Kathryn Ward

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT KATHRYN WARD

I am a Specialist Protection and Automation Consultant Engineer with over 43 years in the HV power systems industry. I have extensive design experience in application of all four generations of protection relays, ranging from analogue devices to the latest generation 2 IEDs (Intelligent Electronic Devices). One of my key passions is working collaboratively with clients to scope and design protection scheme solutions for each of their needs and budgets. My experience ranges from designing simple to innovative complex protection schemes for generation, transmission and distribution system assess including Flexible Alternating Current Transmission System (FACTS) equipment such as shunt capacitors and series reactors. I believe in \"owning\" every project I am involved in and always commit to what I say I will deliver, to both my Clients and my Beca colleagues. One of my other key passions is to \"give back\" to the industry that trained me. For over ten years I have co-lectured the final undergraduate year Power Systems Protection course for the Electrical and Electronic Engineering Department at the University of Canterbury. I also have assisted the Christchurch ARA Institute in providing training for one of their courses in my protection field of expertise and within our Beca Protection and Automation Team based in New Zealand and Australia. At the end of 2022 I was made a Fellow of Engineering NZ, one of the four ladies who gained this recognition in 2022 along with over 30 men. Going forward, I will be trying to improve the gender balance in the numbers of recognised engineers in New Zealand, with a focus on specialist technical fields.