Arc faults are a serious event where a large amount of electrical energy is explosively released causing serious burns and death of operators in the area. Additionally, they can result in significant damage to switchgear, conductors, switchboards and installations. Here we look at how new electrical safety technology can prevent disaster and protect personnel from hazardous consequences. The most likely […]
The Compressed Air Association of Australasia (CAAA) recently announced CAPS Australia as the winner of the inaugural CAAA Safety Award. The winner was judged as having the best system, work procedure or tooling idea that improves the safety of the compressed air industry. CAPS Australia’s winning submission was in recognition of their implementation of technology, usually used for caravans and […]
In 2022, Downer, in partnership with Logan Water and MASS Products, successfully engineered a simple and innovative isolation lock for buried water valves. The valve lock is the first of its kind for use in common square B and D class valve boxes – and is now widely used across the water industry, with further innovations in the pipeline to […]
The City of Stirling has announced the completion of a $20 million project expanding Perth’s underground power network, improving streetscapes and increasing reliability for residents and businesses. Part of Western Power’s underground power program is the Network Renewal Undergrounding Program (NRUPP); the project removed 493 poles and 23km of overhead cable and installed 354 new streetlights and 53km of underground […]
The plans for the Stanwell Clean Energy Hub have been revealed, with a number of initiatives lined up to train and prepare the workforce for future projects and to test innovative new energy technologies. To begin the transformation of the Stanwell Clean Energy Hub, publicly owned energy company Stanwell Corporation will build the Future Energy and Innovation Training Hub (FEITH) […]
The Tasmanian Government has announced TasTAFE’s new $27 million Water and Energy Trades (WET) Centre of Excellence on Hobart’s Eastern Shore, which will provide the latest industry-aligned training to support the state’s water and energy apprentices. The $27 million centre is funded by the Tasmanian and Federal Governments with support from industry. Tasmanian Minister for Skills, Training and Workforce Growth, […]
The City of Sydney council has passed a motion that looks to introduce a new policy that will require new homes and businesses in the area to be gas free. The motion, moved by Councillor (Waskam) Emelda Davis, and seconded by Deputy Lord Mayor, Sylvie Ellsmore, will insert new clauses into the council’s planning rules to require new homes and […]
Operational Technology Specialist Madison Technologies has announced its partnership with renowned global technology company Bosch Security and Safety Systems. By combining Madison Technologies’ extensive knowledge of the regional Operational Technology sector with Bosch’s AIoT camera solutions, the partnership is focused on bringing the Bosch range of intelligent cameras to critical operational environments. “This collaboration with Bosch demonstrates our commitment to […]
Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) is in the process of implementing an automated water meter reading system that helps conserve water, supports operations and improves the customer service experience for its customers throughout the region. External consultants were engaged, a proof of concept trial was undertaken and in March 2023, the first of the smart water meters were installed. As a […]
Vegetation management is a vital part of helping to protect the Alice Springs community from the impacts of severe weather. You might not expect wild storms, gusty winds and heavy rains in the desert regions of Central Australia, yet they occur frequently during late spring and summer. The storms can cause significant destruction, and the town of Alice Springs – […]
All pipelines are exposed to a range of physical, climatic and chemical elements that can cause corrosion. This is often exacerbated in harsh environments, where pipelines are exposed to high salt levels or extreme temperatures that can accelerate the rate of decay. Ignoring the effects of corrosion can be costly for asset owners, and planning for corrosion control and mitigation […]
Working with leading telecommunication provider Optus, Spectur has delivered surveillance solutions to protect critical assets from theft and vandalism. After three years of partnering together, Optus and Spectur will extend their collaboration to boost security for vulnerable telecommunication assets and support Optus’s commitment to strengthening mobile network security. Optus has updated its Statement of Works with Spectur through an existing […]
Asset management is a key responsibility of utilities across Australia, and arguably the most important and critical of these is vegetation and tree clearing around powerlines. Vermeer’s range of equipment offers sustainable vegetation management choices for utilities, and recycling options for project byproducts. These days, individuals and organisations are being urged to consider their choices and make decisions with sustainability […]
Transgrid’s $2 million Engineering Scholarship Fund is supporting 100 engineering students at the university’s Bathurst campus between 2023 and 2029 to help build a bigger, skilled workforce across Australia’s infrastructure industry as the clean energy transition accelerates. Scholarships of $20,000 have been awarded to seventeen first-year engineering students at Charles Sturt University, with recipients hailing from New South Wales regional […]
A new innovation precinct in Fishermans Bend is set to position Victoria as a global leader in engineering, manufacturing and design. However, before the redevelopment work could start, there was the complex task of augmenting the existing power network. Daly’s Constructions had to innovate to combat weak ground conditions, traffic management constraints and to navigate 150 existing underground services. The […]
Water Corporation has finished construction of a permanent wastewater main in Fitzroy Crossing, as part of flood recovery efforts. The previous pipeline attached to the Fitzroy River Bridge was damaged during a one-in-100-year flood event following ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie. In February 2023, Water Corporation installed a temporary main to transfer the town’s wastewater from the western side of the river […]
Utilities across Australia and the globe are increasingly turning to the potential of digital data and digital intelligence to assess the condition of assets. The use of digital technologies and data analytics is disrupting traditional business models, changing the way linear assets are designed, built, inspected, and operated. The COVID-19 pandemic, technological advancements, and regulatory changes, as well as the […]
From roads and railways to power lines and pipelines, encroaching vegetation can cause downtime, damage and catastrophes. Utility vegetation management remains a huge line item in most annual budgets, involving manual inspection of thousands of infrastructure miles. But it’s mainly reactive maintenance, leaving very little focus on prevention. Satellite technology provides a great opportunity to augment existing methods, offering more […]
One key component of the water treatment process is the disinfection of water, which is often achieved through the use of sodium hypochlorite. Although it is a powerful disinfectant, it is also highly reactive. This article explores how sodium hypochlorite is used in water treatment plants, best practices for storing it, and guidelines for safe handling. Sodium hypochlorite (NaCIO) is […]
AGL Energy’s Liddell Power Station has closed its doors after 52 years of operation, and is set to be repurposed into an industrial renewable energy hub, which will house a 500MW grid-scale battery. Opened in 1971, AGL Energy’ Liddell Power Station has played a critical role in powering homes and businesses across the nation and has made a significant contribution […]
A new online course has been launched to educate developers, builders, and plumbers about water efficiency labelling and their legal obligations under the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) Act 2005. In just 45 minutes, participants will be able to complete the free course and learn about the important role they can play in saving water, energy and lowering the […]
The New South Wales Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) has invited Griffith City Council to participate in a two-month pilot Network Leak Detection Program. As part of the pilot program, specialist water network leak detection contractors will undertake on-the-ground surveying to identify water leaks in the Griffith Local Government Area (LGA) from 11 April 2023 for a period of […]
RIDGID®, part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, is celebrating a major milestone this year – 100 years of designing and building innovative tools trusted on job sites around the world and handed down from generation to generation. To commemorate the occasion, RIDGID will spend the year 2023 celebrating the trades, their impact on our world, and the brand’s legacy. “A […]
As the world becomes more interconnected by technology, the demand for IT infrastructure is only set to rise. From personal interactions such as checking bank balances via mobile banking apps to managing the businesses ERP and MRP, all are only possible with the seamless integration of IT. What if these IT systems are not physically protected? Sure, downtime can be […]
In order to figure out the main issues power plant operators are facing every day, an interview was conducted with Floor Operator, Dave Hardy, and Safety and Health Coordinator, Paul Perez, both working at the power plant Tri-State Craig Station, Colorado, USA. Power plants are not designed to ease the work of operators Many power plants were built at a […]
As part of electricity distributor Powercor’s year-round vegetation inspection and tree-cutting program, powerline inspections from the air are underway in the Bendigo region. The helicopters – operated by the network’s affiliate business, Beon Aerial Services – are fitted with advanced Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology to accurately identify the distances of trees to powerlines. This information is fed back […]
EnergyAustralia makes a continued commitment to reconciliation by releasing its 2023-25 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), outlining a series of commitments that bring to life EnergyAustralia’s vision for reconciliation. EnergyAustralia’s vision looks forward to a united Australia that acknowledges and celebrates First Nations peoples and cultures and working inclusively and collaboratively with Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander peoples to accelerate […]
An Australian water utility was awarded the 2022 International Service Excellence Awards in the Service Excellence in a Service Centre (Medium) category, presented by the Customer Service Institute of America (CSIA), recognising the utility as a business that displayed the highest standard of customer service. The water utility that won the award was Yarra Valley Water. The awards are judged […]
The Rockhampton Regional Council received $10.8 million from the Queensland Government to continue to truck drinking water from Gracemere to Mount Morgan. Deputy Premier of Queensland and Minister for Local Government, Steven Miles, said the funding would keep this essential service on the road while a pipeline from Gracemere to Mount Morgan was built. “Since March 2021, Mount Morgan has […]
Transgrid’s pre-apprenticeship course for women, 2022 intake, are now on site working on the high voltage transmission network that connects more than 3.5 million homes and businesses across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory to deliver safe and reliable electricity. Maya Boeren has worn many hats in her career, from a captain’s cap flying planes to working in […]
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