The practical, theoretical and community achievements of 26-year-old professional electrical engineer Blake Harvey have been rewarded by his selection as Engineers Australia's Graduate Electrical Power Engineer of the Year 2009.

The Rockhampton resident graduated from CQUniversity in 2005 with a first-class honours degree.

Blake Harvey - proud award winner

In announcing the award, the Chair of Engineers Australia's Electrical College Board, Albert Koenig, said that in less than 6 years since graduating, Blake Harvey has well and truly established his credentials as an outstanding achiever, and also provided a role-model for others in the engineering profession, as well as those contemplating an engineering career.

"The combination of Blake's excellent professional skills and his enthusiasm for taking on challenging issues, has resulted in him delivering high-level competence in the workplace, and despite his young age, already contributing significantly to knowledge within the power generation field through his technical papers and presentations."

Since commencing his career with electricity utility Ergon Energy, Blake's significant achievements have included the development of software to assess flicker from fluctuating loads, the development of embedded generation systems and network asset management plans for central Queensland, plus detailed modeling and technical analysis of three-phase low voltage regulator trials.

Through the sponsorship of the award by NHP Electrical Engineering products Pty Ltd, Blake will further develop his skills and experience through an all-expenses-paid overseas trip to an electrical fair or conference, and visits to major international electrical product manufacturers plants.

He is closely involved with his professional organisation Engineers Australia as chairman of the local Rockhampton group, and tops that up with other activities, including as a part-time lecturer in engineering design at CQUniversity.

Blake's contributions also go well beyond Australia. He was as co-founder of the Central Queensland chapter of Engineers Without Borders, and he has begun working with Rural Integrated Development Services in Nepal, providing technical assistance to aid the development of rural electrification to villages in the Himalayas.

Blake is a young engineer who is passionate about his work and the future and says," I wish to champion the development and expansion of electrical power engineering through the trial and adoption of alternative solutions, techniques and technologies, and to expand the boundaries of the industry as a whole.

"I feel that as power engineers, we do have the opportunity to make significant, positive impacts on society and it is my goal and my responsibility to do this," Blake said.