Charting a course by inspiring innovative energy solutions
A young mechanical engineering graduate, Daniel set out on a professional journey focussed entirely on energy transition and found his way into Shell where he has the opportunities to develop solutions that contribute to a net-zero future. He speaks about his journey of learning, growth, recognition, and innovation at Shell and how it helps his passion for shaping the energy future.
A mechanical engineering graduate, Daniel has dedicatedly worked on clean energy projects since he started his professional journey in 2019 as a Project Engineer with a global engineering company. Although he joined Shell as an EPCM (Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management) Engineer in 2022, he started his work on sustainability and new energy solutions when he was on secondment to Shell in Malaysia.
At Shell, Daniel has built a strong track record, evident in the six awards he earned within a year for his work on key sustainability and energy transition projects such as Solar PV System Deployment across close to 300 Mobility stations, Malaysia’s First Cross Border High Performance Charging Network and Green Building project.
He believes sustainability extends beyond new energy assets and innovations, emphasising efficient methods and materials for existing resources. And sustainability, he says, goes beyond large, new energy assets and innovations. “It’s also about looking into more sustainable methods and materials to make existing assets, like our retail stations, more efficient,” he says, “This could be something as simple as replacing conventional clay bricks with recycled waste materials that are more energy efficient to produce or deploying solar panels for clean source of electricity or even harvesting rainwater for on-site toilets reducing the need for portable water. It all adds up.”
Daniel attributes a lot of his achievements to Shell's culture that fosters innovation and a collaborative environment. At the core of this culture, he says, is the environment that Shell creates where people have opportunity to collaborate and learn from a diverse and experienced group of professionals, each with their own strengths and all willing to share their knowledge and support one another. “I’ve never felt shut off or unheard. Even senior leaders and those in management encourage you to share your thoughts and put good ideas into action.”
That aside, he also highlights the plethora of tools, certification courses and hands-on learning opportunities that Shell offers its employees to learn and grow. “I have often had conversations with my line manager where I have been encouraged to take courses or certifications such as Green Building Index Facilitator, Mobility Technical Authority that might benefit me in both my current and future roles. At Shell, I feel like I have the freedom, resources and flexibility to pursue learning.”
His experience of working with Shell while on secondment, he says, was the reason for him to formally switch to the organisation. “Shell has the intent, the resources and the capabilities to help the world transition to energy sources of the future,” he says. “And while working as a consultant on multiple, large-scale sustainability projects for Shell, I saw how the organisation empowers people to innovate, learn and excel in what they do.”
The freedom at Shell is also what empowers Daniel to pursue the unknown and take calculated risks. “Some of the projects I manage are things we have never done before. There is often no reference and past learnings to lean on. That uncertainty is exhilarating and what often leads to innovation,” he says.
A recent project that has significantly contributed to Daniel’s growth is the high-performance electric vehicle charging network operationalised in 2022, spanning 741 kilometres along the North-South Expressway that connects Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.
Daniel believes that it’s through projects like these that truly enable communities to confidently transition to clean energy solutions. “To encourage energy transition and a higher adoption of electric mobility, people will need to feel assured of never being out of driving range and getting easy access to energy,” he says. “This was a big first step in that direction and the expansion of the network in the coming years will definitely accelerate the energy transition in the transportation sector.”
This vision and commitment towards energy transition along with the recognition and growth opportunities to learn help Daniel power his progress and keep him motivated to play his part in developing energy solutions of the future. “It’s the right sector and the right organisation if you are passionate about sustainability,” he concludes.