Thought Leadership

31 January, 2023

Modelling has a very important role in every sphere of engineering. Complex mathematic models help us better predict and understand behaviours and performance so that we can solve technical problems, push the boundaries of applied science, and optimise construction and manufacturing. We use finite element models (FEM) to determine the forces, stresses and deflections of […]

20 September, 2022

Throughout the renewable energy sector, there are plenty of examples where decisions made during the planning and procurement phases have caused difficulty during construction and affected future operations. A smoother construction process is to everyone’s advantage – avoiding cost blow-outs and time over-runs, and a lot of unnecessary stress and sweat. An experienced Owner’s Engineer […]

13 August, 2020

While some aspects of fieldwork can be modified through technological innovation, there are other things that simply can’t be done without getting out on the ground or in the water. How can we make fieldwork not only efficient and effective, but also COVID-safe?

2 June, 2020

It’s a major challenge to keep an existing local project running during these tricky times (let alone an interstate or international project!), but how can we start new projects as the ground shifts around us and as regulations around Australia change?

28 April, 2020

A vital part of the success of all projects, whether they are new or operational, is maintaining progress towards milestones and retaining currency in the social and regulatory realms. How can we achieve this during a global pandemic?

12 December, 2019

For your pumped hydro project to be suited to future energy market conditions, you need to understand the technology options available – because pumped hydro plant is not one-size-fits-all.

6 June, 2019

How can a small island become a giant battery for a nation? We’re finding the answers in increasing interconnection, developing new pumped hydro and repurposing our existing hydropower assets.

7 May, 2019

Even a single day of load shedding makes people doubt the national grid’s robustness. How will the grid cope if we experience extreme weather conditions more often?

14 February, 2019

Examples from around the world demonstrate the devastating consequences of dam failures. Safety must be every dam owner’s key concern, but how should action be prioritised across a large portfolio of dams?

17 December, 2018

New functionality, increased visibility of plant, greater security … SCADA systems are rapidly advancing. So, should you stick with what you have, upgrade some components, or embrace a complete replacement?

10 October, 2018

In the hydropower sector, we’re all trying to do more with less. And as hydropower assets age, there’s always more to be done...

26 September, 2018

The failure of a dam in July 2018 in Laos highlights again how crucial it is that dams are designed, constructed and operated safely – regardless of their size...

23 August, 2018

Renewables are now the cheapest form of new energy generation, but to make variable renewables ‘dispatchable’, we need to add storage...

6 August, 2018

Although hydropower is older than wind and solar generation and battery storage, its role in Australia and around the world has never been more important...

4 July, 2018

Building, maintaining and operating power and water assets involves a level of environmental risk. If you can identify and manage these risks early, your projects or operations are far less likely to run into trouble down the track...

5 June, 2018

Sedimentation is a problem for water storages, particularly in Asia. It is a major concern for all communities and industries that depend on water storages for water, food and energy security...

10 May, 2018

Whether on-grid or off-grid, hybrid renewable energy systems offer exciting potential for achieving a sustainable and reliable power supply...

26 April, 2018

Effective engagement can reduce community opposition to a solar farm, but, better yet, it has the potential to create a level of community support that results in locals themselves promoting it...

3 April, 2018

Ambitious renewables targets, movements away from thermal generation, increasing demand for electricity … it’s boom time for renewables around the world. Yet the global energy transformation brings some challenges...

14 March, 2018

As Australia replaces retiring coal generation with renewables, can we achieve an energy future that is affordable and sustainable as well as reliable?

29 January, 2018

Cities in flood-prone areas have much to gain from effective flood forecasting, because they have so much to lose through flood damage to property and business...

22 January, 2018

Location, location, location!’ It’s a familiar catch-phrase in the real estate industry, but it’s just as relevant in the power and water sector...

30 November, 2017

Flood forecasting is critical for protecting infrastructure and public safety.

1 November, 2017

Technology and expectations are constantly evolving for the dam engineer but the ultimate goal remains the same: safe, lasting dams. Are you fully equipped to make that target a reality?

27 September, 2017

Big data and advances in artificial intelligence hold extraordinary potential for transforming the energy sector. But is change in the wind sector likely to be transformational, or can we expect only incremental performance improvement?

12 September, 2017

On any large-scale renewable energy project, every opportunity to reduce costs counts...

11 August, 2017

A sustainable grid needs sustainable energy sources. While there’s no doubt that it makes sense to store renewable energy, whether in batteries or in a pumped hydro scheme, just how sustainable are these technologies?

14 July, 2017

Climate change presents major risks for power and water businesses. To best prepare for the impacts of extreme or changing weather conditions, asset managers need to act now to build climate resilience into operations and ongoing risk management...

21 June, 2017

Two very different storage technologies – one old, one new; one that takes years to build, one that can be built ‘within 100 days (or it’s free)’. How else do they differ, and is there a place for both?

31 May, 2017

Global declines in water storage are increasingly troubling. With greater hydrological variability due to climate change, more storage will be vital to provide the same level of security of water, food and energy...

18 April, 2017

The potential for successful large-scale solar in Australia is enormous, but problems with financing can spell death for your project...

29 March, 2017

As the network continues to incorporate increasing levels of inverter-based asynchronous generation such as wind and solar, connection standards in the weakening grid are tighter than ever before...

6 March, 2017

Is designing a solar farm child’s play… a simple matter of snapping some Lego together? Not if you’re after maximum efficiency, operability and value...

22 February, 2017

With energy reliability a hot topic in Australia, eyes are now turning to pumped storage hydropower… but what has been holding it back?

12 December, 2016

For dam owners, measuring the right things in the right locations is essential for a successful dam safety program...

30 November, 2016

Planning regimes for large-scale infrastructure are rarely simple. Investing time and energy in planning for project approvals makes it more likely that your solar project will succeed...

24 October, 2016

Not fully understanding the geological conditions is one of the biggest risks in a hydropower project, and can lead to large cost blow-outs, major repairs and even public safety issues...

5 October, 2016

A portfolio risk assessment allows owners of dams and other water assets to see the bigger picture of how to prioritise their efforts and resources to achieve the best safety result across their whole portfolio...

12 September, 2016

Perhaps the greatest gift to any agricultural region is increased certainty of reliable, available water...

6 September, 2016

In recent years, India has emerged as a world leader in renewable energy and this growth is presenting opportunities for businesses looking to diversify their activities.

2 August, 2016

If you are planning a utility-scale solar development, how can you avoid the potential pitfalls and maximise success?

13 July, 2016

So, you want to develop a hydropower project? Any hydropower development is a major undertaking, so you need to be sure you get it right...

26 May, 2016

What do you need to know to minimise your risk and maximise the value of your commercial-scale solar and storage system?

12 May, 2016

There is banter doing the rounds of social media: One person asks, ‘What if we develop our people and they leave?’ The retort that quickly follows is, ‘What if we don’t develop our people and they stay?’

8 April, 2016

How can distribution network service providers best take advantage of the emerging opportunities presented by...

15 March, 2016

All power and water projects involve risks. The key to project success and sustainability is being able to...

18 February, 2016

For power and water businesses, information is one of the most valuable assets. But good data you can’t find or use is a wasted opportunity...

4 February, 2016

Like having a pile of puzzle pieces but no box, are you drowning in data but unsure what it is telling you about your power and water assets?

1 December, 2015

An arc flash is one of the greatest dangers electrical workers face, with potentially tragic consequences...

19 November, 2015

Whether your focus is on a single dam or a whole portfolio, a risk assessment process helps you decide how best to intervene, and when, to get the maximum improvement...

12 October, 2015

Hydropower stations can pose significant safety risks to those who work in them, but there is no excuse for injury or death in our workplaces...

23 September, 2015

Because electricity has inherent risks with serious consequences, safety should always be a fundamental concern of consultants and clients...

27 August, 2015

As the electricity sector is revolutionised by new distributed generation and storage, can all the players survive?

11 August, 2015

Almost every day, somewhere in the world, floods are putting lives at risk and causing major damage and financial impacts to...

1 July, 2015

A lot of the talk about the ‘death spiral’ in the demand for electricity from the grid in Australia has centred on the distribution end of the equation and the downside or asset risk associated with ‘disruptive’ technologies such as solar PV and storage...

11 June, 2015

The remote Ok Menga hydropower station in the Western Province of PNG is vital to the operation of the Ok Tedi mine. It offers an example of just how expensive it can be when ageing power stations deteriorate and become increasingly unreliable

26 May, 2015

When you are considering investing in a renewable energy project, a thorough due diligence investigation can identify the costs, benefits and risks, and lead to well-informed decisions...

14 May, 2015

Climate change poses new uncertainties and risks to power and water asset developers, operators and financiers, in addition to the challenges already facing these sectors. Higher temperatures, changes in water availability and rainfall, more frequent and severe weather events, and natural disasters may pose threats to...

21 April, 2015

Many countries are experiencing huge increases in distributed generation. Utilities are wondering whether it's a blessing or a curse

26 March, 2015

Dam safety is a crucial aspect of modern dam building. Ensuring the safety of existing dams is a key concern of any dam owner, whether the dam is for generating power...

23 March, 2015

Remote area power systems that integrate renewable energy sources such as solar and wind with storage or diesel backup are increasingly allowing remote communities to become more self-sufficient and sustainable...

21 March, 2015

In many developing nations, governments and utilities are scrambling to bring much-needed power to their people and industries to improve quality of life and...