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, […]
Stakeholder Engagement
To dam or not to dam
Chris Bland Civil Construction, Dams, Features, Land access, Maintenance, Spotlight, Water 1Over the long term, dams can provide the cheapest source of bulk water for the urban environment, and dam water is easier to treat than other sources, such as seawater desalination. However, their construction can involve significant costs, and environmental impacts. The Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) has prepared a detailed study into dams. Surface water dams have long […]
Boosting security for telecommunication assets
Utility Journalist Asset management, Cyber Security, Digital Utilities, Features, Maintenance, Retail, Safety and Training, Sponsored Editorial, Stakeholder Engagement, Telecommunications 0Working 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 […]
Powerlink announces new payment system for landowners hosting transmission infrastructure
Tess Macallan Electricity, Land access, News, Spotlight 0Powerlink’s new SuperGrid Landholder Payment Framework will deliver increased payments to landholders hosting new transmission infrastructure, including new landowner payments for those adjacent to infrastructure. The new compensation framework makes Powerlink the first transmission company in Australia to offer payments to landholders with properties adjacent to new transmission infrastructure. The increase in payments is based on property-specific values and impacts, […]
Four practical ways to implement effective compliance programs
Utility Journalist Asset management, Digital Utilities, Features, Instrumentation, Control & Monitoring, Sponsored Editorial, Stakeholder Engagement 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 […]
Liddell Power Station retires after 52 years of operation
Tayla Oates Asset management, Company news, Electricity, News, Renewable Energy, Safety and Training, Spotlight, Stakeholder Engagement 0AGL 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 […]
Sydney Water Innovation Festival 2022 gets underway
John Thompson Company news, News, Stakeholder Engagement, Water 0After its successful debut in 2021, the Sydney Water Innovation Festival is back – bigger and better than ever, and with a few notable changes. With Covid lockdowns behind us, this year there will be two live venues – the launch and Urban Plunge Tech Summit will be held at Parramatta Square on Friday 25 November, showcasing techniques and innovations […]
Barwon Water wins again at community engagement awards
John Thompson Company news, News, Projects, Stakeholder Engagement, Water 0Barwon Water has won its second consecutive award for community engagement at the annual 2022 International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Core Value Awards. The Core Value Awards recognise organisations that genuinely engage with their communities on projects, following the IAP2 guidelines for engagement. Barwon Water was recognised for its Water for our Future program, focused on exploring how it […]
National Water Week begins, celebrating your water stories
John Thompson News, Stakeholder Engagement, Water 0The Australian Water Association’s (AWA) National Water Week has begun, promising to build awareness about the value of water in Australia, and the role utilities play in delivering our most essential resource. Celebrating this year’s theme ‘Our Water Stories’, the AWA has for the first time partnered with the Federal Government in delivering the annual event. AWA Chief Executive Officer, […]
Stakeholders invited to comment on WA renewable hydrogen target
Rebecca Todesco News, Projects, Renewable Energy, Stakeholder Engagement, Sustainability 0A potential design of a Renewable Hydrogen Target for electricity generation on the South West Interconnected System has been released for consultation, with stakeholders encouraged to comment on the potential design. The Western Australian Government is implementing the Renewable Hydrogen Strategy to support the growth of the state’s renewable hydrogen industry. As part of the strategy, electricity retailers would be […]
Utilities prepare for Water Week celebrations
John Thompson Company news, News, Stakeholder Engagement, Water and Wastewater Treatment 0Water utilities are preparing ahead of the Australian Water Association’s (AWA) annual National Water Week, encouraging education and reflection on our most precious resource. Held the third week of October annually, AWA hosts National Water Week to promote the value of water across Australia, inspiring individuals, education providers, communities, and other organisations such as local businesses and water utilities to […]
Seqwater to back-pay over $7M in lost wages
John Thompson Company news, News, Policy, Stakeholder Engagement 0South East Queensland’s state-owned water supplier, Seqwater will back-pay more than $7 million in unpaid wages, after an investigation by the Fair Work Ombudsman. The Fair Work Ombudsman commenced an investigation in 2020 following underpayment allegations through the media. Seqwater has now signed an Enforceable Undertaking (EU) agreement with the Fair Work Ombudsman to ensure its ongoing compliance with Commonwealth […]
‘Prepare for ‘high-risk’ weather’ says Powercor and SES
John Thompson Asset management, News, Stakeholder Engagement 0Electricity distributor Powercor has joined the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) in urging residents to prepare for a “high-risk” season threatening storms, floods, and power outages. Victoria’s emergency management agencies declared spring to be a “higher risk weather season”, with predictions of wetter than average conditions from September through to November. Victorians, households and communities are now being urged to […]
Finalists announced for 2022 Energy Consumer Engagement Award and Industry Innovation Award
John Thompson Company news, News, Spotlight, Stakeholder Engagement 0The shortlisted finalists for the 2022 Energy Network Industry Consumer Engagement and Industry Innovation awards have been announced. Delivered by Energy Networks Australia (ENA) and Energy Consumers Australia, the 2022 Energy Network Awards recognise Australian energy network businesses that demonstrate outstanding leadership in consumer engagement. This year, the judging panel received seven submissions for the Consumer Engagement Award, four of […]
Collaboration in the water sector: more voices means better ideas
Utility Journalist News, Stakeholder Engagement, Water, Water and Wastewater Treatment 0Water utilities around Australia face similar challenges – population growth, more frequent weather events, drought and climate change means there’s more pressure on our water storages than ever before. But the industry focus remains the same, utilities are committed to providing the community with safe water now and into the future, while dealing with these challenges, managing water quality and […]
Digital utilities is back for 2022!
Utility Journalist Digital Utilities, People and appointments, Stakeholder Engagement 0Utility Magazine is thrilled to announce the return of the Digital Utilities virtual conference for 2022, running from 21–23 June. Digital Utilities is the landmark virtual event for the Australian utility sector, and consists of three unique conferences that will dive deep into how we can create efficient and secure future grids and engage customers in the new digital era. […]
Ozwater’22: Showcasing Australia’s water sector
Mikayla Bridge News, Stakeholder Engagement, Water, Water and Wastewater Treatment 0Ozwater’22, Australia’s most prominent water conference and trade exhibition, will run for three days from 10-12 May at the Brisbane Exhibition Convention Centre, with over 5000 public guests and delegates expected to attend. Ozwater is the Australian Water Association’s (AWA) flagship annual conference and exhibition, the largest water event of its type in the Southern Hemisphere. Alongside the conference, Ozwater’s […]
Stakeholder group formed for Borumba pumped hydro project
Stephanie Nestor Electricity, News, Projects, Spotlight, Stakeholder Engagement 0Powerlink has invited several environmental, agriculture, community groups, and Traditional Owners to join the Borumba Pumped Hydro Project Stakeholder Reference Group to better understand how the project will impact local areas. Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen, Mick de Brenni, said up to 19 members would provide essential direction for the project’s next steps, with the first meeting on 21 […]
AGL rejects Brookfield takeover bid
Mikayla Bridge News, Open tenders and opportunities, Renewable Energy, Stakeholder Engagement 0AGL Energy has rejected an unsolicited bid by Brookfield Consortium to acquire 100 per cent of its shares. The consortium, comprised of Grok Ventures and Canadian company Brookfield Asset Management, proposed to acquire AGL for $7.50 per share by way of a scheme arrangement. The AGL Energy Board considered that the proposal materially undervalued the company on a change of […]
Inaugural disability inclusion plan guides accessible water services
Katie Livingston Features, Retail, Stakeholder Engagement, Water 0Over the next two years, creating more employment pathways and providing a greater role in decision-making forums for people living with disability is among a series of initiatives set to be delivered by SA Water, aimed at ensuring accessible water services for every South Australian. These initiatives make up 39 key actions in SA Water’s inaugural Disability Access and Inclusion […]
Health of the NEM: triaging a critical electricity system
Imogen Hartmann Batteries & Storage, Demand management, Digital Utilities, Electricity, Features, Renewable Energy, Retail, Smart meters, Stakeholder Engagement 0by Imogen Hartmann, Journalist, Utility magazine At the beginning of 2021, the Energy Security Board (ESB) handed down its 2020 Health of the National Electricity Market (NEM) report, the fourth annual report measuring the health of the NEM against six strategic energy objectives. With increasing renewable generation simultaneously improving emissions reduction and threatening security, plus an imminent technology boom underpinned […]
Community partners
Katie Livingston Maintenance, Projects, Sponsored Editorial, Stakeholder Engagement, Water 0Programmed has a strong network of partners, who we rely on daily to assist us in servicing the many communities we serve for our customers. These partnerships were called into action when a water main burst in the middle of peak hour traffic, affecting three lanes and tram lines, shutting down two of the busiest city blocks in Melbourne. Together […]
Consumers to inform DER initiatives
Imogen Hartmann Company news, Electricity, News, Projects, Spotlight, Stakeholder Engagement 0The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) will provide $446,000 to UPowr to investigate the use of customer insights in drafting Distributed Energy Resources (DER) initiatives. The project aims to demonstrate how a deeper understanding of customers can be used to increase their willingness to participate in DER orchestration programs by reshaping the design, engagement, communication and presentation of these programs […]
Community consultations kick off NSW’s first water strategy
Imogen Hartmann News, Projects, Spotlight, Stakeholder Engagement, Sustainability, Water 0Community consultations have begun on NSW’s 20-year statewide water strategy – the first of its kind – which has been designed to strengthen regional and metropolitan water services. NSW Minister for Water, Property and Housing, Melinda Pavey, said the recent drought, which followed on quickly from the Millennium Drought, highlighted that water resources are coming under increasing pressure from a […]
An evolving ecosystem: Yarra Valley Water’s award-winning customer experience practice
Charlotte Pordage Features, Retail, Stakeholder Engagement, Water 0In October 2020, Yarra Valley Water won Customer Experience (CX) Team of the Year at the Ashton Media CX Awards. The water utility was recognised for its ‘outside-in’ approach to identifying opportunities across the customer journey and delivering innovative solutions to address customers’ needs. Yarra Valley Water said this was all made possible through the creation of the Customer Experience […]
Community walkathon makes strides towards water equality
Journalist Sponsored Editorial, Stakeholder Engagement, Water 0Charitable giving is heavily entwined in Australian and New Zealand culture, with up to 80 per cent of Australians and New Zealanders donating to heartfelt causes annually. Throughout COVID-19, the charitable sector has seen a considerable downturn in the number of donations pouring in. In response, charities such as WaterAid Australia has had to adapt the way it seeks donations […]
Seqwater launches updated public safety app
Imogen Hartmann Company news, Digital Utilities, News, Safety and Training, Stakeholder Engagement, Water 0Seqwater has launched an improved version of its free public safety app ahead of South East Queensland’s summer storm season to keep residents up to date on water supply and recreation news. The Seqwater app, originally launched in November 2016, provides users with important safety information about dam releases, lake closure alerts and water supply levels across the authority’s 26 […]
Networks renewed: an Australian-first voltage management trial
Charlotte Pordage Digital Utilities, Electricity, Features, Renewable Energy, Solar, Stakeholder Engagement 0Across Australia, and particularly in NSW, the uptake of rooftop solar has soared, with more than 450,000 premises across the state having solar panel installations, providing 5GW of generation power. From an environmental position this is encouraging to see, however, an increase in uptake brings emerging challenges. One such challenge for electricity networks is maintaining voltage within 216- 253V, which […]
Energy Charter seeks public feedback on industry disclosures
Imogen Hartmann Electricity, News, Projects, Stakeholder Engagement 0The Independent Accountability Panel is seeking public feedback on the disclosures of 19 Australian energy companies, all of which are signatories to the Energy Charter. Over the past 12 months through the Energy Charter, signatories have collectively: Produced a focused awareness campaign during COVID-19 to inform customers of the help available to them. This highlighted opportunities to discuss bills and […]
Toowoomba Regional Council smart meter project open for proposals
Imogen Hartmann Digital Utilities, News, Projects, Smart meters, Stakeholder Engagement, Water 0Toowoomba Regional Council is preparing to roll out smart water meters and has posted a Request for Proposal for the latest technology to the open market. Water and Waste Committee Chair, Cr Rebecca Vonhoff, said the Request for Proposal will ensure that commercial providers can meet council’s requirements. “The smart water meters will bring significant benefits,” Cr Vonhoff said. “The […]
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