​PROFILE

Dr Michael Znidarich was born on August 22, 1950 in Croatia. He graduated with an Associate Diploma of Engineering (Electrical) in 1993 and Associate Diploma of Engineering (Mechanical) in 1995, both from TAFE in Perth, Western Australia.  He received his BTech (Electrical), MTech (Engineering and Management) and ME (Electrical) degrees from Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia in 1999, 2001 and 2003 respectively.  In 2008 he completed his Ph.D. degree from University of Western Australia related to design of large synchronous electrical machines.  He holds Six Sigma Green Belt certification.

 

Michael completed his electrical apprenticeship in Croatia in 1968.  Since emigrating to Australia in the period between 1976 - 2013 he was with GE Energy Services Australia (GEESA), (previously F.R. Tulk & Co, and TGE Energy Services), based in Perth, Western Australia.  In the early 1980’s he was instrumental in the establishment and development of a world class high voltage coil and bar manufacturing facility regarded by its clients as amongst the best in the world.  During 33 years of operation, more than 150 hi-tech coil and bar windings were produced for large electrical machines, with the enviable record of never failing the most stringent type tests and never having a single coil failure during installation of more than 50 hydro generator and turbo generator windings.   During the same period Michael made significant contributions to Australian engineering by researching and developing locally based engineering knowledge and capabilities (previously not available in Australia), for full electromagnetic and thermal analysis of large electrical machine design and performance, required to carry out re-design, upgrades and uprates by locally based Australian engineering resources.  This knowledge was tested and successfully applied on numerous large electrical machine upgrade and uprate projects, both in Australasian region and oversees (particularly in USA).

 

​EXPERIENCE AND STRENGHTS

• Over 40 years of experience with design, manufacturing, testing and assessment of HV windings for large electrical machines (large motors, hydro, and turbo);

• In depth experience with design, upgrades and uprates of large synchronous machines, including performance and parameter testing;

• In depth experience with refurbishment, refurbishment specifications, and maintenance of large electrical machines.  Professional and accurate report presentation;

• Extensive technical, general management, and project management competence, experience and formal qualifications;

• Electrical and mechanical engineering experience including engineering management, project management, engineering design (electrical and mechanical), and engineering R&D;

• Early trade/craft background with many years of practical “hands-on” experience, combined with highest academic qualifications and many years of applied cutting edge engineering experience and extensive CAD and 3D solid modelling experience.  Produced real life designs are manufacturable and perform their function.  An engineer that can engine-ere.

• Leadership by authority and example, motivating ability.