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 […]
Safety and Training
How can utilities prepare for bushfire season?
Katie Livingston Disaster Management, Safety and Training, Sponsored Editorial 0As summer brings hot weather, Australians start cleaning out the pools, going on holiday and most importantly, preparing for bushfires, it’s vital for utilities to take the necessary precautions with bushfire season approaching for most of the country to prevent their equipment and infrastructure from accidentally causing a fire. For network operators, this means clearing vegetation near assets and equipment. […]
Following an outage at the Chevron’s Wheatstone domestic gas plant near Onslow on the evening of 5 January, the Western Australian Government is yet to confirm if gas production has recommenced. The source of the failure has been identified and a staged restart of the operation was planned for 8 January. The restart was delayed by at least a further […]
United Energy charged for 24 major powerline non-compliances
Tayla Oates Condition Assessment, Disaster Management, Electricity, News, Powerlines, Safety and Training 024 charges have been laid against United Energy for allowing trees to grow too close to powerlines in high bushfire risk areas. Contact between trees and powerlines can result in fires, electric shock and power outages, which can lead to property damage and, in serious cases, injury and death. Major electricity companies are required to keep trees and vegetation at […]
EnergyAustralia launches $10M transition program for Yallourn workers
John Thompson Company news, Electricity, News, Policy, Safety and Training, Spotlight 0Ahead of its planned closure in mid-2028, workers from EnergyAustralia’s Yallourn Power Station and mine will be eligible for transition support from the company’s $10 million “Power Your Future” program. The program supports any worker that calls Yallourn home, including contractors, with access to services to plan, prepare and train for the future – whether that be a new job, […]
Welcoming the next generation of Programmed’s West Region Delivery Team
Mikayla Bridge Projects, Safety and Training, Sponsored Editorial, Water 0Through its Water Academy, Programmed has welcomed the next generation of operational maintenance staff for its Sydney Water partnership, aiming to empower youth and provide new growth opportunities. After many months of preparation and behind-the-scenes planning from its Operational Maintenance leadership team, Kyle, Christian, Jack, and Nathaniel have now begun their journey with the West Region Delivery Team at Preston’s […]
QLD establishes $45 million renewable training centre
John Thompson Civil Construction, News, Renewable Energy, Safety and Training 0The Queensland Government will establish a new $45 million renewable energy training centre in Gladstone to address skills shortages within the renewable energy industry. The Queensland SuperGrid Training Centre and Transmission Hub will be a purpose-built facility acting as a regional base for training energy system workers, developing a high-skilled workforce to better meet increased demand and changing focus in […]
Fixing First Nations water supply to cost $2.2B, report finds
John Thompson News, Policy, Safety and Training, Spotlight, Water 0A new report has revealed a minimum investment of $2.2 billion is required to ensure safe water supply for First Nations communities – over 500 of which do not have access to regular water testing. First Nations communities, particularly in remote areas, are receiving drinking water with levels of uranium, arsenic, fluoride and nitrate that are above levels against the […]
Stakeholders sign QLD’s world-first energy charter
John Thompson News, Policy, Renewable Energy, Safety and Training 0The Electrical Trades Union (ETU) has signed the Queensland Government’s world-first Energy Workers’ Charter, guaranteeing that workers made redundant by the national transition to clean energy will receive ongoing employment at a Government-owned energy organisation. The Workers Charter forms part of the Government’s new Queensland Energy Plan and outlines how the Queensland Government will achieve its renewable energy targets and […]
How safety is becoming one of the most critical smart city applications
Katie Livingston Digital Utilities, Features, Safety and Training, Sponsored Editorial 0By Dan Evans, Head of Smart Cities and IoT, Itron To help identify and act on current and potential future public safety threats, smart city technology is a critical resource for leaders of city councils. Modern safety applications, powered by Industrial IoT (IIoT) infrastructure, utilise correlated sensor data from devices like flood monitoring sensors, pole tilt sensors, traffic monitoring sensors […]
Building essential skills for modern grid transformation
Katie Livingston Electricity, Features, Safety and Training 0By Endeavour Energy In a world where we are ‘electrifying everything’ and enabling new technology, services, markets and products, new skills will be required to develop, operate, and maintain electrically significant infrastructure, both within traditional roles in the electricity supply industry as well as in electrical contractors working alongside the industry and on other major infrastructure projects. The changes currently […]
Maximise safety with integrated motorised racking devices
Katie Livingston Electricity, Features, Safety and Training, Sponsored Editorial 0Arc faults can cause significant damage to switchgear, conductors, switchboards and installations. However, the worst consequence can be the injury or death of operators in the area. According to the hierarchy of control, isolation involves personnel being separated from the energised electrical equipment and conductors. It is most effective for personnel who do not have to operate or perform work […]
Transgrid teaches safety in tower-rescue training day
John Thompson Electricity, News, Safety and Training 0A recent safety training day, delivered by Transgrid, has taught life-saving pole and tower rescue techniques to powerline technicians. A team of contractors from New South Wales-based IT telecommunications provider, On The Wire recently travelled to Transgrid’s training facility in Western Sydney to complete a mandatory annual course, ensuring ongoing safe inspections of the electricity network. Transgrid training delivery team […]
Queensland will soon be home to a $23 million state-of-the-art renewable energy training centre, supported by a $17 million State Government commitment. The Renewable Energy Training Facility will provide electrical, solar renewable energy and telecommunications training, for a future-ready renewable workforce. It will offer qualifications in renewable energy, train apprentices and assist licensed electricians to upgrade their skills to install, […]
Safety technology and its effect on worker connectivity
Mikayla Bridge Digital Utilities, Projects, Safety and Training, Sponsored Editorial 0Many years ago, life was simple – or so it seemed. Something needed to be done; appropriate forms would be filled in and we’d disappear off into some part of the plant and return later when the work was completed or left in a state where we could carry on with it tomorrow. Aside from the odd visit or the […]
Pilot program to train solar-savvy plumbers
John Thompson News, Policy, Renewable Energy, Safety and Training 0The Victorian Government will offer plumbers and fourth-year plumbing apprentices with a pathway toward gaining emerging and essential skills in solar technology. The State Government via Solar Victoria has engaged the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC) to develop and run training and upskilling for plumbers. The targeted training will support Victorian plumbing industry workers to gain specialised new skills […]
Explore, develop, invest: mining and resource leaders gather to explore the challenges and opportunities ahead
Utility Journalist News, Projects, Safety and Training, Sustainability 0The International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) will host over 7500 attendees from over 100 countries at Sydney’s International Convention Centre from 2-4 November. The conference, the largest of its kind in Australia, will provide the premier opportunity for domestic and international industry leaders to engage, learn, network, and most importantly, do business, while addressing the energy transition, rising costs, […]
Four practical ways to implement effective compliance programs
Katie Livingston Policy, Retail, Safety and Training, Sponsored Editorial 0The utility sector is one of the most regulated in the country, if not the world. The quantity and complexity of regulation applying to the industry is increasing daily, as are the penalties for non-compliance. Compliance is moving from an abstract concern to an area requiring direct and focused attention. This article explores four practical ways that leaders in utility […]
Training partnership to address critical industry ‘skills gap’
John Thompson Asset management, News, Safety and Training 0A new collaboration between Endeavour Energy and Thomson Bridge will address a skills gap in New South Wales’ energy and infrastructure sectors by delivering essential safety and skills training to workers. Commencing this July, workers and contractors who are involved in developing, operating and maintaining electrically significant infrastructure will have access to short courses and training at Endeavour Energy’s state-of-the-art […]
ACCC warns consumers of storage battery fire risk
Mikayla Bridge Batteries & Storage, Company news, News, Renewable Energy, Safety and Training, Sustainability 0The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) is urging consumers to check if their home energy solar systems are affected by dangerous LG solar energy storage batteries, which can overheat and catch fire. The batteries, which are under recall, are primarily used in LG, SolaX and Opal home energy solar systems. The batteries can potentially lead to serious injuries, death […]
Trialling new technology to keep power networks safe
Katie Livingston Features, Powerlines, Projects, Safety and Training 0New technology which add an additional layer of bushfire protection to the powerline network is being trialled across central and western Victoria. Electricity distributor Powercor has installed a device near Woodend to test the technology called SWER Broken Conductor, which aims to instantly detect a broken powerline and cut electricity before the line hits the ground. The technology operates on […]
Powerful pumps – the heart of hdd maxi-rig spreads
Katie Livingston Asset management, Civil Construction, Pumps, Safety and Training, Sponsored Editorial 0It’s common to think of HDD drilling spreads in terms of rig size, but the true workhorse of the spread is in fact the mud pump – a high efficiency positive displacement piston pump. Without these pumps, the drilling fluid cannot be pumped into the bore to either jet drill or motor drill, the bore would not have any stability, […]
We don’t just need resilient infrastructure, but infrastructure for resilience
Katie Livingston Disaster Management, Features, Projects, Safety and Training 0by Patrick Hastings, Chief Delivery Officer, Infrastructure Sustainability Council It seems astonishing that two years after we were shocked by the unprecedented awe and impact of the Black Summer fires, we stand again humbled by the power of mother nature, this time due to the ongoing tragic flooding events in South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales. As someone […]
Free solar training introduced in Victoria
Stephanie Nestor News, Safety and Training, Solar, Spotlight 0Free solar training has been included as part of Victoria’s Free TAFE initiative to meet the state’s growing demand for solar installations. From 1 July 2022, the Working Safely in the Solar Industry course will be added as a Free TAFE Short Course. The two-day training – now mandatory for all on-site workers in Solar Victoria’s programs – gives electricians, […]
Transform the way you work with digital switchgear
Utility Journalist Electricity, Safety and Training, Sponsored Editorial 0By Gunnar Zank, Global Product Manager, ABB Continuous monitoring not only keeps production processes up and running, but gives you time and space to do other important tasks. Reducing maintenance costs and preventing downtime in industrial processes is a constant priority for manufacturers. While some system providers are still in the initial phases of a digital transformation, there are already […]
Iota wins landmark digital water meter and IoT platform contract
Utility Journalist Safety and Training, Sponsored Editorial, Water and Wastewater Treatment 0A consortium led by Optus Networks Australia, including Iota, has been awarded the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Smart Water Meter contract for the Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC). The contract will see a staged implementation of up to 68,000 smart water meter, subject to a successful Proof of Concept to deliver accurate data and real-time water usage updates, as well as […]
Maryborough floods: energy crews disconnect properties for safety
Christopher Allan Disaster Management, Electricity, News, Powerlines, Safety and Training, Spotlight 0Energy company crews have progressively disconnected properties in Maryborough to ensure public safety during both the floods and flood recovery efforts. Crews from Ergon Energy are actively monitoring the network in Maryborough to ensure the electrical safety of both residents and responders. The company announced that it will be working to restore network supply as soon as practically possible after […]
Using HDD maxi-rigs on major projects
Katie Livingston Projects, Safety and Training, Sponsored Editorial, Trenchless technology 0There is increasing awareness across the utility industry that horizontal directional drilling (HDD) can provide an effective whole-of-life solution for the installation of pipelines. In this article, Maxibor CEO and Owner, Rodney O’Meley, provides insights into maxi-rig spreads and highlights the benefits of utilities and other infrastructure asset owners using HDD maxi-rigs on major projects. Maxi-rigs are defined as those […]
The world’s only CAT III 1500 V current clamp
Katie Livingston Electricity, Safety and Training, Sponsored Editorial 0The Fluke 393 FC CAT III 1500 V/CAT IV 600V True-rms Clamp Meter with iFlex is designed for technicians who work in DC environments up to 1500 V. The clamp is ideal for environments such as solar arrays, wind power, electric railways, data centers, battery banks for uninterruptible power supplies, and comes with 1500 V CAT III insulated test leads. […]
Balancing act: future-proofing Australia’s electricity network
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