Find out how we’re building the foundation for the future
Our Next Generation Network Operations (NGNO) program is set to transform the way we operate our network. From improving transmission network performance to meeting our sustainable energy goals, there are exciting things on the horizon at Powerlink. We talked to Alexandra, Manager of Strategic and Future Network Operations, about her career journey, the challenges and opportunities ahead, and what all this could mean for you and your career.
Forward-thinking strategies
Alexandra’s work at Powerlink is much more than just keeping the lights on - it’s about driving a monumental transformation that will shape the future of energy in Queensland. As Manager of Strategic and Future Network Operations, she’s on a mission to connect Queenslanders to a world-class, clean energy future.
“For me, it’s about the opportunity to make a difference,” says Alexandra. “Playing a role in our transition to renewable technologies and a low-carbon energy future is really exciting.”
After graduating from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Engineering, Alexandra’s journey into power engineering began with a pivotal early career moment - one that opened her eyes to the vast potential of the energy sector.
“I found I loved the operations side of things - the real-time, tangible aspect of it all,” she says. “Seeing amps flowing through the network in real time, knowing the lights were on because of it, that really fascinated me.”
For Alexandra, that instant of seeing energy in action marked the beginning of an illustrious decade-long career.
Today, Alexandra plays a vital role in Powerlink’s success. Her role as Manager of Strategic and Future Network is a dynamic mix of real-time problem solving and strategic planning. By anticipating future challenges and developing forward-thinking strategies, she helps reduce reactive responses to outages and ensures the network runs smoothly.
Preparing for the future
Another key aspect of Alexandra’s role is driving the success of the Next Generation Network Operations (NGNO) program- an initiative that isn’t just important, but critical to the future of energy in Queensland.
Rather than a simple upgrade, this program lays the groundwork for a bold new era of innovation, resilience and sustainability in energy management, and acts as the foundation for how Powerlink will secure and manage the state’s energy needs for years to come.
“As new technologies emerge and the energy landscape becomes increasingly complex, the NGNO program is about building systems that will grow and evolve with us, allowing for effective operations in the years to come.”
One of the most significant components of the NGNO program is a once-in-a-generation upgrade of the Energy Management System (EMS), which has been in use for nearly 20 years.
“Replacing the entire EMS with a state-of-the-art system is a massive undertaking. And it’s not just the EMS itself - there is a whole range of other systems that also need to be uplifted and integrated.”
Alexandra explains that unlike typical software upgrades that can be done incrementally, this project requires an all-or-nothing approach, which brings its own set of challenges.
“Because we’re switching vendors, you can’t just upgrade parts of the system - everything needs to be done at once. There’s a huge amount of complexity involved, especially when it comes to managing the cutover from the old system to the new one,” she says. “The associated systems either need to be transitioned to the new EMS or completely replaced, which adds to the scale and challenge of the project.”
The opportunity ahead
At the core of Alexandra’s success is her close-knit and highly skilled team. Made up of Principal Engineers, Senior Engineers, and rising star engineers from our Graduate Program and student engineers. Her team may be small but their impact has been huge. Over the past 14 months, they’ve built a strong identity within Powerlink, and earned respect and trust across the organisation.
“We’ve created a really positive team culture,” says Alexandra. “Much of what we’re working on is completely new. To thrive in that environment, you need to be curious, open-minded and willing to challenge the status quo. We spend a lot of time discussing and refining ideas, so creating a space where everyone feels comfortable contributing is key.”
For those interested in joining the NGNO program, Alexandra emphasises the importance of curiosity and a passion for innovation.
“Within NGNO, there are structured requirements you can’t compromise on, especially when dealing with something as critical as an energy management system,” Alexandra explains. “But that doesn’t mean we have to do things the way they’ve always been done. We want people who understand existing processes to respectfully question them and see if there’s a better way forward.
“This project is a foundational piece for the future of energy in Queensland. The chance to say you’ve been part of implementing a brand-new energy management system - one that will shape how we operate for years to. It’s not just a technical challenge, it’s a chance to make a lasting impact.