Women in-the-know say Queensland is the place to be for jobs in renewables

In our Women in Renewables series, we share the career highlights of Queensland women playing an integral role in establishing the state as a green energy powerhouse and opening the doors to jobs for younger women.

Jess Townsend, Managing Director and owner of rooftop solar retailer and installer Elevate Solar hopes to do more than just capitalise on Queensland’s glowing track record for the uptake of solar power. She’s hoping the business can help make the world a better place for future generations, too.

Serious entrepreneurs, Jess and her husband Troy Townsend have built and sold businesses in the renewable and technology industries for most of their working lives, including a deal that involved venturer capitalists from the US.

This time around, Jess says they are planning to hold on to Elevate, which they purchased in mid-2021.

“We want to ensure this business continues to operate ethically and it’s important for us to partner with others, particularly in the retail sector, with the same moral code.

“I see such a bright future for this business; we are building it to help create a better place for future generations and as an ethical workplace for our kids to step into.

“We think Queensland is the best place to be for jobs and opportunities in the renewable sector, particularly in solar given we have the highest uptake in the country,” Jess said.

Also backing Queensland as the top spot for renewables is Felicity Underhill, East Australia and NZ Director with Fortescue Future Industries (FFI), Fortescue Metal’s renewable energy arm.

FFI is building a hydrogen electrolyser and advanced manufacturing plant in Gladstone that the company says could double  the world’s hydrogen production.

“Queensland is one of the best places in the world to be for hydrogen production and there are so many varieties of jobs for women right here and right now,” she says.

Felicity says she set out early in her career to acquire real life business and commercial experience so that she could eventually and credibly join “the side of the angels”.

“I always wanted to change the world,” she says.

Felicity moved to FFI from Origin Energy, where she was General Manager Future Fuels, a role that included investigating the potential for hydrogen and other fuels in the company’s future energy mix. Prior to this she worked for many years with Shell, travelling across the globe to manage the company’s international joint ventures.

“I started out with a degree in in politics and then completed my Masters in International Relations and Conflict Resolution in Brussels. I’m a middle child and conflict resolution is my thing! I clicked very early on that pretty much all conflict is around access to resources. Working out how to harness renewable resources could be a game changer,” she said.

Felicity hopes is to inspire young women to take up a career in Queensland’s hydrogen sector, especially, she says, those like herself who are committed to affecting change.

Astrid Brorman, a junior Mechanical Engineer with leading hydrogen consultancy H2H Energy is one such bright spark -  she is a recent engineering graduate with a minor in environmental science.

Astrid secured an internship with the firm while at university, as a hydrogen specialist supporting clients on their hydrogen journey from start to finish.

Astrid has worked on hydrogen refuelling projects in New Zealand and Australia, and says the role was a natural fit for her given her qualification in engineering and environmental science.

“What I love about my role is that I am involved in every aspect from the ground up. I would say to other young women considering a role in the state’s clean energy movement, go for it! The opportunities are endless.”

For more information about Women working in the renewable energy industry check out Women in Renewables | Clean Energy Council.

This is the third part of our series on Women in Renewables. You can view part one and part two.