In this episode of The Gridcast, Liam Dutton sits down with Amir Jesmi, a respected figure in the transmission and renewables industry, with more than two decades of experience spanning Iran and Australia.

Amir shares his inspiring journey - starting as a design engineer in Iran, founding a business, and later migrating to Australia, where he spent 14 successful years at UGL. Now, as the founder of Enervia, Amir offers his candid perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing Australia's energy transition.

The conversation dives deep into mentorship in engineering, transmission project delays, the role of AI, and how better planning can unlock real cost savings. With practical insights and a refreshing outlook, this episode is a must-listen for industry professionals, young engineers, and anyone passionate about energy and infrastructure.

What You’ll Learn

1. Engineering Career Lessons Across Continents
Amir details his journey from Iran to Australia, navigating cultural, linguistic, and industry shifts, and building a lasting career with integrity, grit, and adaptability.

2. The Real Cost of Poor Planning in Transmission
Learn how lack of upfront planning, community engagement, and system inertia are delaying projects and increasing costs- and what can be done about it.

3. AI, Data Centers & the Future of Energy Infrastructure
Amir shares his optimistic take on Australia's potential to lead in clean energy and tech infrastructure, including the rise of AI, data centers, and automated design.

About the Guest

Amir Jesmi is a senior engineer and energy consultant with over 20 years of industry experience. After a formative early career in Iran - where he built substations and tackled complex transmission challenges - he migrated to Australia, joining UGL where he stayed for over 14 years. A passionate mentor and advocate for knowledge sharing, Amir has recently launched his own consultancy, Enervia Engineering.

Focused on transmission, substations, and renewables, Enervia brings deep technical insight and cost-effective design strategies to the market. Amir is a vocal proponent of better planning, community engagement, and embracing AI in infrastructure.

Useful links

• Amir Jesmi on LinkedIn

• Liam Dutton on LinkedIn

• ConnectYou Recruitment

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro & Amir’s background
01:35 – Engineering in Iran and founding a business
04:22 – Migrating to Australia: risks, language & cultural shifts
10:05 – Landing at UGL & building a 14-year career
13:00 – Learning insulation coordination and mentorship culture
18:00 – Gaps in industry mentorship & training
21:24 – From UGL to Garuda to founding NVAR Engineering
26:08 – Value of effective early-stage design
30:03 – Project delays, industry inertia, and funding gaps
35:08 – Community resistance and how to improve engagement
40:06 – Poor planning and its link to project cost blowouts
46:29 – Missed opportunities in grid design (Project EnergyConnect example)
48:46 – Optimism: AI, data centers & future energy infrastructure
55:43 – Automating design and the dream of AI integration
57:08 – Solving talent shortages & scaling mentorship
01:01:09 – Amir’s best advice: honesty, transparency, and helping others
01:03:05 – Quickfire: AI, football dreams & final thoughts

Keywords

Power transmission, substation design, renewables, clean energy, engineering careers, project delays, AI in infrastructure, data centers, mentorship, Australia energy, HVDC, NVAR Engineering, UGL, primary design, energy transition, talent shortage, engineering culture

In this episode of The GridCast, Liam Dutton welcomes Babak Badrzadeh, Co-Founder of Etik Energy and Bespoke Energy. With deep technical expertise in power systems and a career spanning both AEMO and private consultancy, Babak brings a unique perspective on the transformation of Australia’s energy landscape.

Babak shares his career journey, from his early days in the sector to founding two businesses focused on technical excellence and flexible engineering solutions. He unpacks some of the most pressing issues in the power sector today—including generator connection challenges, system strength, grid stability, and the role of AI in power systems engineering.

They also discuss the future of Australia’s energy mix, the shortage of Protection Engineers, and what it takes to build a long-term career in power. Babak offers thoughtful advice for young engineers on how to stay curious, own your niche, and navigate a fast-changing industry.

For insights on entrepreneurship in the energy sector, grid challenges, and where the biggest opportunities lie, tune into this episode.

In partnership with ConnectYou.

In this episode of The GridCast, Liam Dutton welcomes Renene Windsor. With over 20 years of experience in the sector, she is a top-class leader and advisor for the energy industry.

Renene shares her career journey, highlighting her passion for the energy transition and sustainability, as well as her experiences working internationally in the energy industry. She discusses the evolution of the energy sector from coal-fired power stations to renewable energy, emphasising the importance of renewable energy zones and the challenges faced in upgrading Australia's network. Renene also addresses the talent shortage in the industry, the opportunities for new graduates, and the significance of collaboration among various stakeholders. For insights on future technologies and the need for better community engagement in energy projects, listen in to this episode.

In partnership with ConnectYou.

⚡ What You’ll Learn:

📈 Career Path in the Energy Sector: Listeners will gain insights into Renene Windsor's career journey, including her transition from engineering roles in Australia and the US to her current position as the Industry Director for Transmission and Distribution at Aurecon. She emphasises the importance of combining technical skills with business acumen and people management.

🔍 Challenges and Opportunities in the Energy Transition: The episode discusses the current challenges facing the energy sector, particularly in relation to the upgrade of Australia's transmission network and the complexities of integrating renewable energy sources. Renene highlights the opportunities available for professionals in the industry, especially in areas like renewable energy zones and grid stability.

💬 Advice for Aspiring Engineers: Renene shares valuable advice for graduate engineers and those looking to transition into the energy sector, emphasising the importance of gaining diverse experiences across different project phases and the need for continuous learning in a rapidly evolving industry. She also discusses the significance of transferable skills from other sectors, such as rail, in addressing the talent shortage in energy.

⚡ About Renene Windsor:

Renene is an energy industry leader and technical expert bringing to life some of the largest and ‘first’ energy infrastructure projects in Australia.

With key roles on major transmission infrastructure, such as Project Energy Connect, HumeLink and Renewable Energy Zones connecting large scale generation and storage, Renene helps clients deliver critical projects to strengthen Australia’s energy network and accelerate the energy transition.

She is passionate about using innovations and fostering collaboration locally and globally to deliver mega-projects at the pace and scale that’s needed.

⚡ Links and resources:

Renene Windsor’s LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/renene-windsor-9a21b0a

Liam Dutton’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-dutton-1481a9a7/

Power Transmission and Distribution recruitment: https://connectyourecruitment.com/

⚡ Time stamps:

[00:01:05] Energy transition and sustainability.

[00:05:51] Renewable energy project impact.

[00:09:57] Holistic view of energy systems.

[00:12:41] Challenges in upgrading Australia’s network.

[00:16:51] Opportunities in the energy industry.

[00:21:20] Graduates' opportunities in energy transition.

[00:25:18] Transferable skills across industries.

[00:30:56] Overseas recruitment and skill gaps.

[00:34:03] Attracting talent through projects.

[00:37:00] Early engagement and social licence.

⚡ Keywords

Power, Transmission, Distribution, Renewable Energy, Energy, Australia, Leadership, Personal Growth, Careers