fundamentals of engineering, my degree course covered engineering management subjects. We had to undertake year-long projects as a team, working to a budget. I have found this has turned out to be a great preparation for work. I also think that the non course-related aspects of a university education, like the core skills of analysis and critical thinking, can be applied in any work situation.

Following a six month placement with an energy regulator, I am now based near Chester with EA Technology Ltd who provide training and consultancy in power asset management. I am undertaking a review of business models, regulatory frameworks, technologies and trials associated with Smart Grids. I work fairly autonomously, taking my own approach to projects with clear deliverables and a budget. I spend my time attending conferences and liaising with other consultants, engineers and clients.

After I graduated, I joined an electricity distribution company in Australia. Three years into the four year graduate programme, my employer alerted me to the scholarship and encouraged and supported my application. It is a measure of the demand for electrical engineers that my job is being kept open and I have been offered incentives when I return to them.

I see power engineering as an area with lots of work to be done and where significant changes are happening all the time. It is exciting to be involved in new and emerging technologies and I find it particularly rewarding to be involved in helping organisations tackle issues like climate change and the European targets for the reduction of carbon emissions.

I originally chose engineering as I’ve always liked gadgets and technology. This work allows me to play with some of the biggest ‘gadgets’ in the world. I am less keen on the more desk-bound aspects of the job such as report writing.

I am hoping the scholarship will also take me to the US. When I return to Australia, I’d like to get more involved in the regulatory side of the industry and large-scale implementation of new technologies. Eventually, I would like to act as an advisor, using my experience to help companies meet their regulatory commitments.