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Entura specialist recognised for data management expertise at 12d Tech Forum

September 5, 2024

Entura’s Andrew Shaw, Senior Technical Officer Civil, has been recognised for his data management expertise at the recent 12d Tech Forum held in Brisbane.

Andrew received the data management award for his contributions to Hydro Tasmania’s Battery of the Nation program of works. For the Tarraleah Redevelopment component of Battery of the Nation, he has implemented 12d Model for design and 12d Synergy for data management.

Andrew Shaw (right) receiving his award.

The Entura team’s use of 12d Synergy creates a ‘common data environment’ for optimised workflow, data management and version controls. The team adopted best-practice international standard ISO 19650 naming conventions and executed data management principles across pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) hydropower design elements, allowing all involved in the extensive, multidimensional and multi-disciplinary project to seamlessly store, manage, access and roll-back any version of files throughout the project.

“The use of 12d Synergy and ISO 19650 naming conventions is becoming the standard across sectors such as transport, roads and drainage, where companies have thousands of people all working in the same project files and an obvious need for cohesion and integration,” Andrew explained.

“However, it’s relatively new in Australia’s hydropower and renewable energy sector. Implementing this data management tool for Battery of the Nation demonstrates that a boutique consulting firm like Entura can keep up with other tier-one consulting firms and lead the way in our industry.”

“On a business improvement level, adopting the software and our file-naming conventions made for efficient, streamlined workflows across the various teams working on the project in our different office locations across Australia and in India, with everyone working in a centralised library,” he said.

“This award is a testament to Andrew’s proactive thinking and role as a changemaker in the 12d Synergy space at Entura. Andrew’s excellent work demonstrates Entura’s commitment to using advanced data management techniques and software in an ever-evolving digital landscape, so that we can futureproof our processes and better serve our clients,” said Managing Director, Dr Amanda Ashworth.

“It’s particularly important to Entura, as the consulting arm of Hydro Tasmania, to have been able to make such a valuable contribution so close to home by supporting one of Tasmania’s key energy projects that forms part of the Battery of the Nation vision,” she said.

During the Tech Forum, Andrew delivered a presentation on Entura’s award-winning work, demonstrating how 12d Synergy software technology was a core element in the design process as well as the data management for the Battery of the Nation project.

Applying 12d Synergy and striving for ISO 19650 standards involved several steps, including engaging with stakeholders to determine the asset classes for hydropower, categorising these in line with ISO 19650 conventions, implementing these categories into the common data environment, and training team members across several Entura offices to use the new conventions and processes.

“I really valued the opportunity to attend the tech forum and present the work we do at Entura and the innovative ways we’re harnessing 12d software,” said Andrew.

“Being able to hear from others across a range of sectors and disciplines – surveying, hydrographic and flood modelling, roads and transport – was also insightful. We even heard from one 12d software programmer, Tadgh Gunter, who’s only 18, and is already so knowledgeable – I think it made a few of us in the room feel pretty old!”

Entura has been supporting Hydro Tasmania’s Battery of the Nation initiative since its inception. Upgrade works to the Tarraleah hydropower scheme are currently underway, with construction occurring at Lake King William and the upgrade of Mossy Marsh Dam now complete.