Sarel Steinauer

Sarel is an Australian New Colombo Plan Scholar and electrical and electronic engineering undergraduate at Curtin University, Perth, Australia. He is on a two-month internship at PCREEE analysing the on and off-grid renewable energy systems operating in the Pacific Islands. 

Only a few days into his internship (starting 20 January, 2020) he had the extraordinary opportunity to join Department of Energy staff visiting the Vava’u islands to assess damage to solar-powered infrastructure following Cyclone Tino. The visit allowed a stop at the Ha’apai islands on the way. 

Sarel has already completed an exchange in China, living in three different cities, and will continue his scholarship with another internship elsewhere in the region following his time in Tonga. He is well on his way to a future career in sustainable energy.