Young innovator on the path to net zero

Growing up in the small town of Aberdeen in the Upper Hunter region of New South Wales, Seth Fitzgerald always had a passion for building things. As he got older, that interest grew into something bigger – a fascination with science, technology and future of renewable energy. 

At just 17, Seth discovered a valuable resource right on his doorstep that would help turn his ideas into something real: The Melt Modern Manufacturing Centre nearby in Muswellbrook. 

Prototyping a renewable future

The Melt supports innovators to develop and scale hardware and renewable technologies, enabling new solutions to be piloted in real-world environments. It also inspires local students by plugging them into the innovation and expertise powering the Hunter’s energy transformation. 

'When I was in Year 11, I went to an open day at The Melt – people from heaps of different engineering and mining companies were there,' says Seth. 

In Year 12, he decided to return and ask for help with his science extension project. 

'I wanted a decent sized challenge,' says Seth, who attended St Joseph’s Catholic College in Aberdeen. 'I decided to build a wind turbine, and I wanted to make it a bit different.'

With insights, design advice and guidance from the Melt’s technical specialists, Seth was able to use state of the art tools and 3D technologies to bring his prototype to life, learning new skills and exploring renewable technology innovation in the process. 

'I think renewable energy is something we need to keep investing our time in – there is room for more innovation,' says Seth, whose family has had connections with the local mining industry for generations. 

'I wanted to be a part of that and test some new designs. So that's why I chose to design a wind turbine with a vertical axis instead of a conventional horizontal axis. Places like The Melt are great because people can go there with their renewable energy ideas – they might be completely different from existing designs, or a simple alteration – and they can get it prototyped and see their ideas come to life.'

Engineering a career in innovation

Now 18, Seth has commenced a Mechatronics Engineering degree at the University of Newcastle, studying modern technologies with applications ranging from the control of robots and the optimisation of modern vehicles to appliance design and biomechanics. 

After graduating, he envisions returning to the Hunter to establish his own engineering business. 

'I’d love to move back and work in the region, especially with the transition to renewable energy. It’s important that there is employment for people … I’d love to own a business and have jobs for people,' he says.

When thinking about what the future holds for Seth, renewable energy is shaping his plans. 

'I want to work in manufacturing, maybe in renewable energy infrastructure like wind turbine blades. While I am still exploring where my degree will lead, I know this is the direction I want to move in – renewable energy is the future.'

With young innovators like Seth leading the way, the Hunter region is not only preparing for a renewable future, it's helping to shape it.