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Chris Dumbrell
Senior Manager – Maintenance, Reliability Engineering and Condition Assessment
Sydney Water
Sydney Water
Claude Morris
National Sector Leader- BESS
GHD
GHD
Dr Elizabeth Ratnam
Associate Professor - Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering
Monash University
Monash University
Dr Rui Li
Lecturer - Electrical Engineering
Victoria University
Victoria University
Dr Shantanu Kumar
Associate Principal | Energy – HV Substations Technical Lead
Arup
Arup
Francisco Dutra
International Transformer Expert
Sergi Transformer Protector (France)
Sergi Transformer Protector (France)
Giacomo Ciotti
Divisional Manager – OptMonitor
Machinemonitor
Machinemonitor
Jeremy Culberg
Senior Electrical Engineer
Watersure
Watersure
Katherine Richards AM CSC
Chief Engineer
Engineers Australia
Engineers Australia
Kellie Kininmont
Lead Engineering Delivery Services
SA Water
SA Water
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Mark Ragusa
Head of Asset Management and Planning
Ausgrid
Ausgrid
Milinda Senanayake
Principal Electrical Engineer
South East Water
South East Water
Mitchell O'Shea
Reliability Engineer
Brisbane Airport Corporation
Brisbane Airport Corporation
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Mladen Sasic
Manager of Rotating Machines Technical Services
Iris Power (Canada)
Iris Power (Canada)
Mushfiq Rahman
Managing Director
CV Services Group
CV Services Group
Nathan Bitsas
Head of Electricity Network Safety
Energy Safe Victoria
Energy Safe Victoria
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Praema Ranga
Product Services Manager | Chair of Women in Engineering Queensland
Boeing Defence Australia | Engineers Australia
Boeing Defence Australia | Engineers Australia
Prof Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian
Director - Siemens Swinburne Energy Transition Hub, Professor & Major Discipline Coordinator – Electrical & Electronics - School of Engineering
Swinburne University of Technology
Swinburne University of Technology
Ravindra Siddachar
Principal Engineer
APA Group
APA Group
Shaikat Debnath, PhD
Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Specialist
Potentia Energy
Potentia Energy
Shantanu Bendre
Mechanical and Electrical Reliability Engineer
Yarra Valley Water
Yarra Valley Water
Steve Lilliss
Senior Manager Asset Management
Horizon Power
Horizon Power
Victor Edo
Senior Electrical Engineer - Major Capital Projects
Alcoa
Alcoa
Vikas Bhandari MIEAust CPEng NER
Senior Electrical Engineer
Machinemonitor
Machinemonitor
Steve Lilliss
Senior Manager Asset ManagementHorizon Power
Steve Lilliss is a highly respected energy sector leader with almost 25 years’ experience across state-owned and privately operated utilities. He brings deep expertise spanning operations, engineering, planning, asset management and large-scale transformation, supporting complex regulated generation, transmission and distribution assets.
Steve has led large, geographically dispersed teams and is widely recognised for his strong safety leadership and collaborative approach. Throughout his career, he has been accountable for delivering major infrastructure maintenance, asset replacement and capital programs exceeding $90 million, while driving measurable improvements in safety, productivity and cost efficiency. His work has included implementing asset and field delivery innovations that significantly reduced system maintenance costs and improved workforce outcomes.
With extensive experience in emergency and disaster response, Steve has played a key role in improving network reliability and public safety. He is now contributing to the energy transition, focused on integrating renewables and new technologies to support high levels of renewable penetration. Steve holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration.
Steve has led large, geographically dispersed teams and is widely recognised for his strong safety leadership and collaborative approach. Throughout his career, he has been accountable for delivering major infrastructure maintenance, asset replacement and capital programs exceeding $90 million, while driving measurable improvements in safety, productivity and cost efficiency. His work has included implementing asset and field delivery innovations that significantly reduced system maintenance costs and improved workforce outcomes.
With extensive experience in emergency and disaster response, Steve has played a key role in improving network reliability and public safety. He is now contributing to the energy transition, focused on integrating renewables and new technologies to support high levels of renewable penetration. Steve holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration.
Speaking at
Masterclass
08:30
Masterclass: Overcoming technology and operational challenges for Battery Energy Storage Systems
Speaker
Speakers
Steve Lilliss,
Claude Morris,
Claude Morris
National Sector Leader- BESSGHD
Claude Morris is a senior power systems specialist with more than a decade of experience delivering complex energy storage, microgrid and system integration solutions across Australia. At GHD, Claude plays a key leadership role in advancing large-scale battery energy storage and integrated power system projects, supporting utilities, developers and governments as they navigate the energy transition.
Based in Western Australia, Claude has led multidisciplinary teams responsible for the design and integration of microgrids, storage and renewable energy assets, with a strong focus on system strength, reliability and power quality. His expertise spans both islanded and interconnected networks, including system studies, protection and fault analysis, network impact assessments and asset management planning.
Prior to joining GHD, Claude worked at Horizon Power as a power systems and renewable energy engineer, contributing to the operation and evolution of remote and regional power systems. He brings a practical, systems-focused perspective to integrating storage and renewables at scale. Claude holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Murdoch University.
Based in Western Australia, Claude has led multidisciplinary teams responsible for the design and integration of microgrids, storage and renewable energy assets, with a strong focus on system strength, reliability and power quality. His expertise spans both islanded and interconnected networks, including system studies, protection and fault analysis, network impact assessments and asset management planning.
Prior to joining GHD, Claude worked at Horizon Power as a power systems and renewable energy engineer, contributing to the operation and evolution of remote and regional power systems. He brings a practical, systems-focused perspective to integrating storage and renewables at scale. Claude holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Murdoch University.
Speaking at
Masterclass
08:30
Masterclass: Overcoming technology and operational challenges for Battery Energy Storage Systems
Speaker
Speakers
Steve Lilliss,
Claude Morris,
Mushfiq Rahman
Managing DirectorCV Services Group
Speaking at
Opening Remarks
08:50
Opening remarks from the Chair
Speaker
Speakers
Mushfiq Rahman,
Panel Discussion
09:50
Panel discussion: Reinventing HV asset strategy for a DER-heavy, BESS-driven future
Speaker
Speakers
Mushfiq Rahman,
Dr Shantanu Kumar,
Prof Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian,
Dr Shantanu Kumar
Associate Principal | Energy – HV Substations Technical LeadArup
Dr Shantanu Kumar is an Associate Principal at Arup and the Energy – HV Substations Technical Lead, with more than 35 years of experience across transmission and distribution networks. A recognised subject matter expert in HV and LV substations, his career spans design, engineering, testing, commissioning, asset management and reliability engineering across both brownfield upgrades and new-build infrastructure projects including digital substations based on IEC 61850 protocol.
Dr Kumar has delivered complex substation projects ranging from 11 kV to 400 kV AIS and GIS installations across underground and surface environments, supporting Western Australia’s mining, utilities and major infrastructure sectors. His work has focused on ensuring safe, reliable and high-performance substation operation through rigorous engineering design and lifecycle asset strategies.
With deep practical and advisory experience, he brings a systems-level perspective on how evolving grid conditions are reshaping substation performance, reliability expectations and engineering decision-making across modern high-voltage networks.
Dr Kumar has delivered complex substation projects ranging from 11 kV to 400 kV AIS and GIS installations across underground and surface environments, supporting Western Australia’s mining, utilities and major infrastructure sectors. His work has focused on ensuring safe, reliable and high-performance substation operation through rigorous engineering design and lifecycle asset strategies.
With deep practical and advisory experience, he brings a systems-level perspective on how evolving grid conditions are reshaping substation performance, reliability expectations and engineering decision-making across modern high-voltage networks.
Speaking at
09:00
Australia’s HV asset turning point and why critical equipment is failing faster and what must change
Speaker
Speakers
Dr Shantanu Kumar,
Panel Discussion
09:50
Panel discussion: Reinventing HV asset strategy for a DER-heavy, BESS-driven future
Speaker
Speakers
Mushfiq Rahman,
Dr Shantanu Kumar,
Prof Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian,
Roundtables
Roundtable 5 - Arc-flash risk in modern HV systems: exposure pathways, protection gaps and practical mitigation
Speaker
Speakers
Dr Shantanu Kumar,
Prof Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian
Director - Siemens Swinburne Energy Transition Hub, Professor & Major Discipline Coordinator – Electrical & Electronics - School of EngineeringSwinburne University of Technology
Professor Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian is Discipline Director of Electrical and Electronics at School of Science Computing and Engineering Technologies and Director of Siemens Swinburne Energy Transition Hub at Swinburne University of Technology, Australia. He holds B.Sc. degree, M. Eng. Degree and PhD degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. His research interests include Renewable Energy systems, Microgrids, Smart grids and AI integrated Energy Systems. Prior to this engagement, he was the deputy director of CADET-VR lab at Deakin University. He strongly believes in industry-engaged research initiatives and has stablished several key research partnerships with leading external industries and research centres during his academic career. Mehdi has been chief/partner investigator around $21m funding application submission, including ~$10m successfully funded projects.
He is among the top 2% researchers in the world based on his research performance within in Electrical Engineering and Energy disciplines. He has been author/co-author of ~180 research articles, including 200+ highly-ranked journal papers, cited more than 7000 times in the prestigious databases including Nature Publication Journals. In addition, he also serves as editor/assimilate editors of prestigious academic journals and invited keynote speaker in numerous national and international energy related conferences and symposiums.
He is among the top 2% researchers in the world based on his research performance within in Electrical Engineering and Energy disciplines. He has been author/co-author of ~180 research articles, including 200+ highly-ranked journal papers, cited more than 7000 times in the prestigious databases including Nature Publication Journals. In addition, he also serves as editor/assimilate editors of prestigious academic journals and invited keynote speaker in numerous national and international energy related conferences and symposiums.
Speaking at
Panel Discussion
09:50
Panel discussion: Reinventing HV asset strategy for a DER-heavy, BESS-driven future
Speaker
Speakers
Mushfiq Rahman,
Dr Shantanu Kumar,
Prof Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian,
14:00
Maximising cable asset life: Predictive modelling, field analytics and real-world extension case studies
Speaker
Speakers
Prof Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian,
Giacomo Ciotti
Divisional Manager – OptMonitorMachinemonitor
Giacomo Ciotti is an Electrical Engineer focused on HV assets. He completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering at the University of Bologna. Giacomo worked as an R&D Electrical Engineer at Techimp – Doble Engineering, where his focus areas included developing algorithms for partial discharge risk assessment in online monitoring systems, studying insulation systems under impulsive voltage stresses, and analysing space charge behaviour in HVDC applications. Giacomo is an active member of IEEE and CIGRE, and he is also part of CIGRE Working Group D1-78. Between 2022 and 2024, he contributed to a European research project focused on partial discharge phenomena under DC stress. In February 2025, Giacomo joined machinemonitor® as the OptMonitor Divisional Manager. In this role, he is responsible for online condition monitoring solutions within machinemonitor.
Speaking at
11:00
Online monitoring of end-winding vibration and partial discharge in a 225 MVA generator
Speaker
Speakers
Giacomo Ciotti,
Francisco Dutra
International Transformer ExpertSergi Transformer Protector (France)
Speaking at
11:30
Protecting power transformers from catastrophic failure
Speaker
Speakers
Francisco Dutra,
Roundtables
Roundtable 3 - Transformer failure forensics and the early indicators that are easy to miss
Speaker
Speakers
Francisco Dutra,
Ravindra Siddachar
Principal EngineerAPA Group
Ravindra Siddachar is a Fellow of Engineers Australia (FIEAust) and Chartered Engineer (CPEng – Electrical & Mechanical) with extensive experience in power plant engineering, rotating equipment and power asset management across the Asia-Pacific region. He brings deep technical expertise in turbo generators and both heavy-duty and aero gas turbines, with hands-on and advisory experience spanning GE, Siemens, Hitachi, Mitsubishi, Alstom, ABB and Brush technologies.
Trained in GE heavy-duty gas turbines, Ravindra has supported the full asset lifecycle, including design, installation, commissioning, protection upgrades, maintenance strategy and reliability improvement programs. As a Technical Advisor for rotating equipment, he has worked extensively across Australia, New Zealand, South-East and North-East Asia, leading multidisciplinary teams to deliver safe, reliable and commercially aligned engineering outcomes.
A Six Sigma Green Belt, Ravindra is passionate about technical excellence and developing engineering capability, supported by earlier experience in switchgear design and HV transmission and substation installation.
Trained in GE heavy-duty gas turbines, Ravindra has supported the full asset lifecycle, including design, installation, commissioning, protection upgrades, maintenance strategy and reliability improvement programs. As a Technical Advisor for rotating equipment, he has worked extensively across Australia, New Zealand, South-East and North-East Asia, leading multidisciplinary teams to deliver safe, reliable and commercially aligned engineering outcomes.
A Six Sigma Green Belt, Ravindra is passionate about technical excellence and developing engineering capability, supported by earlier experience in switchgear design and HV transmission and substation installation.
Speaking at
12:00
Managing renewable-driven load variability to improve rotating machinery reliability
Speaker
Speakers
Ravindra Siddachar,
Mitchell O'Shea
Reliability EngineerBrisbane Airport Corporation
Mitchell O’Shea is a Reliability Engineer at Brisbane Airport Corporation with eight years industry experience across water, mining, oil and gas, and aviation sectors. With a mixed background in consulting and site-based operations, he brings practical insight into asset reliability, maintenance strategy and operational performance in complex infrastructure environments.
Mitchell’s work focuses on improving operational resilience through applied reliability practices, data-informed decision making, and stakeholder collaboration aligned with operational needs. His cross-industry experience enables him to apply lessons learned from diverse asset environments to support safer and more reliable outcomes.
Passionate about people and capability development, Mitchell contributes to mentoring programs supporting both young people entering the workforce and engineering peers, mirroring his belief that investing in people is the foundation of a thriving engineering culture and collective excellence.
Mitchell’s work focuses on improving operational resilience through applied reliability practices, data-informed decision making, and stakeholder collaboration aligned with operational needs. His cross-industry experience enables him to apply lessons learned from diverse asset environments to support safer and more reliable outcomes.
Passionate about people and capability development, Mitchell contributes to mentoring programs supporting both young people entering the workforce and engineering peers, mirroring his belief that investing in people is the foundation of a thriving engineering culture and collective excellence.
Speaking at
13:30
Ready for take-off: Effective spares management for operational resilience at Brisbane Airport
Speaker
Speakers
Mitchell O'Shea,
Milinda Senanayake
Principal Electrical EngineerSouth East Water
Milinda Senanayake is a Principal Electrical Engineer at South East Water and a Chartered Electrical Engineer with extensive experience across the power, water, renewable energy, paper and industrial sectors. His expertise spans LV power distribution design, technical standards, electrical governance, switchgear, earthing systems and engineering risk management.
At South East Water, Milinda provides technical leadership across planning, delivery and operations; chairs the EICC Standards Committee; and leads key safety uplift initiatives. This includes enhancing Arc Flash PPE requirements and developing strengthened standards for Arc Flash risk management and engineering controls.
Previously, Milinda contributed to Evoenergy’s electricity distribution network by leading the development and maintenance of construction standards, undertaking technical tender evaluations, and supporting the integration of new technologies and products into utility operations.
He has served on Standards Australia’s EL-026 Technical Committee and the Field-Based Safety Committee. Milinda holds a Master of Engineering Management and a Bachelor of Electrical & Electronic Engineering.
Recognised for his strategic approach and collaborative leadership style, Milinda works closely with multidisciplinary stakeholders to align engineering intent with operational needs, delivering efficient, resilient and future-ready infrastructure outcomes.
At South East Water, Milinda provides technical leadership across planning, delivery and operations; chairs the EICC Standards Committee; and leads key safety uplift initiatives. This includes enhancing Arc Flash PPE requirements and developing strengthened standards for Arc Flash risk management and engineering controls.
Previously, Milinda contributed to Evoenergy’s electricity distribution network by leading the development and maintenance of construction standards, undertaking technical tender evaluations, and supporting the integration of new technologies and products into utility operations.
He has served on Standards Australia’s EL-026 Technical Committee and the Field-Based Safety Committee. Milinda holds a Master of Engineering Management and a Bachelor of Electrical & Electronic Engineering.
Recognised for his strategic approach and collaborative leadership style, Milinda works closely with multidisciplinary stakeholders to align engineering intent with operational needs, delivering efficient, resilient and future-ready infrastructure outcomes.
Speaking at
14:20
Engineering HV and electrical systems for safety, reliability and long-life performance across essential services
Speaker
Speakers
Milinda Senanayake,
Dr Elizabeth Ratnam
Associate Professor - Department of Electrical and Computer Systems EngineeringMonash University
Dr Elizabeth Ratnam earned her BEng (Hons I) degree in Electrical Engineering in 2006 and a PhD in Electrical Engineering in 2016, both from the University of Newcastle, Australia. She further honed her expertise through postdoctoral research positions at the University of California, San Diego, and the University of California, Berkeley, within the California Institute for Energy and Environment (CIEE). From 2001 to 2012, Dr. Ratnam held key positions at Ausgrid, one of Australia’s largest electricity distribution networks. In 2018, Dr Ratnam earned the Future Engineering Research Leader (FERL) Fellowship at The Australian National University (ANU), where she served as a Senior Lecturer and Sub-Dean for Educational Programs at the College of Engineering & Computer Science. As of 2024, Dr. Ratnam continues to advance the frontiers of power systems research as an Associate Professor at Monash University. A Senior Member of IEEE and a Fellow of Engineers Australia, Dr. Ratnam’s research is centered on pioneering new paradigms for operating power systems, with a strong focus on developing a resilient, carbon-neutral power grid.
Speaking at
Roundtables
Roundtable 1 — Torsional stress on generator shafts — when is this an issue, why, and potential solutions
Speaker
Speakers
Dr Elizabeth Ratnam,
Victor Edo
Senior Electrical Engineer - Major Capital ProjectsAlcoa
Victor Edo is an astute leader with 15 years’ experience working as Maintenance, Reliability and Project engineer within the Mining, Oil & Gas and Manufacturing industries across Nigeria and Australia.
Currently working at Alcoa of Australia WA, Victor is a Senior Electrical Engineer within the Capital Projects Team with the primary responsibility of ensuring that electrical designs meet company specifications as well as Australian standards and ensuring construction is per approved design.
Victor holds a Bachelor degree of Electrical/Electronic Engineering from the University of Benin, Nigeria. A Master of Science in Engineering Control Systems & Instrumentation from the University of Huddersfield, England and a Certificate in Project Management Practice (PMP) from Australian Institute of Management (AIMS).
Currently working at Alcoa of Australia WA, Victor is a Senior Electrical Engineer within the Capital Projects Team with the primary responsibility of ensuring that electrical designs meet company specifications as well as Australian standards and ensuring construction is per approved design.
Victor holds a Bachelor degree of Electrical/Electronic Engineering from the University of Benin, Nigeria. A Master of Science in Engineering Control Systems & Instrumentation from the University of Huddersfield, England and a Certificate in Project Management Practice (PMP) from Australian Institute of Management (AIMS).
Speaking at
Roundtables
Roundtable 2 - Vibration, cooling and fatigue clues that predict the worst
Speaker
Speakers
Victor Edo,
Nathan Bitsas
Head of Electricity Network SafetyEnergy Safe Victoria
Nathan Bitsas is Head of Electricity Network Safety at Energy Safe Victoria, where he leads the regulatory oversight of safety across all electricity networks in Victoria. He sets the strategic direction for a multidisciplinary team of engineers, technical specialists and safety professionals responsible for ensuring network operators meet rigorous safety and compliance obligations.
A Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng), Nathan brings extensive experience across engineering consulting, project management and technical advisory roles, alongside senior positions in government administration. His background spans infrastructure delivery, regulatory frameworks and risk management within complex energy environments.
Nathan holds an MBA from Melbourne Business School and combines strong technical expertise with strategic leadership capability, focusing on improving safety outcomes, strengthening regulatory assurance and supporting the safe operation of Victoria’s evolving electricity network.
A Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng), Nathan brings extensive experience across engineering consulting, project management and technical advisory roles, alongside senior positions in government administration. His background spans infrastructure delivery, regulatory frameworks and risk management within complex energy environments.
Nathan holds an MBA from Melbourne Business School and combines strong technical expertise with strategic leadership capability, focusing on improving safety outcomes, strengthening regulatory assurance and supporting the safe operation of Victoria’s evolving electricity network.
Speaking at
Roundtables
Roundtable 4 - Separating noise from catastrophic signals
Speaker
Speakers
Nathan Bitsas,
Mladen Sasic
Manager of Rotating Machines Technical ServicesIris Power (Canada)
Mladen Sasic is Manager of Rotating Machines Technical Services with IRIS Power, Canada.
He has more than 35 years of professional experience in design and testing of Electrical Power Equipment.
Before joining IRIS, Mladen was with ADWEL International LTD., where he was involved in design and application of test equipment for on-line and off-line testing of rotating machines.
Mladen Sasic received a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Sarajevo University, Yugoslavia in 1987. He is a Fellow of the IEEE and is a registered professional engineer in Ontario, Canada. Mladen was coauthor of Handbook of Electrical Motors published in 2004, and more than 120 technical papers.
He was a member and contributed to various CIGRE, IEC, ISO and IEEE working groups.
He has more than 35 years of professional experience in design and testing of Electrical Power Equipment.
Before joining IRIS, Mladen was with ADWEL International LTD., where he was involved in design and application of test equipment for on-line and off-line testing of rotating machines.
Mladen Sasic received a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Sarajevo University, Yugoslavia in 1987. He is a Fellow of the IEEE and is a registered professional engineer in Ontario, Canada. Mladen was coauthor of Handbook of Electrical Motors published in 2004, and more than 120 technical papers.
He was a member and contributed to various CIGRE, IEC, ISO and IEEE working groups.
Speaking at
Roundtables
Roundtable 6 - Managing alert fatigue and false confidence in continuously monitored assets
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Speaker
Speakers
Mladen Sasic,
09:30
Understanding condition-based maintenance and when continuous monitoring becomes essential
Speaker
Speakers
Mladen Sasic,
Dr Rui Li
Lecturer - Electrical EngineeringVictoria University
Speaking at
08:50
Introduction by Day 2 Chair
Speaker
Speakers
Dr Rui Li,
13:30
Panel discussion: Engineering leadership when assets age faster than budgets allow
Speaker
Speakers
Dr Rui Li,
Praema Ranga,
Chris Dumbrell,
Katherine Richards AM CSC
Chief EngineerEngineers Australia
Speaking at
09:00
Diagnosing HV incidents under pressure: From first alarm to defensible conclusions
Speaker
Speakers
Katherine Richards AM CSC,
Vikas Bhandari MIEAust CPEng NER
Senior Electrical EngineerMachinemonitor
Vikas Bhandari is an Associate Principal Engineer at machinemonitor(R) and a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng, NER) accredited by Engineers Australia. He specialises in the testing, inspection and overhaul of high-voltage electrical rotating machinery, with strong expertise in Reliability-centred Maintenance (RCM), Risk-based Maintenance (RbM) and Condition-based Maintenance (CbM).
Vikas has extensive experience in failure assessment and root cause analysis, supporting asset owners through engineering consulting and reliability improvement initiatives. His technical capabilities include partial discharge testing and analysis, infrared thermography (TCAT-1), vibration analysis (VCAT-2) and power system protection. He has presented technical papers at both national and international conferences and is currently an active representative to the CIGRE AP1 panel.
He graduated from Curtin University with First Class Honours in Electrical Power Engineering in January 2017 and was awarded Vice-Chancellor Membership for ranking in the top one per cent of undergraduate students.
Vikas has extensive experience in failure assessment and root cause analysis, supporting asset owners through engineering consulting and reliability improvement initiatives. His technical capabilities include partial discharge testing and analysis, infrared thermography (TCAT-1), vibration analysis (VCAT-2) and power system protection. He has presented technical papers at both national and international conferences and is currently an active representative to the CIGRE AP1 panel.
He graduated from Curtin University with First Class Honours in Electrical Power Engineering in January 2017 and was awarded Vice-Chancellor Membership for ranking in the top one per cent of undergraduate students.
Speaking at
11:00
Reverse engineering and rewinding large HV stators: transitioning from GVPI to resin-rich insulation
Speaker
Speakers
Vikas Bhandari MIEAust CPEng NER,
Mark Ragusa
Head of Asset Management and PlanningAusgrid
Speaking at
12:00
Down-conductor detection and public safety
Speaker
Speakers
Mark Ragusa,
Praema Ranga
Product Services Manager | Chair of Women in Engineering QueenslandBoeing Defence Australia | Engineers Australia
Praema Ranga is a seasoned engineering leader with over 20 years of experience, currently leading teams for the Air Combat and Electronic Attack program at Boeing Defence Australia. His career spans manufacturing, control room operations, major projects, asset management, design management, operations, and sustainment across the energy and defence industries in Australia.
Based in Brisbane, Praema has a proven track record in strategic capability development and leading high-performing teams to deliver complex, high-risk programs with precision and excellence. She excels in fostering collaboration, uniting diverse stakeholders, and aligning competing priorities to achieve strategic organisational objectives. With expertise in capital works and departmental budget management, she is adept at balancing operational efficiency with long-term growth.
Beyond his professional role, Praema is deeply committed to industry and community leadership. She actively contributes to not-for-profit organisations as a board and committee member, mentors emerging professionals, and leads networking initiatives. A regular speaker at industry events, she champions inclusive and safer workplaces, advocating for a more diverse and innovative future in engineering and defence.
Based in Brisbane, Praema has a proven track record in strategic capability development and leading high-performing teams to deliver complex, high-risk programs with precision and excellence. She excels in fostering collaboration, uniting diverse stakeholders, and aligning competing priorities to achieve strategic organisational objectives. With expertise in capital works and departmental budget management, she is adept at balancing operational efficiency with long-term growth.
Beyond his professional role, Praema is deeply committed to industry and community leadership. She actively contributes to not-for-profit organisations as a board and committee member, mentors emerging professionals, and leads networking initiatives. A regular speaker at industry events, she champions inclusive and safer workplaces, advocating for a more diverse and innovative future in engineering and defence.
Speaking at
13:30
Panel discussion: Engineering leadership when assets age faster than budgets allow
Speaker
Speakers
Dr Rui Li,
Praema Ranga,
Chris Dumbrell,
Chris Dumbrell
Senior Manager – Maintenance, Reliability Engineering and Condition AssessmentSydney Water
Chris Dumbrell is a seasoned operations, maintenance, and asset management professional with over 25 years of experience across diverse industries including water, roads, and entertainment. Throughout his career, Chris has successfully led a wide range of operations and maintenance contracts, demonstrating deep expertise in asset and project management.
Currently, Chris leads the Maintenance, Reliability & Condition Assessment Team at Sydney Water, where he is responsible for ensuring asset performance aligns with cost and risk expectations. His team develops prioritised, bottom-up plans for maintenance, renewals, and condition monitoring, and drives cross-functional initiatives in risk management, failure investigation, and lifecycle modelling.
Chris is passionate about driving continuous improvement and delivering strategic value through effective asset management.
Currently, Chris leads the Maintenance, Reliability & Condition Assessment Team at Sydney Water, where he is responsible for ensuring asset performance aligns with cost and risk expectations. His team develops prioritised, bottom-up plans for maintenance, renewals, and condition monitoring, and drives cross-functional initiatives in risk management, failure investigation, and lifecycle modelling.
Chris is passionate about driving continuous improvement and delivering strategic value through effective asset management.
Speaking at
13:30
Panel discussion: Engineering leadership when assets age faster than budgets allow
Speaker
Speakers
Dr Rui Li,
Praema Ranga,
Chris Dumbrell,
Shaikat Debnath, PhD
Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) SpecialistPotentia Energy
Shaikat Debnath is an experienced Electrical Engineer with 15 years in the power industry, specializing in power generation and energy storage. His expertise spans power project development in utility-scale BESS, solar farms, and HV substations, as well as the operation and maintenance of gas turbine power stations. His extensive O&M experience provides him with a strong understanding of long-term operational risks across the full project lifecycle. Coupled with a Ph.D. in battery energy storage, which gives him deep insight into advanced engineering design, Shaikat brings a unique perspective to project development—enabling him to identify risks early and design with long-term performance and reliability in mind.
Speaking at
14:30
Fire risk management for utility-scale BESS projects in Australia
Speaker
Speakers
Shaikat Debnath, PhD,
Jeremy Culberg
Senior Electrical EngineerWatersure
Jeremy’s career spans over 20 years in providing technical support in electrical engineering. He has successfully delivered projects with high voltage equipment as well as power distribution. Jeremy has detailed experience in optimising plant spares, long term maintenance, upgrades, reliability, asset management and efficiency.
Jeremy has worked across the power industry, from hydroelectric generation, coal fired power stations and transmission. Jeremy has delivered substation replacements, major plant upgrades and overhauls. Jeremy’s current role includes the integration of new technologies into the transmission network, ranging from BESS, to SmartWires, to synchronous condensers.
Jeremy has worked across the power industry, from hydroelectric generation, coal fired power stations and transmission. Jeremy has delivered substation replacements, major plant upgrades and overhauls. Jeremy’s current role includes the integration of new technologies into the transmission network, ranging from BESS, to SmartWires, to synchronous condensers.
Speaking at
15:30
Asset management, asset replacement and public private partnerships
Speaker
Speakers
Jeremy Culberg,
Kellie Kininmont
Lead Engineering Delivery ServicesSA Water
An Electrical Engineer with over 25 years of experience, Kellie has had the opportunity to work on major projects in Australia, including the initial Prominent Hill mine 132kV Connection, New BESS installations and the Inpex Ichthys Gas Plant construction in Darwin. Kellie has predominately worked on High Voltage Projects, in Distribution, Transmission, Gas and Mining applications, as a Delivery Manager, Design Manager and Principal Project Engineer. Kellie's unique career has included time on site as well as design experience, project close out and management.
Speaking at
16:00
Brownfield Projects – Dealing with the complexities of legacy assets?
Speaker
Speakers
Kellie Kininmont,
Shantanu Bendre
Mechanical and Electrical Reliability EngineerYarra Valley Water
Shantanu is a chartered professional engineer (CPEng) and registered professional engineer of Victoria (RPEV). He is an experienced Electrical Engineer and technical leader with over eight years in the water industry. His expertise spans reliability-centred maintenance, engineering design, technical standards development, engineering quality assurance, project management, and strategic asset management. He has worked extensively with electrical and renewable energy assets on dams and other water-related infrastructure in Victoria and the Riverina.
Speaking at
16:30
Building the next-generation reliability workforce: Skills, systems and culture for data-driven asset performance
Speaker
Speakers
Shantanu Bendre,
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