In the latest profile in our new series, CE Daily talks to BlueScope's Lloyd Niccol.

Job title?

Building products specialist in the Breakthrough Innovation Team, BlueScope Steel.

What do you do?

My role focuses on the research and development of new building products and systems, and particularly on step-change and breakthrough products.

At the moment I'm working on the technical development and optimisation of building-integrated photovoltaic/thermal roofing systems, where the PV is part of the roof and it generates both electricity and thermal energy.

I'm also doing a bit of work on advanced ventilation systems, looking at mid-rise residential buildings and how we can use our photovoltaic/thermal products and other things to improve ventilation.

Why do you do it?

I like a challenge, which is definitely satisfied by this job.

I also get to stay abreast of cutting-edge sustainable technology and I get to work with a whole range of interesting people, from researchers through to tradespeople, analysts and procurement specialists.

And I get to develop products that have the potential to improve the sustainability of buildings by generating energy and also minimising operational and embodied energy, which is both exciting and meaningful.

The best thing about your job?

Meeting and working with passionate and creative people that strive and aspire to change the way things are done currently.

Also the ability to develop products that have mainstream attraction and therefore have the potential to deliver real environmental change.

And because I am working across so many areas I am continually learning, which is really important to me – it's something I always look for in a job.

The most challenging thing about your job?

It's often really difficult to overcome inertia and ingrained practices, internally and with external companies and suppliers.

But what is great is that when you do overcome inertia and scepticism you get a lot of commitment and buy-in.

Biggest achievement to date?

I guess there are two.

Just prior to joining BlueScope in this role I was the project manager of the winning team in the Solar Decathlon in China [in which teams from around the world competed to design and build a net-zero energy house – with Lloyd's team the first in the competition to demonstrate how to retrofit an existing building, transforming a fibro home into the Illawarra Flame].

Winning that competition is probably my biggest achievement to date.

But within this role at BlueScope it is probably the installation of brand new building-integrated photovoltaic roofing profiles on two real buildings, as part of an ARENA grant.

We've installed a building-integrated photovoltaic-thermal product on a house in Glebe [Sydney] which generates electricity and heating and cooling for the home, which was fantastic.

And the other is a single-skin building-integrated PV roof which we've installed on a house down here in the Illawarra.

It was a real challenge getting all the individual components designed and manufactured and then coordinating all the trades for what was quite a complex project that had not been done anywhere else in Australia.

What tools and strategies do you most rely on to achieve your work goals and make a difference?

I find reframing questions and scenarios from a variety of angles always helps me to consider why I am doing something.

So instead of 'I have to do this' I try to reframe it to 'why am I doing this and how can it be improved?'.

And when I go into meetings and work with other people I like to go in with a frame of mind that everyone is on my side and wants to help, as opposed to going in with the expectation that they will be a cynic or present inertia.

By doing that it helps improve how I am perceived by others and gives a positive body language and energy, which often results in a better outcome.

On top of that, I spent a number of years working as a maintenance and a design engineer in the manufacturing section of BlueScope, so I was working with a lot of tradespeople and operators.

That has allowed me to connect with people at a whole range of levels, from the guys who are doing fundamental research and manufacturing products right through to the people who are installing them.

And I did a finance and engineering undergraduate degree, so that has also helped me to stretch across both the technical and commercial requirements of product development and commercialisation.

Who or what has most influenced your thinking about sustainability and what it means for business?

There are quite a broad range of things and people that have shaped my views.

One of the most important people has been Professor Paul Cooper who is the director of the Sustainable Buildings Research Centre in Wollongong.

He has been a mentor to me and a colleague, and his knowledge and strong set of ethics has helped shape the way I've approached sustainability.

Also Jason Clark, who did a lot of work with us in a course that I did last year at the Centre for Sustainability Leadership.

He is brilliant at breaking down and rethinking problems with a huge amount of creativity, so he has had a big influence on me as well.

What advice would you give to those just starting out?

Be as creative as possible. Make your own opportunities and jump on them when they arise. Be kind to yourself and spend time in reflection to make sure that what you are doing is what you want to be doing and has a bit of a higher purpose.

And don't wait for others. Take action, don't wait for external inspiration, just take action and get things done and people and ideas will find you. Dream big, inspire yourself, but set meaningful and achievable goals.

What role does business have in moving society to a sustainable footing?

Our society unfortunately seems to lend more credibility to our businesses than it does our scientists.

I think if businesses can step up and acknowledge and actively take steps to improve sustainability then they can be an enormous catalyst for change.

They can reach a lot of people directly – their employees, shareholders and suppliers – but also the wider public, through their general media and public relations.

I guess there is also the ability for companies to inspire aspiration in our communities. Not self-centred aspiration, but aspiration for a sustainable system by dreaming and then delivering big change. So I think there is quite a big role there.

See CE Daily's previous profile, with Brookfield Multiplex sustainability manager Lauren Haas, here.

If you would like to suggest a carbon or environmental professional to profile for our 'rising stars' series, contact murray@footprintnews.com.au.