Peter O’Connor has over two decades of experience spanning the energy, power, minerals and waste sectors, having worked on a diverse range of projects across Europe throughout his career. He combines technical expertise with a passion for mentoring early-career team members and delivering impactful projects that contribute to Ireland’s energy transition and sustainability goals.

Tell us about what inspired you to join the industry.

I started off with passion and fascination with maps and geography. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but then I went to an open evening for a surveying course in Dublin. I always loved the idea of working outdoors rather than being stuck behind a desk. The course opened doors to travel across Europe, working on surveying different projects through Erasmus and similar summer schemes between third level institutes.

I started my career in a company that specialised in mineral surveying. From there, I began working on various projects, which gradually led me to focus on energy and power. I’ve certainly had my share of experiences in the field — many of which include challenging site and weather conditions.

Initially, I was directly involved with mineral exploration, management and extraction projects. This progressed to managing mineral waste, which eventually transitioned into commercial and industrial waste projects and nudged my career into the world of the circular economy. I’ve been directly involved in projects where we reduce waste, manage resources and harness energy, and now work on a range of thermal and renewable energy generation sector projects. It’s interesting to witness how interconnected these elements are in our industry, a true circular economy and the challenges that the modern world brings with it. Joining ArchTam was a perfect fit and the role allowed me to combine my expertise in energy and power sectors, with my ability to mentor early-career professionals while allowing me to become a trusted advisor for clients.

What is your favorite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why?

One of the most rewarding projects I’ve worked on is the Kilroot Power Station project in Northern Ireland. The project kicked off shortly before the first coronavirus lockdown in 2020 and involved transitioning a coal-fired power station to gas, which required pre-application work for a gas pipeline connection and integrating advanced technology. It wasn’t without its challenges — lockdowns, social distance site visits and a challenging programme managing a large multi-disciplinary environmental team was part of the job — but seeing the project secure consent, constructed and go live was incredibly fulfilling and rewarding. The early-career team members were excited about the projects as well, because they knew that the client was invested, and they could see the full project lifecycle — design to consenting to construction through to implementation — be delivered in a relatively short period of time. Our team’s environmental expertise and robust Environmental Statement and support to the planning process ensured the project itself contributed to cleaner energy solutions in the region and is a great example of how our work can make a real difference.

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community.

Many of the projects I work on are large‑scale in nature, and as a result, their impact is both far‑reaching and undeniable. Our clients are deeply committed to strengthening energy security during a critical transitional period on the journey toward net zero. Being part of this work — especially at a time when the industry is navigating such complex challenges and ambitious sustainability goals — feels genuinely meaningful.

Knowing that our contributions help keep essential services running, support long‑term resilience, and ultimately play a role in keeping the lights on is incredibly rewarding. There is also a strong sense of purpose in recognising how this work supports wider economic growth, both by enabling the energy sector to operate efficiently and by helping create the conditions for future investment and innovation. The scale and significance of these projects make the work both motivating and fulfilling.

Share a piece of career advice.

My advice to anyone starting their career is to embrace opportunities and stay adaptable. It’s okay not to know exactly what you want to do early on so expose yourself to as many different experiences as possible and don’t pigeonhole yourself too soon. Never stop challenging yourself, always be open to adapt your skill set and keep your professional development forefront of your personal and professional goals. With that in mind, I encourage early-career team members to work towards relevant chartership and professional memberships early in their career. Listen to your peers, absorb as much knowledge as you can, and focus on building strong relationships.

I often encourage early‑career team members to talk to everyone. When you’re on a site visit, take the time to chat with — and really listen to — the people on site or in the office. These conversations help you understand exactly what stakeholders and clients need.

Our Impact Assessment team collaborates with a wide variety of clients and technical teams, and sometimes we’re the face of those teams on projects. Remember: the early‑career professionals of today are the leaders of tomorrow, and the connections you build now will be invaluable throughout your career.

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Chris’ career has found him leading multidisciplinary teams on technically challenging projects; substation upgrades, rail electrification, floating LNG facilities, and large-scale battery storage. He’s helped clients navigate complex technical, commercial and operational challenges. His specialty is delivering projects that are sustainable and fit for long-term operation, on time and on budget.

What’s your career journey, and why have you joined ArchTam?

I started my career in South Africa working on control systems for substations and interconnected networks. It gave me a solid technical grounding and an appreciation for how vital reliable power is. My career then took me across industries and continents, from consulting to software development, and to Australia, Korea, France and Japan.

Along the way, I’ve worked on everything from substation upgrades and rail electrification to floating LNG facilities and long-duration energy storage. The common thread has been problem-solving, bringing together multidisciplinary teams to deliver technically challenging, high-value projects.

What’s your approach to delivering successful projects?

For me, it comes down to three things: preparation, timing and people.

I’ve seen again and again that spending a bit more time upfront on planning saves significant construction time. Timing is everything. You can have a great design, but if you sequence things badly, costs and schedules blow out. Do the right things at the right time. And none of it works without the right team. Skilled, motivated people make the difference between a project that struggles and one that succeeds.

What are the non-negotiables of delivering major, complex projects?

• Know your client and key stakeholders’ drivers, challenges and needs.
• Start with the end in mind, focus on how the project will be commissioned and operated.
• Plan thoroughly upfront to reduce risk later.
• Sequence activities carefully to avoid cost overruns and delays.
• Build the right team of competent, motivated people. They will be the difference between success and failure.
• Communicate early and often to identify problems and work collaboratively to solve them.

What’s next for ArchTam’s Energy team in Western Australia?

The energy transition in Australia is moving fast. Our unique geography, scale and heavy industry reliance, especially in Western Australia, make it one of the most challenging markets in the world, but also one of the most rewarding to work in.

We can play a key role in helping clients decarbonise while keeping operations running, whether that’s renewables integration, transmission augmentation, or supporting the safe decommissioning of coal assets.

What makes ArchTam stand out?

Our ability to combine technical depth with delivery know-how. We’re not just advising; we’re helping clients make confident investment decisions and then turning those into reality. We also bring insights from across industries, transport, water and environment, which gives us a broader perspective.

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Kerim brings more than 25 years of experience, a calm and grounded leadership style, and an eye for innovation — whether it’s navigating policy shifts or solving first-of-a-kind technical challenges.

What drew you into the renewable energy and storage space?

As a physicist, I appreciate the mathematical beauty of engineering. The Maxwell equations, they’re elegant. That’s what drew me in. It might be a bit of a French thing too, you don’t just look for function, you look for beauty.

I’ve always been interested in the stability of large systems, the kind of technical questions that sit right at the edge of physics and engineering. I earned a doctorate in transient stability of large power systems, essentially, how you model and understand what happens to country size grid in the milliseconds after a disturbance.

Over time, I could see that the biggest questions in the energy space were shifting. It wasn’t just about how to make the grid work better, it was about how to make it work differently. Renewables and storage fundamentally change the behaviour of power systems. So I made a deliberate move into this field… and I haven’t looked back.

What do you think sets Australia apart when it comes to delivering renewable energy projects?

Australia sometimes gets underestimated, but we shouldn’t be. Australian engineers are incredibly adaptable, especially those with backgrounds in mining and infrastructure.

That’s maybe the part that gets misunderstood: we have the capability here to deliver complex systems at large scale. We just don’t always communicate about it.

And the other thing? Scale.

In Australia, someone will say ‘we’re going to build a battery the size of an AFL field’ and no one blinks. In Europe, you’d spend ten years doing pilot projects first. Because of Australia’s mining experience, we’re used to building things fast, at massive scale, and just getting on with it and the issues as they emerge.

That kind of delivery mindset is powerful when you’re trying to lead the world in something.

How does ArchTam play into that strength?

At ArchTam, we have one of the strongest transmission and distribution teams in Australia and New Zealand, which is key, because battery storage isn’t just about the asset itself. It’s about how it integrates with the grid.

Not all the consultants have that deep capability. But we do, and we’ve proven it. Our work on Project EnergyConnect, VNI West and Central West Orana, shows the scale and complexity we can handle when integrating major transmission assets to the grid.

What excites you most about the future of energy?

To me, it’s simple, we’re about to rewrite the operating manual for the power grids.

For 200 years, power systems were built around rotating machines. Now, with renewables and storage, we’re entering the age of power electronics. It’s a completely different way of managing power, at a different time scale, and we get to help write the new rules.

It means rethinking everything, how we model systems, how we ensure stability, how we respond in milliseconds to change.

What advice would you give to young engineers entering the field?

First principles. Always.

You’ve got to be able to trace things back to the physics and the maths. You have to remember equations you studied, even if it was 25 years ago.

So learn it properly. And more importantly, remember it. That foundational knowledge will carry you a long way.

And finally, what do you do to recharge outside of work?

Cycling. I love getting out on the bike, but you won’t find any photos of me on Strava. I am old school and I don’t take my phone. It’s just about being in the moment. Same with engineering, sometimes you’ve got to put the distractions down and just focus on the road ahead.

I started riding in Tunisia, and in Grenoble where cycling is a big part of the culture. One of my favourite classic rides is Grenoble to Gap in the Alps, with decent elevation.

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Pumped storage: Europe’s renewable battery

Europe increasingly relies on wind and solar power, but their intermittent nature brings significant challenges. A proven solution lies in pumped storage hydropower — a mature technology that effectively acts as a massive, rechargeable battery. PSH stores excess renewable energy by pumping water uphill, releasing it to generate electricity exactly when it’s needed, providing reliable, flexible power on demand.

Currently, Europe has around 55 gigawatts of pumped storage capacity. Yet, according to the Outlook, we must more than double this capacity by 2050 to reliably support the EU’s energy transition and achieve net zero (p. 24).

Tackling Europe’s ageing hydropower infrastructure

Europe faces an urgent infrastructure challenge: nearly 70 percent of our pumped storage facilities are over 40 years old. These ageing plants need significant modernisation to remain efficient and safe (p. 22). Upgrading existing facilities offers a practical, cost-effective, and rapid route to increasing renewable storage capacity compared to building entirely new plants.

This need for modernisation is also a chance to introduce digital technologies — such as artificial intelligence, more sophisticated predictive maintenance and improved remote monitoring — to boost operational efficiency and minimise down time.

Barriers to new pumped storage development

Despite strong support from developers and grid operators, Europe’s progress on new pumped storage hydropower projects remains slower than desired. High upfront investment — typically exceeding £1 billion per gigawatt of installed capacity — can discourage potential investors. Complex permitting processes, lengthy project timelines, construction risks, and limited availability of specialist contractors and equipment also hold back development.

The Outlook contrasts Europe’s slower pace with the rapid pumped storage growth seen in countries with centralised economies, such as China. However, positive policy changes are emerging. For instance, the UK’s introduction of a ‘cap and floor’ financial model seeks to strike a balance by giving investors greater certainty, while ensuring affordability for consumers and taxpayers.

Addressing these barriers will be crucial if Europe is to fully harness pumped storage’s potential for a secure, renewable energy future.

Sustainability is non-negotiable

The Outlook emphasises that Europe’s pumped storage expansion must prioritise sustainability. In a region where environmental regulations and public expectations are high, careful planning, rigorous environmental assessments, and meaningful engagement with local communities are crucial.

Digital innovation powering progress

Europe is uniquely placed to lead in hydropower digitalisation. The Outlook underscores the transformative impact of digital solutions on pumped storage facilities (p. 46). Digitalisation doesn’t just make pumped storage operations more efficient — it significantly reduces environmental impacts and operational costs.

The question is pace

Across Europe, the need for grid-scale storage is widely recognised. The challenge isn’t awareness — it’s action. Governments and energy providers understand that without substantial investment in pumped storage, the transition to a low-carbon energy system won’t be achievable or reliable. The real question now is how quickly we can deliver the infrastructure needed to support it.

At ArchTam, we’re committed to supporting this important transition. With our global expertise and local knowledge, combined with a focus on sustainability and innovation, we’re ready to help Europe accelerate the rollout of pumped storage.

Explore the full 2025 World Hydropower Outlook here.

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When Bram moved to Australia in late 2022, he brought with him more than 17 years of experience in one of the world’s fastest-growing renewable energy sectors, offshore wind. Now leading ArchTam’s offshore wind strategy in Australia and New Zealand, Bram is applying that deep global knowledge to help stand up a new industry from the ground up.

What excites you most about contributing to a new industry from the ground up?

When I moved to Australia in late 2022, I brought with me over 17 years of offshore wind experience from Europe, an industry I’ve seen grow from its early days into a cornerstone of the energy transition. Now, leading ArchTam’s offshore wind strategy in Australia and New Zealand, I get to help build something new from the ground up.

This is an incredibly exciting moment. Australia is at the starting line of what could be one of the world’s most important offshore wind markets. Being part of the foundational work and laying the groundwork for future success is deeply rewarding.

What drew you to offshore wind, and how does your background shape the way you work?

I studied aerospace engineering at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. That foundation taught me to think systematically, solve complex problems and collaborate across disciplines. Offshore wind is the perfect match for that mindset, it combines engineering, environment, infrastructure, logistics and economics into one field.

What really drew me in was the complexity, and the sense of purpose.

That sense of purpose has stayed with me throughout my career.

How do you stay motivated on long and complex projects?

The projects I’ve worked on include Galloper in the UK,  Noirmoutier in France and Hollandse Kust West in The Netherlands. Some of these projects can take a decade or more to develop. They’re multibillion-dollar undertakings involving layers of technical and commercial complexity. Each one requires coordination across environmental approvals, stakeholder engagement, transmission planning, port logistics and offshore construction.

What keeps me motivated is working with teams to solve problems. That shared sense of progress, even over the long term, is what I find most rewarding.

What infrastructure is most critical to offshore wind success in Australia?

Australia’s offshore wind sector is still in its infancy, but the opportunity is enormous. With more than 15 projects in 6 federally declared areas, and growing political and regulatory support, the foundation is forming. Now, we need to make sure the enabling infrastructure is there.

At ArchTam, we’re already known for our strength in environmental and planning services, but two areas will be critical in the years ahead: transmission, because you can’t generate power at sea if there’s no way to get it to land, and ports.

Offshore wind can’t happen without suitable ports for construction and maintenance. This is a space where we offer crucial technical and strategic support.

Where do you see the biggest opportunities and challenges for offshore wind in the next five years?

The global momentum is undeniable. We’re seeing offshore wind expand from its European heartlands into new regions, Australia, Taiwan, U.S., Japan, South Korea, and other countries. Each market is different, with its own challenges, but the need for clean, reliable power is the same.

I think we’ll see a new wave of innovation in areas like floating wind, grid integration, and port design. But we also need to be realistic, this is a long-term effort.

What keeps you personally connected to your purpose at work?

I’ve always had a connection to the wind, and when I’m not at work, I’m often out windsurfing. It’s more than just a hobby, it’s a reminder of why I do what I do.

Being out on the water reminds me of the power of nature — and the responsibility we have to harness it sustainably.

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Paul Julian has over 10 years of experience in the transmission and distribution of renewable energy. Originally from New Zealand, Paul has worked on projects around the world, focusing on high voltage substations and, more recently, battery energy storage systems (BESS). Paul is currently an associate director in the Transmission and Distribution team, leading Battery Energy Storage team and distribution workstream.

What inspired you to join the industry?

I grew up in Clyde, a small town in the South Island of New Zealand, which has a large hydroelectric dam capable of producing 432 megawatts of electricity. As a child, the dam left me in awe of its size and impact on our society. This sparked an interest in engineering, specifically electrical engineering, which was further fuelled by my interest in physics and mathematics. Fast forward to university, and I was lucky enough to work at that same dam for a summer as a student engineer, coming full circle. I helped with maintenance of the generators, electrical protection equipment, and electrical design work, gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation of the industry I was studying to enter.

What is your favorite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why?

My favourite ArchTam project recently is the Monk Fryston BESS Owner’s Engineer project. SSE Renewables engaged ArchTam for the owner’s engineer role for the design and construction period of a 320-megawatt/640-megawatt-hour Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). This includes review of all the key equipment, contractor designs and attendance of all the factory acceptance testing (FATs). I am the technical lead for the project, and it is fulfilling to coordinate and apply my own and the wider ArchTam team’s technical expertise to help our client ensure a safe, reliable and compliant installation.

Challenges have included the fact that the project’s tight timeframes often lead to design review meetings being required at short notice, and multiple different documents, specifications and standards making tracking the compliance of the design difficult for the client. We implemented a comprehensive verification and validation register to ensure that everything could be captured in one location.

The site is currently under construction and scheduled to begin operation in 2025. When commissioned, this will likely be one of, if not the largest, BESS in the UK at the time.

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community.

I am lucky enough that my everyday work directly contributes to sustainability. Grid-scale battery energy storage systems are a relatively new addition to the grid which positively impact both the community and the environment by enhancing the reliability of renewable energy sources like wind and solar. These systems store excess energy produced during peak generation times and release it when demand is high or generation is low, reducing the need for fossil fuel-based power plants. This helps lower greenhouse gas emissions, improves air quality, and supports a cleaner, more resilient energy grid. Additionally, by stabilizing energy prices and preventing outages, these systems benefit communities economically while contributing to long-term sustainability efforts.

Share a piece of career advice.

As an engineer in a consultancy, one of the most valuable skills you can develop is effective communication — both with clients and within internal multidisciplinary teams. Our technical expertise is essential but being able to convey complex ideas in a clear, concise way to everyone is what sets apart successful projects from the rest.

Read Paul’s latest article: Ten things every developer needs to know about battery energy storage systems

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The United Kingdom’s journey to net zero is not just a matter of technology and policy; it’s about creating a future that works for everyone.

As we move through this once-in-a-lifetime energy transition, it’s essential that the benefits extend across all sectors of society, ensuring that no one is left behind.

This transition offers a multi-generational opportunity to deliver benefits for everyone and must be approached with a focus on people, places, politics and portfolio. Let’s break down what a people-centric strategy looks like in this context.

Think of communities as partners

One of the core elements of a just transition is ensuring that local communities are not only consulted but empowered to shape their energy future. The energy transition is not about imposing top-down solutions but about working with communities to unlock their potential and deliver local benefits. Communities should be made partners in the process of developing new infrastructure.

This includes building trust and communicating transparently about how renewable energy projects, like wind or solar farms, can bring direct economic and environmental benefits to the people living nearby.

For example, community energy schemes, where residents benefit from lower energy bills as a result of local renewable energy production, have seen growing demand. When these models are clearly communicated, local support for such projects tends to skyrocket. This approach fosters not only public support but ensures long-term sustainability by rooting projects in community interests.

Support workers and future-proof careers

 Another key aspect of a people-centric transition is addressing the workforce needs created by this shift. Traditional industries, such as fossil fuels, are declining, but the growth of renewable energy presents vast new opportunities. We must ensure the benefits of the transition are shared across generations, particularly by creating sustainable, long-term employment.

However, to fully realise this potential, a strong focus on reskilling is required. Programmes that provide training in green technologies, such as offshore wind, nuclear, hydrogen, and battery storage, will be critical to ensuring workers from declining sectors can transition smoothly into new roles. This is not just about job creation — it’s about creating meaningful, future-proof careers in industries that align with the UK’s net zero ambitions.

Make energy affordable and accessible

As the energy landscape evolves, it is crucial to ensure that no one is left behind, particularly when it comes to energy affordability. The transition offers the chance to make energy more accessible and affordable for all. The UK government’s energy policies must reflect this by investing in energy efficiency programs and affordable renewable technologies for low-income households.

Without targeted support, there’s a risk that wealthier households will adopt new technologies like heat pumps and solar panels, while others are left paying higher bills for fossil fuel-based energy.

The Great British Energy policy has emphasised the need to lower costs, but local initiatives, such as grants and subsidies for energy-efficient home upgrades, will also be essential in making this transition equitable.

We must build social license

 Gaining public support — referred to as a “social license to operate” — is essential for the success of renewable energy projects. The energy transition’s success depends on working with local stakeholders, including policymakers and the public. This means ensuring that the political framework around energy is aligned with the needs and expectations of the public.

For instance, the removal of barriers to onshore wind development, where local communities have a say in projects, can help accelerate deployment. By involving local governments and communities in the planning process, the UK can avoid delays, reduce opposition, and ensure smoother execution of projects.

Thinking beyond the immediate

Finally, the energy transition offers the opportunity to create lasting, intergenerational benefits. This demands the need for a balanced approach that delivers benefits across people, places, politics and portfolio.

This means thinking long-term and ensuring that policies enacted today will provide sustainable benefits for decades to come. It’s about not just achieving net zero but doing so in a way that improves quality of life, creates stable jobs, and protects the environment for future generations.

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