One leading Australian utility has been sending a floating robot into its sewers to collect data, but it can do a lot more than that – the RACER (Rapid Assessment Condition Evaluation Robot) has been developed to inspect and condition assess large traversable sewers, promising a new age of asset management for the utility. Sydney Water Wastewater Networks Program Lead [...]
Recent research from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney has shown that climate change and urbanisation could prove a threat to groundwater drinking water quality. The research examined the largest global dataset of 9,404 published and unpublished groundwater dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations from aquifers in 32 countries across six continents. DOC is a naturally occurring component of [...]
In Western Australia, Western Power connects more than two million customers over an area larger than the United Kingdom. The South West Interconnected Network (SWIN) is one of the world’s largest standalone grids and spans around 255,000 square kilometres, from Kalbarri in the north to Bremer Bay on the south coast and inland to Kalgoorlie. Thermal image captured by the [...]
SA Water’s Crystal Brook-based maintenance team has turned to Bluetooth technology to improve water services for its regional customers. The innovative technology, part of a South Australian-first process, connects with a hands-free extendable arm to remotely open and shut water main valves through a process known as ‘exercising’ – which is vital in making sure the drinking water supply network [...]
The rapid evolution and maturity of technology is creating diverse opportunities for utilities to embrace emerging devices and systems which improve operational efficiency, customer experience and enable greater safety outcomes. With a long history of innovation, SA Water has a focus on fostering and developing new applications of technology for the benefit of its customers and communities. The South Australian [...]
2019 was a huge year for the Australian asset management space. Upgrades and maintenance projects are underway all over the country; digital technologies are driving change across multiple sectors; and the effects of climate change are placing greater demand on asset managers to develop comprehensive resilience strategies for our utilites. Here, we take a look at some of the biggest [...]
An independent inquiry will be held following the release of technical reports which detail the structural and stability issues of Paradise Dam. Queensland’s Natural Resources Minister, Dr Anthony Lynham, announced that former Supreme Court judge John Byrne AO would head a transparent, fully-independent inquiry into the dam’s structural and stability issues. “The government has been listening to the Bundaberg community,” [...]
The Queensland Government has announced that work will begin to investigate a new water supply pipeline for drought-stricken Warwick and surrounding communities. Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, said a potential new pipeline to deliver Wivenhoe Dam water to Warwick would be among options considered as part of a $1 million feasibility study into contingency water supply options, to be completed in [...]
A water utility has been recognised for its work in the removal of all Public Health Alerts on drinking water at the Australian Water Association's Tasmanian awards presentation dinner in Hobart on Thursday 21 November 2019. TasWater has taken out the Infrastructure Project Innovation Award. The prize acknowledges the level of innovation in the development of infrastructure which enabled TasWater [...]
The rebuild of a critical Central Queensland electricity substation will boost the region, with more than 100 jobs supported as part of the rebuild. Work has begun on rebuilding Bouldercombe Substation, which supplies electricity to Rockhampton and the wider Central Queensland region. The four-year project will support 112 jobs and involve the replacement of all primary equipment such as circuit [...]
The second stage of the $4.8 million upgrade to Heathcote Water Treatment Plant is progressing, with the project due to be completed in early 2020. Coliban Water’s Manager Infrastructure, Corey Bourne, said the second phase includes the installation of a permanent Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC) dosing system, which provides a means of managing taste and odour issues in the raw [...]
Monitoring what wildlife species are living in Melbourne’s waterways has become easier, safer and more reliable, with an innovative – and animal-friendly – approach implemented by Melbourne Water. Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a relatively new technology that eliminates the need to catch, see or hear animals in a waterway, because the trace DNA in a simple sample of water can [...]
The collapse of Lismore City Council’s 100-year-old sewer line needed more than just a relining repair. It required an innovative approach to overcome the serious challenges concurrent with a 5m-deep sewer situated in one of Lismore’s narrowest laneways. Nestled in the heart of Lismore, down the confined alleyway of Larkin Lane, Lismore City Council’s wastewater asset was in desperate need [...]
SENSEI is an advanced in-situ sensor system that gives mining operators and water managers real-time data to monitor and manage groundwater impacts efficiently and faster than ever before. Replacing labour-intensive manual monitoring techniques, SENSEI is a multi-sensor system capable of simultaneously collecting data on pH, reduction potential, temperature and conductivity. CSIRO Research Leader, Dr Kathie McGregor, said the SENSEI system [...]
Smart metering technology has been introduced in Bannockburn, with residents among the first in Logan to have their water use tracked with the technology. Smart water meters are replacing 20mm mechanical meters at select locations across Logan, and new data loggers are being attached to larger meters. The devices allow real-time monitoring of water use and assist with leak detection. [...]
A project to improve the safety and performance of an Adelaide city substation housed inside a heritage building has successfully concluded after two years of extensive planning and site works. Built in 1924, the building – originally owned by the Adelaide Electric Supply Company as a converter station – is home to the 33kV East Terrace Substation, servicing Adelaide’s CBD. [...]
Smart technology was once again successfully deployed to pinpoint a leak on a water network valve near a busy intersection on the Eyre Highway in Port Augusta West, helping minimise interruption to customers and commuters. The leak had been identified close to an intersection near the Joy Baluch AM Bridge, however its exact location was unknown and complicated by the [...]
Developed after inspecting over 90,000km of powerlines using beyond visible line of sight (BVLOS) flights, the Terra Drone solution suite leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to automate damage detection – such as rust on bolts, birds nests and loosening of tower parts – and vegetation management in power transmission and distribution equipment. Terra Drone Corporation, the world’s largest provider of industrial drone solutions, has [...]
More than 700m of water main in the centre of Port Lincoln is set to be replaced over the coming months as part of efforts by SA Water to continually improve services for customers. The work, which will install new pipes along Liverpool Street and Porter Street, is part of SA Water’s $137 million investment to replace around 375,000m of [...]
A $3.49 million project to upgrade wastewater infrastructure is set to begin in the Perth suburb of Ellenbrook to support population growth in the City of Swan. The upgrades will be completed by local contractors and involve 26 Western Australian workers. The State Government, through Water Corporation, will start work this week to install a new 2.4km pipeline to improve [...]
Ausgrid has completed a comprehensive safety program to ensure the electricity network is ready for what is already proving to be a very busy bushfire season. Ausgrid Chief Operating Officer, Trevor Armstrong, said the program included more than 190,000 air and ground inspections. “Safety is our number one priority and these inspections are a key part of our annual bushfire [...]
Western Power has introduced advanced metering infrastructure on the South West Interconnected System, unlocking future benefits including the ability to integrate more renewable energy and improve safety. Currently, Western Power has installed 23,000 meters as it works towards installing 238,000 units – in the first phase – across existing network connections and for new homes over the next few years. [...]
For those seeking a thermal imaging camera solution to identify heat spots, measure temperature, identify water leaks or damage, FLIR ONE Pro provides a cost-effective, compact and easy-to-use solution to identify problems quickly. Suitable for almost all industries and applications, the FLIR ONE Pro converts a user’s smart phone into a high-resolution thermography sensor and can measure temperatures up to [...]
Aquaculture operators in search of a better way to automate testing for DO, pH, ammonia and other parameters will find the modular plug-n-play T80-S80 Analyser System from Electro-Chemical Devices (ECD) simplifies operations and lowers total operating costs. In aquaculture, the reliable detection of levels of dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, ammonia and other parameters is essential to keep fish healthy. These [...]
Works are underway on a critical Powerlink transmission line perched on a steep Far North Queensland mountainside, as part of a $6 million specialised maintenance project. Queensland Energy Minister, Dr Anthony Lynham, said crews started on site in mid-August, working on the 50-year-old towers that bring electricity from Barron Gorge Power Station to the Cairns area. “This four kilometres of [...]
700 properties across the Queensland city of Logan are set to receive new, real-time water monitoring devices as part of phase one of Logan Water’s implementation of the technology. The smart meters, due to be rolled out from September 2019, will replace existing 20mm mechanical water meters, while new data loggers will be attached to existing mechanical water meters larger [...]
Western Power has commenced a new inspection trial, using drones to assist with visual inspections of faults around the Northam and Geraldton areas. The drones will increase response times to outages and detect faults, and are capable of withstanding electromagnetic interference, allowing safe navigation near powerlines. Drone pilots will be able to switch between two different cameras, a high powered [...]
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