Explore the Thinking
Every engineering project begins with a question.
The two publications below explore different parts of the same journey.
The first examines the thinking that allows engineering opportunities to emerge.
The second follows one engineering question as it gradually revealed opportunities that extended far beyond its original objective.
Together they explain not only the engineering itself, but the process through which those ideas evolved.
Whether your interest is engineering, research, commercialisation or long-term infrastructure, these publications are intended to encourage new ways of looking at familiar problems.
Where Engineering Begins
The Thinking Behind the Engineering
What to expect
This book explores the thinking behind engineering rather than the engineering itself. It discusses observation, curiosity, problem solving and the process through which practical ideas gradually emerge.
Recommended for
Engineers
Students
Universities
Designers
Inventors
Anyone interested in innovation and problem solving
Questions That Built BDEC
How One Engineering Question Became Many Opportunities
What to expect
Most engineering books explain solutions. This one explores how a single engineering question gradually revealed opportunities that were never part of the original objective.
Rather than presenting isolated concepts, it demonstrates how each engineering question naturally revealed another.
Recommended for
Engineers
Universities and researchers
Renewable energy companies
Utilities
Infrastructure owners
Government agencies
Strategic investors
Philanthropic organisations
The Inventor Behind the Thinking
Every engineering paper on this website began with a practical question rather than a predetermined solution. The ideas presented here are not theoretical exercises; they are the result of decades spent designing, building and testing products for commercial application.
The same approach that led to numerous engineering products across multiple industries is now being applied to renewable energy through the Bi-Directional Energy Converter (BDEC).
From Questions to Working Prototypes
Many inventors specialise in a single field.
Peter O'Brien's career has followed a different path.
Beginning in sculpture and theatrical construction, his early career required ideas to become physical reality—often under demanding production schedules. That experience developed an ability to visualise three-dimensional forms, simplify complex structures and manufacture practical solutions.
Those same skills later evolved through engineering, manufacturing and international business, eventually leading to more than three decades operating Great Engineering Pty Ltd and, more recently, Rockgrove Innovations.
Today, every concept continues to follow the same path:
Question.
Understand.
Design.
Prototype.
Test.
Refine.
Communicate.
Demonstrated Capability
For more than four decades, Peter O'Brien has consistently transformed ideas into practical engineering solutions.
The following milestones illustrate the progression from creative design and manufacturing through to international business and the development of renewable energy technologies.
One of 26 working prototypes completed between 2024 and 2026
2026 — Bi-Directional Energy Conversion (BDEC)
The culmination of more than forty years of product development experience.
During 2026, Peter personally completed every stage of development for the Bi-Directional Energy Converter (BDEC), including:
✓ Matured the BDEC concept into a commercially credible renewable energy platform.
✓ Designed and manufactured multiple working prototypes.
✓ Produced engineering demonstration videos.
✓ Designed and developed the Rockgrove Innovations website.
✓ Authored the BDEC White Paper.
✓ Authored the Peer Review Paper.
✓ Prepared the Executive Overview.
✓ Prepared the Executive Summary.
✓ Produced a working prototype ready for tank testing.
✓ Completed all concept development, CAD design, prototyping, testing, documentation and intellectual property preparation personally, without employees.
2025–2026 — Accelerated Innovation
This period represents the most productive phase of Peter O'Brien's career as an independent inventor.
Between January 2024 and January 2026, Peter personally conceived, engineered, documented and demonstrated 26 new products and inventions, progressing each from concept through to working prototype.
This work was completed entirely in-house without employees and included:
✓ Renewable Energy
✓ Plumbing
✓ Electrical
✓ Medical
✓ Agriculture
✓ Manufacturing
✓ Infrastructure
✓ Industrial Safety
Every project followed the same development process:
Question → Understand → Design → Prototype → Test → Refine → Communicate
During this period Peter also completed the full engineering and commercial documentation for the Bi-Directional Energy Converter (BDEC), including:
• BDEC White Paper
• Peer Review Paper
• Executive Overview
• Executive Summary
• Engineering website
• Demonstration videos
• Multiple working prototypes
• Tank-testing prototype
2023 — Expanding Technical Capability
Recognising that faster innovation required greater independence, Peter invested significant time in mastering new technologies to enable complete in-house product development.
During this period he independently developed proficiency in:
• SolidWorks Professional
• Industrial 3D Printing
• Practical Electronics
• Basic Programming
These additional capabilities eliminated much of the reliance on external suppliers and significantly accelerated prototype development.
2022 — Building the Research & Development Facility
Designed and constructed a dedicated Research and Development workshop specifically for invention, engineering development and prototype manufacture.
The facility now supports every stage of Rockgrove Innovations' development process, from concept through to functional prototype.
2021 — Great Engineering Pty Ltd
After more than thirty years of ownership, Peter sold Great Engineering Pty Ltd.
Throughout this period he was personally responsible for:
• Product Development
• Mechanical Design
• Manufacturing
• International Sales
• Export Development
• Distributor Networks
• CAD Design
• CRM Development
1990–2021 — International Engineering & Manufacturing
For more than three decades Peter travelled extensively throughout Europe, North America and Asia supporting distributors, developing export markets and presenting new products.
Typically attending around eleven international trade exhibitions each year, he combined customer support with ongoing market development and product introduction.
Major international clients included organisations such as:
• Chivas Regal Whisky
• Henkel Corporation
2015 — International Recognition
Invited to the Epson Innovation & Design Centre in central Japan to demonstrate an electronic interface that enabled Epson printers to operate in parallel with an automated label applicator.
The invitation recognised Peter's practical approach to solving complex engineering problems and his ability to develop innovative working solutions.
Foundations of an Inventor
Long before engineering became the focus of his career, Peter O'Brien was developing the skills that would later define his approach to innovation.
After graduating in Sculpture, Peter joined the Melbourne Theatre Company as a prop maker, where every project demanded practical creativity, precision and the ability to transform ideas into convincing physical reality within demanding production schedules.
His work soon extended beyond the Melbourne Theatre Company into independent theatre productions, including production design for La Mama Theatre, while also contributing to film and television commercial productions.
Over time, Peter became recognised within the Australian film and theatre industry as one of the country's leading prop makers, producing highly detailed physical objects for productions where authenticity, engineering and craftsmanship were equally important.
This period developed an ability that remains central to his engineering work today:
The ability to visualise an idea, understand how it should function, and then build it.
Intellectual Property
Peter's commitment to innovation is reflected in an expanding portfolio of intellectual property developed over more than three decades.
First Patent awarded in 1992
Multiple Patents
Multiple Design Registrations
Multiple Trade Marks
Continuing development of new technologies through Rockgrove Innovations Pty Ltd
Rather than pursuing invention for its own sake, each project has been developed with commercial implementation as the primary objective.