Utility Magazine

The Utility November 2024 digital edition is out now and available to read online. In this issue, we share key insights from Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) Chair, Anna Collyer, and check in with South East Water as it embarks on the largest smart water meter rollout in Australia We also get the latest from Seqwater, EnergyAustralia, Sydney Water, Hydro Tasmania, Melbourne Water, MidCoast Council, Barwon Water and more! Read it all online here:

Essential Energy has embarked on a trial to investigate how traffic sensors on streetlights could enhance energy efficiency, in partnership with AlburyCity Council and Felicity. The six-month trial will see three #data-collecting #sensors attached to #streetlight poles at two key intersections in Albury to gather real-time information about traffic flow. The data will help inform how street lighting technology can create a more #efficient lighting #network, lower light #emissions and conserve #energy. Essential Energy Head of Commercial Services, David Wilson, said the trial is an important part of Essential Energy’s commitment to finding smarter solutions for #customers. “The sensors capture traffic volumes and types and overlay this real-time data onto Australian Road Safety Standards to ensure streetlights are always set at the optimum level for #road #safety,” Mr Wilson said. “By temporarily installing Felicity’s traffic sensors, we are conducting a virtual trial that is looking to improve energy efficiency based on road safety regulations to set a new standard for smart city #infrastructure, highlighting our dedication to #sustainability and safety.” https://lnkd.in/gJyGA-Zr

Testing and commissioning of the Hunter Power Project (HPP) has begun. This first phase of commissioning involves pressure testing the HPP’s approximately 23km network of #pipe infrastructure that will deliver #gas, #diesel and #water to the station’s #generators.  Snowy Hydro Limited said the #HPP will be powered by two of the most gas-efficient turbines available and will be capable of delivering 660MW of #electricity to the grid. This significant amount of #power will make a meaningful difference to supply #reliability, helping the #network cope during hot weather and outages of #transmission lines and other power stations. 

Following a nation-wide recruitment process,Tasmanian Irrigation has announced the appointment of Michael Sylvester as its new CEO. Mr Sylvester is currently CEO of Blueline and will take up the role with Tasmanian Irrigation in March 2025. He has a background in delivering major water infrastructure programs in Tasmania, nationally and internationally in the public and private sectors. Tasmanian Irrigation Board Chair, Kate Vinot, said, “Mike’s track record positions him exceptionally well to oversee a period of growth for the company.”  “Tasmanian Irrigation has a major program of capital works to deliver over the next five years, consisting of around $900 million of new infrastructure funded by irrigators and the State and Federal governments. “Mike’s strong commitment to collaboration with stakeholders, including irrigators, will be key to achieving the growth, community and sustainability benefits of investment in these major, publicly-owned irrigation schemes.” 

Construction of the HumeLink #transmission line is set to commence in early 2025, following all New South Wales and Federal government approvals and the final investment decision by Transgrid’s Board to invest in the $4.89 billion project. Transgrid said the project is expected to deliver more than $1 billion in net benefits for Australian consumers and will provide substantial opportunities for suppliers as well as jobs at both the regional and national levels. Transgrid Group CEO, Brett Redman, said, “Transgrid security holders have agreed to invest $1.5 billion to deliver this critically important infrastructure and this follows their $690 million investment to support the delivery of #VNI #West CPA1 earlier in 2024. “I want to acknowledge the landowners, communities, local contractors, business owners and other stakeholders that we have worked with to prepare #HumeLink and will continue to engage with throughout and after construction. “We will continue to prioritise local employment, training and skills development to provide lasting community benefits, including investing more than $11 million directly into the community to provide enduring social legacy outcomes." 

Yarra Valley Water has appointed Dr Dale Andrea, PhD as its new General Manager Service Futures, who will lead the utility’s #digital transformation with a focus on enhancing #customer experience and business outcomes through process and system improvements.  Dr Andrea will spearhead efforts to integrate operational #technologies with information technology to generate new insights that will improve decision making and inform the development of core services. Yarra Valley Water Managing Director, Pat McCafferty, said the appointment followed a rigorous recruitment process and will strengthen work already underway to transform services around customers’ needs. “We are excited to welcome Dale to our team. His extensive experience and innovative approach will be invaluable as we continue to transform services around the needs of our customers,” Mr McCafferty said. 

The first sod has been turned at Hunter Water’s $530 million #desalination #plant in Belmont, marking the utility’s biggest water infrastructure project since the upgrade of Grahamstown Dam.  Hunter Water Managing Director, Darren Cleary said the start of construction marks a significant milestone in securing a sustainable and #drought-#resilient #water #supply. “Breaking ground on the desalination plant signals our commitment to ensuring a reliable water supply for the region, now and into the future. It is a priority project for Hunter Water, and we are pleased to be working alongside our construction partner John Holland to get the work done. “Building a 30ML per day desalination plant allows us to address the region’s drought risk as quickly as possible and provide a reliable minimum supply of safe drinking water for our customers, even in times of drought. “The plant will be an enduring, integrated and vital part of the Lower Hunter’s water supply system,” Mr Cleary said. 

As the #energy transformation gathers pace, more decentralised, or edge-of-grid, #renewable energy plants need to connect to the grid and, at the same time large, centralised fossil fuel #power #plants are retiring – resulting in inherent instability in the power #grid. We're hearing a lot about how #grid-#forming #inverters can help the sector overcome these challenges, so we asked the experts Hitachi Energy to unpack this technology and the important role it will play in maintaining the stability of our power system.

HISTORY OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY IN AUSTRALIA

The #Alkimos #Seawater #Desalination Plant (ASDP) is one step closer to completion with construction of a 33.5km pipeline now underway. Once complete, the Alkimos to Wanneroo desalination #pipeline project will transfer 50GL of drinking water every year from the new desalination plant at Alkimos to Wanneroo. There, desalinated #water will be added into the Integrated Water Supply Scheme, supplying drinking water to more than 2.5 million people across #Western #Australia. With a 1.6m diameter, this water pipeline is the largest ever constructed by Water Corporation and is sized for current and future stages of the $2.8 billion ASDP.