Features

SUEZ secures its place as a leading player in water and waste management by doubling its investments

Katie Livingston January 25, 2023 Features, Sponsored Editorial, Water and Wastewater Treatment 0

The global water and waste sectors are facing significant environmental challenges with the move to net zero carbon and impacts of climate change. Utilities must now focus on innovation and the integration of digital technologies to mitigate these risks and meet service demand. To help manage these challenges, leading water and wastewater management solutions company, SUEZ, has released a new […]

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What’s the best approach to investment planning?

Katie Livingston January 24, 2023 Features, Sponsored Editorial 0

Top-down? Bottom-up? What about middle-out? Investment planning often involves a tension between top-down and bottom-up approaches. A top-down approach begins with a holistic view, working from an understanding of organisational objectives and how best to invest to meet them, resulting in a set of KPIs that can be vague and unattainable. A bottom-up approach begins with a set of investments […]

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New Australian pyrolysis technology delivers breakthrough in biosolid to biochar conversion

Katie Livingston January 24, 2023 Biosolids Content Hub, Features, Sponsored Editorial, Water 0

Biosolids conversion is fast becoming an integral part of the circular economy. In partnership with Intelligent Water Networks (IWN) and Greater Western Water, South East Water and its commercial arm Iota have proved the effectiveness of PYROCO, a breakthrough pyrolysis technology developed by RMIT University that converts biosolid to biochar while eliminating PFAS. Armed with solutions such as PYROCO, water […]

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Addressing skills shortages in the clean energy industry

Katie Livingston January 24, 2023 Electricity, Features, Renewable Energy, Sustainability 0

The Clean Energy Council (CEC) has released a new report, Skilling the Energy Transition, which makes six recommendations to fix the skills and labour challenges that could endanger the success of Australia’s clean energy transition. Utility spoke to Dr Anita Talberg, CEC’s Policy Director for Workforce Development, to explore her recommended solutions to the current skills shortage. The CEC report, […]

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Community-oriented strategies to prevent New South Wales dam overflow

Katie Livingston January 24, 2023 Dams, Disaster Management, Features, Water 0

The wettest Spring on record across the Murray Darling Basin and New South Wales has brought tremendous hardship for thousands of people, and extreme vigilance by WaterNSW in safely managing the state’s inland dams. The recent exceptional weather has helped drive the devastating flooding from which communities across much of regional New South Wales are still recovering, while others brace […]

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Utilities supporting global water, sanitation, and hygiene efforts

Katie Livingston January 23, 2023 Features, Sustainability, Water 0

Feature image credit: WaterAid/Tariq Hawari For the last 18 years the Australian water sector has been helping change the lives of the world’s poorest and most marginalised people through their support of WaterAid Australia, a not-for-profit dedicated to improving worldwide access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene. Australians are blessed with some of the best water services in the world. […]

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Remote or unmanned assets don’t have to be invisible

Katie Livingston January 23, 2023 Asset management, Features, Sponsored Editorial 0

Many utility assets around Australia are either remote or unmanned, which can make security or even checking on the site difficult. But with advanced and smart surveillance technology, it’s possible to have an active set of eyes anywhere in the country. One of the great challenges of managing a utility network across a country as large as Australia is that […]

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Vacuum excavators have become the tool of choice in council fleets

Katie Livingston January 20, 2023 Features, Sponsored Editorial, Spotlight, Trenchless technology 0

Vacuum excavators are the often unsung hero of the trenchless technology world, quickly and effectively moving soil when needed so that horizontal directional drilling can take place. But now, local governments across Australia and New Zealand are discovering a multitude of uses for vacuum excavators. For the uninitiated, vacuum excavation, also known as non-destructive digging or hydro excavation, is a […]

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Developing a digital strategy in partnership with customers

Katie Livingston January 20, 2023 Digital Utilities, Features 0

Presenting at the 2022 Digital Utilities conference, Goulburn Valley Water’s General Manager for Technology and Transformation, Tony Wulff, discussed how developing customer-led data strategies for utilities can offer greater efficiencies and unlock new community value. Goulburn Valley Water not only supports the residents of the Goulburn Valley, but also Central Victoria’s massive agricultural industry, made up primarily of dairy, fruit […]

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Water quality measurement and monitoring using data insights

Katie Livingston January 20, 2023 Features, Sponsored Editorial, Water 0

Melbourne-based company, Eco Detection, is closing the gap of data and insight with a world-first automated laboratory-grade solution designed to increase efficiency in critical infrastructure, remote operations, wastewater processing, food production and environmental monitoring. Eco Detection has automated lab-grade measurement for dissolved inorganics in the field using capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE), most predominantly used in laboratories because it gives faster […]

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Sensing the future of data technology in water networks

Katie Livingston January 19, 2023 Asset management, Features, Water 0

A new report suggests that setting up and monitoring future water assets will require a clearer understanding of the complexities of natural water systems, which can only be achieved with advanced sensors. With many water assets located in remote areas, and unprecedented rainfall and floods compromising natural water processes, it is difficult to understand the full extent of Australia’s hydrology. […]

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Expanding NBN connectivity to just about anywhere

Katie Livingston January 19, 2023 Digital Utilities, Features, Sponsored Editorial 0

NBN is making some great leaps forward in innovation, but imagination can be just as important. If you can imagine it, you are halfway to making it. Picture a new park in a new estate in Western Australia. In that park, there’s a small device no bigger than your thumb connected to a light pole. And through that device, the […]

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Operational environments are evolving, and so is the risk

Katie Livingston January 19, 2023 Cyber Security, Digital Utilities, Features, Sponsored Editorial 0

It’s time to update our definition of operational technology (OT). OT once described a group of technologies that directly monitored and controlled our equipment, assets, processes and events. Today, it is far more complex. The addition of sensor networks, embedded computing, feedback loops and external stimulus allows our process plants to self-activate communication, control and compute functions. OT today is […]

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Sydney water’s advanced wastewater recycling centre to enable growth

Katie Livingston January 18, 2023 Features, Water 0

Sydney Water’s Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre (AWRC) in the Western Parkland City will set the stage for a more sustainable approach to water management by producing recycled water, renewable energy and bio-resources at a single site. Located between Kemps and South Creeks in the heart of the Aerotropolis, the largest growth area in New South Wales, the […]

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Partnerships built on collaboration and innovation

Katie Livingston January 18, 2023 Features, Sponsored Editorial 0

Jemena and Sydney Water are partnering to develop Australia’s first biomethane-to-gas-network project. The demonstration project, co-funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, is intended to show how carbon-neutral biomethane can help to supplement domestic gas supplies and support the decarbonisation process for the gas network. Executing the project on behalf of Jemena, Zinfra was required to create a partnership of […]

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Pumped storage hydro’s vital role in Australia’s renewable future

Katie Livingston January 18, 2023 Features, Renewable Energy, Water 0

Pumped storage hydro projects can play an increasingly vital role in the future of Australia’s renewable energy landscape. They provide a number of functionalities which are an essential complement to Australia’s growing solar and wind fleet.

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Innovation festival makes a successful return

Katie Livingston January 18, 2023 Features, Water 0

After a successful debut in 2021, the Sydney Water Innovation Festival made a triumphant return at the end of 2022. The event provided an environment for connection, collaboration and innovation to solve some of the greatest challenges facing the water industry and broader society. The festival delivered live presentations from the Australian Maritime Museum in Sydney, which were also broadcast […]

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Signals are green for new investment in renewables transition

Katie Livingston January 17, 2023 Features, Renewable Energy, Sustainability 0

By Katie Barnett, Partner, Energy Transition – Deals, PwC Australia Australia’s energy challenges are getting a lot of airtime. With so much happening, there is no shortage of commentary and unprecedented attention on power markets. And, for those with patience and tenacity, there will also be plenty of commercial opportunities. There are operational challenges with an aging thermal fleet (coal […]

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Strategies for renewable transition success: stock, speed, and reliability

Katie Livingston January 17, 2023 Features, Renewable Energy, Sponsored Editorial, Sustainability 0

With net zero emission goals and the consistent and early closure of coal-fired power plants demanding replacement energy projects, there has been a significant increase in the demand for renewable energy technologies and supplies. This means an unprecedented need for renewable equipment – and fast. The Federal Climate Change Act mandates a reduction in emissions of 43 per cent by […]

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Success shines for SA water’s bright solar future

Katie Livingston January 17, 2023 Electricity, Features, Renewable Energy, Solar 0

SA Water continues to integrate sustainable and innovative energy management practices into its large-scale water and wastewater pumping operations. The utility’s significant shift towards renewable energy is highlighted by its Zero Cost Energy Future initiative, an internally conceived project rarely seen on such size and scope in the global water industry. Recently recognised with both national and global award recognition, […]

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SouthPAN: how accurate and reliable satellite positioning impacts utilities

Katie Livingston January 16, 2023 Digital Utilities, Features 0

With highly accurate positioning services, SouthPAN is set to offer Australian utilities a new way of looking at asset management, particularly when it comes to monitoring and surveying physical infrastructure and equipment. In September 2022, the Federal Government announced a $1.18 billion 19-year contract with Lockheed Martin Australia to develop and operate the Southern Positioning Augmentation Network (SouthPAN). SouthPAN is […]

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Geospatial intelligence program focuses on innovation

Katie Livingston January 16, 2023 Digital Utilities, Features, Projects 0

The entire Horizon Power electrical network, sprawled over 2.3 million square kilometres of beautiful and rugged terrain, is being digitally mapped using a combination of drones, a helicopter and a vehicle fitted with advanced sensors. The Geospatial Intelligence Program, launched in November 2021, is yet another example of Horizon Power’s digital transformation – in this case to help keep its […]

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New technology helps Melbourne Water prepare for the future

Katie Livingston January 13, 2023 Features, Irrigation, Water, Water and Wastewater Treatment 0

Melbourne’s population is growing. By 2030, more than six million people are expected to call the city home. A booming city means greater demand on services and infrastructure and this includes the sewerage system. Here are two projects that demonstrate how we are embracing technology to help us meet demand and achieve our goals in a safe and efficient way.

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Western Power CEO Sam Barbaro discusses the journey to decarbonisation

Katie Livingston January 12, 2023 Company news, Features, People and appointments, Renewable Energy 0

Appointed CEO of Western Power in August 2022 after 15 years in the business, including eight years in executive roles, Sam Barbaro has played a pivotal role in the transformation of the Western Australian energy sector. However, Mr Barbaro says it’s the current unparalleled pace of change in the industry that will deliver the greatest opportunities for the community, environment […]

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Supporting customers to be waterwise with digital meter data

Katie Livingston January 12, 2023 Features, Sustainability, Water 0

Most water customers in Australia say water efficiency is important to them, but how can utilities actually support their customers to make the changes needed to conserve water and reduce costs? South East Water has partnered with the University of Melbourne on several technology-based trials to see what impact real-time data from digital meters can have on reducing household water […]

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Embracing difficult stake holder conversations

Katie Livingston January 11, 2023 Company news, Electricity, Features 0

For a long time, energy technologies have been stable, customers uninterested, and energy services affordable and reliable enough to keep networks back of mind. Now, customers have more skin in the game, with the take-up of solar, batteries and electric vehicles, and the electrification of everything. There is more interest than ever in energy networks and, given the volume of […]

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Meter seals in high demand

Katie Livingston November 4, 2022 Features, Smart meters, Sponsored Editorial, Water 0

Being intuitively designed, robust, and secure enough to continue passing SCEC approval tests, it is time to put the spotlight on a classic meter seal that has truly stood the test of time. From the meter seals range, the Tool Less Roto Seal continues to be Harcor’s most popular seal. Its ease of use and ability to be applied without […]

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Guaranteeing measurement accuracy

Katie Livingston November 4, 2022 Digital Utilities, Features, Sponsored Editorial 0

“What gets measured, gets improved” goes the saying imprecisely attributed to legendary management consultant Peter Drucker. Increasingly, though, good calibration requires more than whipping out the scales or a tape measure. In a more and more exacting scientific world, extreme precision is required to deliver the best results to customers at a practical, industrial level. Modern society is driven by […]

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Enhancing asset management with state-of-the-art conflation

Katie Livingston November 3, 2022 Features, Mapping & GIS, Sponsored Editorial 0

The asset management capabilities of GIS rely on data integrated from a variety of sources. Discrepancies can often occur between different datasets, or between older and updated spatial data. For critical utility infrastructure applications, a simplistic fix to reconcile these differences will not pass muster. Achieving the most accurate dataset requires a strategic and rigorous approach to conflation by utilising […]

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Unitywater CEO Anna Jackson on creating a sustainable utility

Katie Livingston November 3, 2022 Features, Inside Water, People and appointments, Policy, Water 0

In July this year, Anna Jackson joined South East Queensland water utility Unitywater as its new CEO. Previously SA Water’s General Manager Strategy, Engagement and Innovation, Ms Jackson is keenly aware of the challenges facing water utilities and recent developments in customer engagement. She sat down with Utility Magazine Editor, Jessica Dickers, to discuss the impacts of climate change and population growth, the uptake of digital meters, and the vision for her new role – all of which tie in with an overarching theme of a sustainable water future.

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