To provide a more reliable and resilient energy network while keeping costs down for customers, AusNet will seek approval for funding to upgrade its distribution network over the next five years. The proposal is part of its draft plans, which are approved by the Australian Energy Regulator every five years through the Electricity Distribution Price Review (EDPR) process. Development of the [...]
Yarra Valley Water is investing more than $2.6 billion as part of its five-year plan to ensure that it can provide essential water and sewerage services that meet the demands of Melbourne’s growing population. Victoria remains the fastest-growing state in the country with the State Government’s Victoria in Future 2023 report, predicting its population will reach 10.3 million by 2051. [...]
The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) will receive a further $120 million for the Victorian component of the VNI West transmission project, which aims to improve the reliability and security of electricity supply in Victoria and New South Wales. The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has committed the funding via the Rewiring the Nation (RTN) program as AEMO continues the [...]
Yarra Valley Water is switching to recycled barricade tape at worksites, removing more than 100km of virgin plastic tape from circulation every year. The new tape, produced by Melbourne social enterprise Cacti Conserve, is designed to reduce environmental impact and support a circular economy. Yarra Valley Water General Manager Distribution and Growth, Bridie Fennessy, said the organisation has adopted the [...]
Early works have kicked off for Powerlink’s SuperGrid Training Centre and Transmission Hub in Gladstone. Queensland Minister for Water and Member for Gladstone, Glenn Butcher, joined Powerlink officials on site to celebrate this milestone. The state-of-the-art facility will provide critical skills development and apprentice training opportunities to hundreds of workers as the energy transformation rolls out. Powerlink’s Central Queensland network [...]
Factory testing of a vanadium flow battery (VFB) for Horizon Power’s long duration energy storage (LDES) pilot has now been completed. Invinity Energy Systems completed the testing of the battery, which is now being transported to Horizon Power’s site in Kununurra, Western Australia for installation and site acceptance testing. The 220kWh VFB can deliver up to 78kW of power, and [...]
Australia is emerging as a global leader in sustainable development, driven by engineering innovation. With a focus on renewable energy, green infrastructure and cutting-edge technologies, these professionals are tackling some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. Here are five standout Australian projects that highlight this commitment to a more sustainable future: 1. Pioneering renewable energy projects Australia’s abundant natural [...]
The Federal and Queensland governments have partnered deliver new infrastructure to help safeguard Queensland’s water security and protect the natural environment. Under the new $211 million Water Infrastructure for Sustainable and Efficient Regions (WISER) initiative, the Central Highlands Drinking Water Supply Program in Central Queensland will receive a $5.9 million boost. The Cassowary Coast Leak Reduction project in north Queensland will also receive [...]
Marking the next stage for the Borumba Pumped Hydro Project, Queensland Hydro has awarded three major works packages, totalling almost $190 million. Once completed, the 2,000MW renewable energy project will provide the long-duration energy storage needed to reliably transition to Queensland’s future clean energy system. Water2Wire Joint Venture (JV) has been appointed as Dams Designer Delivery Partner, with packages totalling [...]
Jemena has partnered with a Melbourne-based utility-scale biogas developer to deliver a new biomethane plant in regional New South Wales that utilises agricultural waste. Valorify has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the energy infrastructure company to assess the feasibility of injecting biomethane produced by Valorify into the New South Wales gas distribution network – which is currently [...]
The New South Wales Government has given the Hunter Water approval to build a seawater desalination plant in Belmont, with construction expected to begin in late 2024. The State Government said that the $530 million investment in building a permanent desalination plant will significantly enhance the region’s drought preparedness and response capabilities. As the largest regional economy in New South [...]
SA Water is partnering with five major construction companies to deliver critical water and sewer infrastructure over the next four years. The record $3.3 billion capital program includes a $1.5 billion investment, announced as a key initiative of the South Australian Government’s Housing Roadmap, to increase capacity of the water and sewer network through upgrades to pipes, pump stations and [...]
The NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC) has approved ENGIE’s Hills of Gold Wind Farm, located outside Nundle in northern New South Wales. Hills of Gold Wind Farm Pty Ltd (owned by ENGIE), originally sought consent to develop a 390MW wind farm with 64 turbines. The IPC has approved the Hills of Gold Wind Farm to have 62 turbines, a 100MW [...]
Powercor has unveiled a $3.3 billion plan to deliver a stronger power network that can better withstand extreme weather, support more electric vehicles and enhance regional reliability. The electricity distributor’s 2026–31 Draft Regulatory Proposal includes a plan to provide backup supplies to four areas, more weather-resistant infrastructure and incorporate even more reliability technology into parts of the network. Powercor said that [...]
Under its new Regional Connect Program, Western Power is collaborating with local communities to improve power reliability in areas of the network that contain long feeders. Western Power Executive Manager of Asset Management, Gair Landsborough, said the new $88 million Regional Connect Program aimed to improve power reliability in regional areas that experience frequent power outages on the long feeder lines. “We [...]
In a significant milestone for the facility, all solar panels have now been installed at APA Group’s Port Hedland Solar Farm and Battery project. The scope of the project includes the construction of the 45MWAC Port Hedland Solar Photovoltaic (PV) generation facility and a 35MW/36.7MWh battery energy storage system, which will supply renewable energy for large mining customers in [...]
An upgrade to Bridgewater’s sewer network is nearing completion, with SA Water installing more than 100m of new sewer main and supporting erosion protection along Cox Creek. The pipe – which travels beneath Cox Creek from a pump station located on Ayr Street – was built alongside an existing sewer main that has now been decommissioned as part of the [...]
Marinus Link Pty Ltd (MLPL) CEO, Caroline Wykamp, has tendered her resignation to the Board, and said that her time on the project has been an incredibly rewarding and dynamic journey. On a post to LinkedIn on 6 September 2024, Ms Wykamp reflected on her time at Marinus Link. “I was brought on to get the deal done, and I [...]
Flow Power has joined forces with Tauondi Aboriginal College to improve First Nations training and employment within the energy sector. The partnership aims to facilitate a pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to participate within the evolving renewable energy landscape across South Australia. The Pathway to Electrotechnology program is an initiative established and supported by Flow Power [...]
The International Society for Trenchless Technology (ISTT) has updated its definition of microtunnelling to formally include vacuum technology for spoil handling. Vacuum technology has been used successfully in these installations for many years, but has not previously been recognised in official definitions. The change follows efforts by Edge Underground CEO, Stuart Harrison, in collaboration with the ISTT and the Japanese [...]
Powerlink has been appointed as the body to plan, deliver and operate Queensland’s approach to renewable energy zones (REZs), which will see the strategic connection of about 22GW of new grid-scale renewable energy across the state. With 12 potential REZs across the state, Powerlink will work with landholders and local government help regional communities reap the rewards of renewable energy investment, [...]
As rising waste levy rates drive increased recycling efforts, ALLU buckets can help recycling and resource recovery operations stay one step ahead. Managing the waste produced from civil construction and infrastructure services is an ongoing challenge for the industry. Traditionally, contractors would load up a truck with demolition waste and dump it in landfill – as it has been common practice [...]
As part of its commitment to improving grid reliability, Western Power has completed network resilience works in Dalwallinu, Moora and Coorow, which will help safeguard these communities against major weather events. Western Power Executive Manager of Asset Operations, Zane Christmas, said the upgrade work, which began in March 2024, aimed to improve the number and duration of unplanned outages for homes and businesses [...]
The State Electricity Commission (SEC) and the Victorian Government have kicked off construction on one of the world’s biggest renewable energy storage batteries. Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allan, and Victorian Minister for the State Electricity Commission, Lily D’Ambrosio, visited the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub – a 600MW big battery that will store enough energy to power up to 200,000 homes during [...]
Barwon Water’s new Forrest water treatment plant is now fully operational and working to improve the town’s water quality and security. The plant, located on Grant Street, features the latest technology, an increased capacity, and improved operational efficiency. Barwon Water is optimising processes at the new $8.75 million plant to respond to any changes in water quality, backed by frequent [...]
The Federal Government has declared a new offshore wind zone in the Indian Ocean off Bunbury, Western Australia, between Cape Naturaliste and Dawesville. Following consultation with local leaders, industry, fishers, unions, First Nations people and community groups, the proposed Bunbury offshore wind zone has been amended. It will now be at least 30km from shore at its closest point, excluding [...]
As part of a critical upgrade for SA Water’s Tailem Bend to Keith Pipeline, the utility has installed new isolation valves along the Culburra section of the pipeline. The $5.8 million project involves replacing four of the pipeline’s original 3.5t valves, as well as installing a further three new valves and bypass pipework in Coonalpyn, Culburra and Tintinara to improve water [...]
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has opened the first phase of its $1 billion Solar Sunshot program, which aims to support innovation in solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing. Solar Sunshot was announced by the Federal Government in March 2024 and the program guidelines have been designed following a period of extensive consultation. ARENA CEO, Darren Miller, said the program aims [...]
Queensland’s new Rookwood Weir has celebrated another milestone, with water from the weir now being delivered to Central Queensland irrigators Rural Funds Management is the first customer to take water from the weir, using it to irrigate macadamia orchards in the Lower Fitzroy. The water from Rookwood Weir is enabling the company to plant 800,000 macadamia trees over 2,500ha of [...]
Transgrid has secured $700 million in funding to progress early works on the New South Wales section of the VNI West transmission line, with the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), committing a further $140 million. CEFC funding has been granted under the Federal Government’s $20 billion Rewiring the Nation (RTN) program, in recognition of the importance of the project to [...]
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