Getting to Know Lungten, Our Electrical Engineer

Being an Electrical Engineer opens the door to diverse experiences and opportunities for growth, both technically and personally. Meet Lungten, one of our valued Electrical Engineers at Divergent Engineering, who is always ready to take on new challenges.

Could you tell us a bit about your educational background and how it prepared you for a career in Electrical Engineering? 

I grew up in Bhutan and completed my Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from JNTU Anantapur, India (2014–2018), where I built a strong foundation in power systems, electrical machines, and Protection Engineering.

After graduation, I began my professional journey as an Assistant Engineer at the 720 MW Mangdechu Hydroelectric Project in Bhutan. Over three and a half years, I gained valuable experience in power generation, forecasting demand, periodic and annual maintenance of generators/units and protection systems, which deepened my passion for the power sector.

In pursuit of further growth and international exposure, I moved to Australia to complete my Master of Electrical Engineering at Murdoch University, which I successfully finished in July 2025. During this time, I enhanced my technical skills in renewable energy integration, HV/LV design and simulation tools such as DIgSILENT PowerFactory, ETAP, MATLAB, HOMER, and PSCAD.

What motivated you to become an electrical engineer, and what aspects of the field are you most passionate about?  

Growing up in Bhutan, I was inspired by the country’s ongoing hydropower projects, which are central to national development and clean energy generation. Witnessing how electricity powers homes, industries and daily life made me realise that electricity is the backbone of modern society. I am particularly passionate about power systems analysis, protection system coordination and renewable energy integration.

Could you highlight one or two projects that you found particularly interesting or rewarding during your time at Divergent Engineering?

I found conducting a power system analysis for a gold mine in Kalgoorlie particularly interesting. I worked on arc flash studies and protection coordination. Using ETAP, I modeled the entire power system to identify potential fault levels, determine safe working distances and ensure the protection devices were coordinated correctly. This project was especially rewarding because it allowed me to combine theoretical knowledge with practical system safety requirements, aligned with Australian Standards, ensuring the plant operates reliably and safely.

Another notable project was relay functionality testing for a Nickel Mine. During this project, I conducted on-site functional testing of protection relays. I verified that the relays would operate correctly under fault conditions, in line with the protection schemes. This involved using the Omicron CPC 100 to conduct secondary injection, simulate different scenarios and check relay responses. The project was an excellent opportunity to deepen my understanding of how protection devices work in real systems and the critical role they play in preventing equipment damage and maintaining system stability.

What aspects of Electrical Engineering are you most excited about?

I am particularly excited about protection testing and coordination, and the integration of renewable energy into power systems. The two areas allow me to work at the intersection of system safety, reliability, and sustainable innovation, which is what excites me most about the future of Electrical Engineering.

Protection testing and coordination is crucial for ensuring the safety and reliability of electrical networks. I am interested in analysing and verifying protection schemes to make sure that, in the event of a fault, the correct devices operate promptly to isolate the issue without affecting the rest of the system. This not only prevents equipment damage but also ensures minimal disruption to power supply.

The integration of renewable energy presents a fascinating challenge. With the increasing adoption of solar, wind, and energy storage, power systems are becoming more dynamic and complex. I’m passionate about finding ways to seamlessly integrate these resources, optimise system performance, and support the transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy networks.

Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring Electrical Engineers who are just starting their careers in the field? 

My advice to aspiring Electrical Engineers would be to build a strong foundation in the fundamentals of power systems, electrical machines, and control system engineering, as these are essential throughout your career. Embracing practical experience such as internships, projects, and hands-on work are invaluable for understanding how theory applies in real-world systems. I would also encourage young engineers to learn modern tools and software like ETAP and DIgSILENT, as they are widely used in the industry for modelling, analysis, and design.

Finally, stay curious and adaptable, because the field of Electrical Engineering is constantly evolving with innovations in renewable energy, smart grids, and automation. Combining technical knowledge with continuous learning will help you make a meaningful impact in this exciting and ever-changing field.