When I joined Zenith Energy as a Control Systems Engineer, I knew I was joining a company at the forefront of Australia’s energy transition. With a background in Power Engineering and Computer Science, and a passion for renewable energy and programming, it felt like the perfect place to combine my interests while helping shape the future of remote power generation.
Today, as a Senior Control Systems Engineer, I work with a team focused on the control systems and software integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) across Zenith’s remote power stations. Together, we design, implement and test control logic to maximise efficiency, reliability and renewable energy penetration across our sites.
Our work involves a wide range of technologies, including energy management systems, inverters, generator controllers, PLCs, protection relays and network switches. We also use industrial communication protocols such as Modbus, Ethernet/IP, DNP3, OPC and ProfNet to integrate devices and develop SCADA systems, giving operators the information, controls and alarms they need to safely manage our power stations.
One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about working at Zenith is that no two projects are ever the same. Every project brings a new technical challenge, which means there’s always an opportunity to learn something new. What has impressed me most is how willing everyone is to share their knowledge and support each other. It’s a collaborative environment where continuous learning and professional growth are genuinely encouraged.
A typical day starts with reviewing the progress of active projects and checking whether there are any issues that need attention. From there, I might be developing or testing control logic, analysing system performance across our sites or working with field operators to improve different aspects of our control systems. The variety is what keeps the role exciting.
One project I’m especially proud of involved transitioning an existing site control system to a more robust platform while maintaining continuous operations. It was a technically demanding project with several unexpected challenges, but the team worked closely together, shared ideas and solved problems as they arose. Seeing the successful outcome made all the hard work worthwhile.
Zenith has also given me opportunities beyond my core engineering role. I’ve been encouraged to explore new areas, broaden my skills and support colleagues across the business. Working for a company that values initiative motivates me to keep learning and improving every day.
Another aspect I appreciate is the flexibility. The flexible start and finish times make it easier to maintain a healthy work-life balance while continuing to perform at my best.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to keep working on new and challenging projects while continuing to develop both my technical expertise and my interpersonal skills. With Zenith’s strong pipeline of future projects and continued growth, I’m looking forward to growing alongside the company and contributing to its ongoing success.
Michael Buzzard is the Executive of IPP Growth at Zenith Energy, spearheading the company’s expansion in the independent power producer sector. With over 25 years’ experience in business development and commercial management, Michael specialises in sustainable energy solutions and strategic partnerships that foster growth and innovation.
Mark Sputore is an experienced in-house legal professional with 20 years of industry expertise. Since joining Zenith Energy in 2023 as General Counsel & Company Secretary, he has been responsible for overseeing legal, governance, and regulatory matters, ensuring compliance and strategic risk management. His extensive experience in corporate law and energy sector regulations supports Zenith Energy’s commitment to operational excellence and sustainable growth.
Abby Kenward is a Human Resources Executive with the ability to optimise businesses by effectively resourcing, managing, developing and deploying people. Over twelve years’ experience in implementing and managing HR & IR business functions, including; Resourcing, Remuneration and Benefits, Learning and Development, Performance Management, Employee Relations and Strategic Planning. This experience has been gained across a range of industries; consulting, oil and gas, engineering, construction and non for profits.
Dominic has 25 years international commercial experience with the past 15 years in senior executive energy sector business development and leadership roles. He has shaped strategy, business direction and led market development in renewables and microgrids across the public and private sector. Dominic has led a range of professional clean energy and microgrid projects as consultant and project director with energy utilities, remote communities, mining operations, commercial and industrial property developers. Dominic was responsible for the founding and building one of the longest standing successful private clean energy businesses in Australia. He was also the Project Director for the creation of a new statutory electricity corporation for the WA government with 800,000 customers
Tim joined Zenith Energy as Executive Corporate Development in April 2021, moving into the Chief Financial Officer role in January 2023.
Tim leads the Finance, IT and Corporate Development functions at Zenith. Tim is an experienced executive and has held a number of finance and corporate development roles with South32 and BHP. Prior to his current role with Zenith, he was the Head of Treasury and Corporate Finance for South32. He has a Bachelor degree in Commerce and Law and a Master of Applied Finance.
Elvin has over 25 years experience in the energy industry including as an upstream oil & gas industry executive across the LNG value chain for fixed and floating small to mid-scale Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) projects in USA, Canada, China, Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia & Papua New Guinea. Elvin is experienced in establishing new domestic virtual pipeline natural gas markets and expanding existing market offerings for the LNG fuels and power sector including initiating, evaluating and delivering sanctioned business cases to realize target ROI. Elvin has previously held executive management roles for an ASX top 50 energy operator delivering a baseload LNG project in Papua New Guinea, and for specialist SME consulting companies in the Australasian region supporting both onshore and offshore Exploration & Production activities.
Simon Jelly is a Specialist Electrical technician who has +20 years’ experience in the remote power industry. He is highly skilled in Gas, Diesel, and Hybrid renewable power stations, having designed, commissioned, and constructed numerous power stations throughout WA and the NT Mining Industries. Simon has strong leadership skills having grown a successful design and construction team at Zenith over 10 years. Simon has been responsible for designing, engineering and the construction of new projects, managing all technical aspects of the business including, operational efficiency initiatives, the tender process, as well as R&D.
Russell has over 38 years’ experience in safety management roles across the mining, energy, power and drilling industries. Most recently, he was the Contract HSE/HR Manager overseeing Drillwest and Acqua Drill Resources through his own company RP Hazard, Risk and Training Solutions. Previously he held roles with BHP Billiton, Wesfarmers Energy (Kleenheat Gas), Western Power and Boart Longyear. Russell’s expertise includes risk identification and management, development and implementation of Management Systems to Australian Standards and ensuring a compliance focus with safety in design.
Graham is an electrical technician and experienced manager having worked in the IPP industry with Doug for many years, he has over 30 years’ experience in designing, constructing, and operating, remote area’s power stations and renewable energy systems. He is responsible for, managing all engineering, project construction, and operational/maintenance aspects of the business, including the company HSEQ and Human resources teams.
Hamish has extensive experience in the downstream oil industry gained primarily in building markets in numerous sectors across Asia, Europe and the US. Hamish was most recently the Chief Executive Officer of a private commercial services company, which he sold into a major public services conglomerate in the second half of 2015. Previously he was the Chief Executive Officer of a privately held oil distribution company, which holds exclusive distribution rights to a major international brand and has performed roles as Segment Director and Marketing Director for one of the world’s largest oil companies.
Doug is a 35-year veteran of the power generation industry. He has designed and built more than 60 remote power stations across Australasia, initially through his own company, StateWest Power and later through Zenith Pacific, which he co-founded in 2006. StateWest was subsequently acquired by Wesfarmers Energy. Doug is recognised in the industry for his innovative thinking, both in finding effective solutions to difficult power generation problems and for creating the now widely-recognised Build – Own – Operate (BOO) approach to the establishment of remote area power plants.