There's a reason we're ranked as one of the top graduate employers in Australia. Thanks Abi Woodcock for sharing your experience. You did a great job, and we're thrilled you got so much out of your time with us. At #Yurika and Energy Queensland we're committed to providing graduates with valuable real-world experience across various commercial aspects of project engineering.
Bachelor/Masters of Engineering (Mechatronics) Undergraduate Student at the University of Queensland | UQEUS Secretary | Student Ambassador for Engineers Australia
Over the summer, I had the incredible opportunity to work with the Engineering and Delivery team at #Yurika. This experience introduced me to many wide-scale renewable energy projects happening across Queensland as we collectively move toward a more sustainable future. During my 12 weeks with the team, I contributed primarily to the Stanwell Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project that is under construction near Rockhampton. This project, which will feature 324 Tesla Megapack 2XL batteries, is the largest of its kind in construction in Queensland. Once commissioned it will provide 300MW of power and 4 hours of storage duration. Everyone always says that you only learn what an engineer does when you step into the workforce, and I could not agree more. My biggest hurdle was learning to interpret various drawings for the project, something that can’t be taught in a classroom. Once I had progressed through this, I was able to assist with design reviews and procurement for the project. I was also lucky enough to witness Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT’s) for the MV and HV equipment during my placement. This provided me unique insight into the quality process, reinforcing how rigorous testing is critical for ensuring reliable performance once equipment is deployed. A standout moment was visiting the Swanbank BESS located in CleanCo’s Swanbank Clean Energy Hub, a project very similar to Stanwell BESS. My favourite part was seeing the construction of the 275/33kV substation on our second visit and witnessing first-hand the sheer scale of these electrical components. Another major highlight was getting to visit POWIN, the supplier of the protection panels for Stanwell BESS. As a mechatronic student with a keen interest in control and automation, witnessing the manufacturing of the “brains” behind such a large-scale project was truly eye-opening. I am extremely grateful to my wonderful supervisor Martin Grobler and the broader Yurika team for their mentorship and support during my placement. I would also like to thank the #EnergyQueensland Early Careers Team for organising and assisting me through my placement. Throughout this experience I’ve gained invaluable knowledge of Australia’s Energy Market and the drive for a renewable future, and I’m excited for my next opportunity to contribute to this evolving sector.