Vanya Smythe

Vanya Smythe is a Senior Associate at Ethos Power Associates with extensive experience in energy infrastructure projects across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. His expertise spans battery energy storage systems, project engineering, and technical training, complemented by academic contributions in professional ethics. Vanya brings 25+ years of engineering leadership to global projects, with specialized knowledge in power systems and renewable energy integration.

ABB Ltd Global Projects Team contribution

Vanya was a founding member of the ABB Global Projects Team, where he helped prepare bids and deliver projects to tier-1 customers in LNG, mining and heavy industrial sectors. He also delivered specialized technical training and courses on Negotiation Principles and Practices for Projects to ABB engineering teams in Manila, Philippines and Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.

Ethos Power Associates leadership

Currently serving as a Senior Associate at Ethos Power Associates, Vanya holds a key technical expert position within this collective of renewable energy professionals. His responsibilities include: 

  • Battery systems expertise: Specializing in Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) with particular knowledge of LiFePO4 technology compared to VRLA and NiCd alternatives
  • Technical training development: Creating and delivering specialized training programs for engineering teams on power systems operation and maintenance
  • Project engineering: Providing engineering leadership for renewable energy and infrastructure projects
  • Business development: Contributing to client acquisition and relationship management
  • Technical versatility across both fossil fuel and renewable energy sectors, with increasing focus on sustainable power solutions

Studies

  • New Zealand Certificate in Engineering, Electrical (Stage 3), Auckland Technical Institute 
  • Technician's Certificate in Electronics, Auckland Technical Institute 
  • Bachelor of Education, University of Auckland 
  • Certificate III in Business Management, North Sydney College of TAFE 
  • Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment, North Sydney College of TAFE 
  • GHG Accounting for Renewable Energy Projects certification, GHG Management Institute 
  • Negotiation Principles and Practices for Projects, ABB Australia Ltd 
  • Foundations of Psychosynthesis Coaching, Psychosynthesis Coaching UK Ltd 

Major infrastructure projects

Vanya has managed complex technical aspects of several international energy infrastructure projects:

  • Gladstone Liquid Natural Gas (Stages 1 & 2, Queensland): Served as Design Engineer for the standby DC power systems for this major Australian LNG project
  • Asia Pacific LNG Project (APLNG, Queensland): Worked as Project Engineer on this $14 billion gas development that included coal seam gas fields and a two-train LNG facility 
  • Queensland Curtis LNG Project (QCLNG, Queensland): Contributed design engineering to this pioneering project converting coal seam gas to LNG 
  • Exxon Mobil Longford Gas Conditioning Plant (Victoria): Led project engineering of the DC power systems in exposive environments as part of the $5.5 billion Kipper Tuna Turrum development 
  • Kuwait National Petroleum Corporation Clean Fuels Project (Kuwait): Lead estimator for numerous NiCad batteries and chargers for this major refinery upgrade

Beyond traditional energy infrastructure, Vanya has applied his expertise to environmental and sustainable projects:

  • UN Environment Programme consulting: Worked in the Cook Islands and Kiribati to evaluate renewable energy programs and quantify emissions reductions
  • Airservices Australia: Developed technical training on standby DC power systems supporting critical landing radar infrastructure across Australian airports 

Technical expertise and methodologies

Vanya's engineering capabilities are particularly strong in:

  • Power systems design and integration: Specialized knowledge of battery technologies, DC power systems, and their implementation in critical infrastructure Siemens-energy + 6
  • LNG and natural gas processing: Design experience with gas compression, conditioning, and transmission pipeline systems Bechtel + 5
  • Technical documentation and specifications: Creation of detailed engineering requirements for complex projects 
  • Cross-disciplinary knowledge spanning electrical systems, project management, and environmental assessment 

His project management approach incorporates:

  • Tendering and contract management: Preparation and oversight of technical tenders for major infrastructure 
  • Stakeholder engagement: Working effectively with government entities, local utilities, and international organizations 
  • Technical training systems: Structured approaches to knowledge transfer and capacity building 
  • Risk assessment and mitigation: Systematic identification and management of project challenges

Languages

  • English
  • French

Publications

  • Vanya has published significant works on professional ethics that demonstrate his commitment to responsible engineering practice:

    • "Codes of Ethics: Making codes meaningful and effective" (2012): A book chapter in "Applied Ethics: Strengthening Ethical Practices" (Tilde University Press) analyzing what makes organizational ethics codes effective ResearchGate + 2
    • "Theories on Teaching & Training in Ethics" (2008): Co-authored with Peter Bowden, this peer-reviewed journal article examines approaches to ethics education in university and workplace settings ResearchGate + 2
    • "Ethics, good governance and whistleblowing": A book chapter in "Contemporary Issues in International Corporate Governance" ResearchGate

    His academic work has received 63-96 citations according to academic profiles, GoogleResearchGate indicating significant impact in the field of applied ethics. ResearchGate

Technical expertise and methodologies

Vanya's engineering capabilities are particularly strong in:

  • Power systems design and integration: Specialized knowledge of battery technologies, DC power systems, and their implementation in critical infrastructure Siemens-energy + 6
  • Technical documentation and specifications: Creation of detailed engineering requirements for complex projects 
  • Cross-disciplinary knowledge spanning electrical systems, project management, and environmental assessment 

His project management approach incorporates:

  • Tendering and contract management: Preparation and oversight of technical tenders for major infrastructure 
  • Stakeholder engagement: Working effectively with government entities, local utilities, and international organizations 
  • Technical training systems: Structured approaches to knowledge transfer and capacity building
  • Risk assessment and mitigation: Systematic identification and management of project challenges