By David Glover, Principal Geotechnical Engineer, Tonkin + Taylor With many methods and technologies available for trenchless pipe installation, there is no one-size-fits-all solution – selecting the right technique for the right job is dependent on understanding the ground and groundwater conditions and basing your decision around that. Gauging the ground The best way to gain a thorough understanding of […]
As rising global temperatures cause a shift in weather patterns, more frequent and severe flooding poses a growing threat to critical utility infrastructure, which in turn leads to the disruption of essential services and presents a danger to the community. This is where advanced surveillance technologies come into play, offering significant benefits for flood management. Flooding around critical infrastructure can […]
In an effort to support opportunities for renewable energy projects in Western Australia, the State Government is set to invest more than $700 million in a major network upgrade. The State Government has said that upgrades to Western Australia’s electricity transmission network are essential to enable large-scale renewable energy generation to connect to the grid, for both domestic use and […]
As the country works to meet renewable energy targets, recycled water has an important role to play, both in the generation of this energy and in ensuring that the burden of the transition to net zero is not placed on drinking water reserves. Renewables will soon replace non-renewables as the main energy source for our homes, businesses and communities, helping […]
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 […]
Speed and security are the two principles with which the key management system was developed. The result of an innovative collaboration between Harcor and Amtac, Keys-on-Tap is a new revolutionary key management platform that takes those two core principles to new levels. Keys-on-Tap paves a critical avenue for fleet management and includes capabilities that have never been made accessible before […]
Some of Australia’s most respected engineering and climate experts will headline the 2023 Climate Smart Engineering Conference, (CSE23), Engineers Australia’s flagship event to be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on 29 and 30 November 2023. The CSE23 plenary and technical programs will bring the latest in world-leading views and engaging debate on solutions to address climate change, […]
It’s easy to imagine that a stuck or very difficult valve is the primary reason for purchasing such a tool. However, this is not necessarily the best reason to use a portable valve actuator. Here we discuss the key considerations to take into account when choosing a torque limiter. Too much torque can cause serious damage to the valve, and […]
Accurate utility location is vital for many types of construction and development projects, as well as for routine maintenance and repair of utilities. Failure to locate and properly mark utilities can result in damage, costly repairs, service disruptions, and potential safety hazards. That’s why utilities and local governments are looking for solutions that can help them get the job done […]
Two crucial concepts that often emerge in conversations around scalable digital transformation are proof of concept (PoC) and proof of value (PoV). Here, we take a look at the differences between each term and what they mean for your digital transformation journey. These terms may sound interchangeable, but they carry distinct implications, especially in critical operational environments where risk mitigation, […]
VEGA Australia, bolstered by its parent company’s global presence and innovations, is ensuring that the local construction industry has reliable, next-generation measurement technology to optimise assets and boost operational efficiency. For more than 60 years, sensor and measuring instrument manufacturer VEGA has been developing the measurement solutions of the future, building upon a passion for innovation and transformation. In recent […]
To ensure that piping equipment remains functional and leak-free, selecting the right seal model to suit the nature of the substances it comes into contact with is of the utmost importance. Here we take a look at a recent case study and discuss the considerations that need to be made when choosing a seal. An Australian potato chip factory built […]
If not located correctly, underground utilities are at risk of being damaged during the installation or construction of new assets, which can have devastating consequences. A New Zealand-based utility locating company has uncovered a solution using the digital visualisation technology. When construction or new asset installation impacts underground utilities such as gas, water or power mains, the consequences can be […]
At the heart of the utility industry lies critical assets – the indispensable infrastructure encompassing power plants, pipelines and water treatment facilities that deliver essential services to communities. Compliance, therefore, stands as the safeguard ensuring the integrity, reliability and safety of these vital services. Failure to comply can result in service interruptions, loss of trust between organisation and customer, and […]
With the arrival of El Niño comes pressing concerns for water security and inevitable water restrictions as utilities are faced with the challenge of limited water supply. Equipping consumers with water consumption data allows them to keep a close eye on their water usage, and reduce water waste at a time when every drop counts. As we approach the hot […]
The pursuit of reducing nonrevenue water has rendered sensor technologies irresistibly appealing to utility companies. These innovative devices boast transformative leak detection capabilities but simultaneously introduce a suite of operational and regulatory quandaries requiring thoughtful navigation. The initial allure of sensor solutions is their ability to monitor leaks across an entire pipeline network. However, this advantage can mislead utilities into […]
As we face a future affected by climate change, the reliability of our water systems becomes more important than ever. But when water security covers such broad ground, where do water authorities focus? Interflow’s Contracts Manager, John Weaver, said that at the centre of most water security success, is a wellmaintained asset base. “In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s […]
With more than 30 per cent of all CO2 emissions attributable to road transport, fleet operators have a major responsibility and opportunity to play a role in a greener future for our planet. The upcoming 3G end-of-life provides an excellent opportunity to improve the sustainability of fleet transport. As the impending 3G shutdown forces all fleet operators to upgrade hardware […]
As Australia’s energy grid transitions towards renewables, water utilities also have a large role to play in reaching net zero emissions targets. North East Water is powering ahead and investing in a renewable energy source for its wastewater treatment plant. A new 3MW solar farm is now powering the Wodonga Wastewater Treatment Plant with renewable energy. In a major step […]
As renewable energy gains importance in our pursuit of sustainability, there are several challenges that need to be addressed to accelerate its adoption and maximise its effectiveness. Some of these challenges include intermittency and reliability. Renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, are intermittent as they do not produce power consistently. Ensuring a stable and reliable energy supply is […]
Australian utilities are sitting on a bounty of untapped biogas that has the potential to transform the energy landscape, supercharge a site’s energy efficiency and drastically improve their bottom line. Here we discuss how this untapped resource can drive the energy transition. Waste to energy technologies that harness the power of biogas are mature and transformative solutions that achieve the […]
WaterGroup’s Head of Sales and Marketing, Aimi Macready, and Head of Smart Metering Operations, Holly Guy, talked about water data and its flow-on effect, implementing sensors and IoT devices for a better water future and the inclusion of women in the water industry. “Well, we wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for one of the founders of WaterGroup, our […]
Southern Downs Regional Council has announced that the MySDRCWater customer portal is live, in time for National Water Week. During National Water Week, which falls between 16 and 22 October, Council encourages all Stanthorpe residents with smart water meters to log on to MySDRCWater to track water consumption and detect potential water leaks or any high water use activities. Southern […]
Whilst redundancy is a valuable tool to bolster network resiliency, it is essential to recognise that it introduces a trade-off that involves potential interruptions in communications. By carefully assessing a network’s recovery time and understanding the PLC communication expectations, network operators can strike a balance that ensures both resiliency and consistent, uninterrupted industrial communications. In the realm of industrial networks, […]
Event Organiser, Talk2 Media, has announced the return of the popular Power + Utilities Leadership Summit and Expo from 7-8 May 2024. Rebranded to Enlit Australia in 2020, the event’s return to its origin, Power + Utilities Australia, follows extensive industry research and feedback from stakeholders. Event Director, Paul Mathers, said that it was an easy decision to make. “This […]
Coined as the ‘Sunburnt Country’, Australia is a continent where water scarcity and quality closely intertwine with environmental challenges. However, a dedicated legion of professionals stand sentinel on the frontlines of water, wastewater, and desalination treatment plants. These unsung heroes work round-the-clock to secure one of earth’s most precious resources – water. Their efforts, often hidden from the public eye, […]
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 […]
Toolkwip Pumps has announced the opening of a new branch in South East Queensland, an expansion driven by the company’s commitment to providing quality service to customers across Australia. The new location is stocked with leading brands of pumps, valves, hoses, fittings and accessories to service Queensland’s civil, quarry and mining sectors. The branch will also feature a fully equipped […]
While there are various environmental, financial and social factors that utilities need to take into consideration to develop a resilient water management system, these are the five must-haves for a utility to be successful. All utilities are facing similar challenges around climate change. This requires the implementation of net zero targets and new, innovative ways to repair environmental damage, as […]
Maintaining Water Systems with Chesterton® Water industry operations need a helping hand to enhance productivity and operational output. The best way is to have the best quality industrial parts built for the unique conditions found in water plants. Chesterton provided quality solutions for Fitt Resources to carry out integral upgrades by Sydney Water in 2022, leading to better equipment efficiency […]
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Assess for success: geotechnical assessments for HDD November 29, 2023
By David Glover, Principal Geotechnical Engineer, Tonkin + Taylor With many meth...
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Monitoring equipment safeguarding assets when disaster strikes November 29, 2023
As rising global temperatures cause a shift in weather patterns, more frequent a...
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$700M renewable energy network boost for WA November 20, 2023
In an effort to support opportunities for renewable energy projects in Western A...
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How recycled water can make green energy even greener November 10, 2023
As the country works to meet renewable energy targets, recycled water has an imp...
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A game changer in electrical safety: integrated automated racking devices October 24, 2023
Arc faults are a serious event where a large amount of electrical energy is expl...
