Entura helps Infigen to connect new grid-scale battery

Specialist power and water consulting firm Entura has been engaged by Infigen Energy to deliver grid connection support services to its new 25 MW / 52 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in South Australia.

The BESS will be located adjacent to Infigen’s existing 278.5 MW Lake Bonney Wind Farm and will be connected to the National Electricity Market (NEM) via the Mayurra substation owned by ElectraNet.

“Entura brings a wealth of expertise in hybrid renewables and generator connection, coupled with previous experience with Lake Bonney Wind Farm and ElectraNet,” said Infigen CEO Mr Ross Rolfe. “We’re pleased to be partnering with Entura in this important project that will deliver improved energy security and reliability of supply for South Australian energy consumers.”  

As part of its scope, Entura has undertaken a grid connection study and is supporting Infigen as it finalises connection arrangements for the BESS.

“Grid-scale batteries play a key role in helping renewables to become dispatchable, allowing wind and solar farms to operate more flexibly and providing greater value to asset owners,” said Donald Vaughan, Entura’s Principal Consultant Electrical Primary Systems. “We’re delighted to be working once again with Infigen in this innovative project that will make a contribution to our client and the local community.”

Entura works with clients across Australia and the Pacific to help them tackle the challenges of creating hybrid renewable energy projects from small, remote locations through to utility-scale. The firm delivers safe and sustainable solutions, drawing on its extensive knowledge of all aspects across the full lifecycle of renewable energy assets, along with expertise in batteries, pumped hydro and other enabling technologies.  

Entura engineers win top gongs for engineering excellence

Specialist power and water consulting firm Entura is committed to its vision of creating safe and sustainable power and water solutions that make a positive and enduring contribution to our clients and communities. Two of its engineers received the top accolades at the Tasmania Engineering Excellence Awards for bringing that vision to life.

Tasmania’s Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff, Lyndon Johnson, Donald Vaughan and Tammy Chu.

Donald Vaughan, Principal Consultant, Electrical Primary Systems, was named Professional Engineer of the Year, and engineer Lyndon Johnson won the Young Professional Engineer of the Year award.

Presented during a gala event in Hobart last night, the Australian Engineering Excellence Awards (AEEA) identify, recognise and reward outstanding achievement in the practice of engineering and service to the profession, promoting industry excellence across engineering projects and professionals, and highlighting the significant contribution engineering makes to communities.

“Donald is an industry authority on the connection of wind and solar farms to weak grids and the power system dynamics of low-inertia networks,” said Tammy Chu, Entura’s Managing Director. “Donald’s knowledge and experience places him at the forefront of efforts in Australia to transition to a renewables-based energy sector and we’re very proud to have him as part of our technical leadership team.”

“Lyndon has pioneered powerful new 3D methods for presenting and interpreting data. His work will improve engineering efficiency and accuracy, and offers safety benefits for power and water assets and for communities,” said Tammy.

Commenting on his award, Donald Vaughan said: “It’s a great honour to receive this award. I’m delighted to be recognised as an advocate for the value of engineering, and for supporting a clean energy future. Enabling more renewable energy in a way that is sympathetic to the needs of the wider power system is a major contribution engineers can make towards the good of communities and the environment.”

Lyndon Johnson said: “Being nominated for this important industry accolade was very encouraging, and I’m thrilled to be named Young Professional Engineer of the Year. I hope as an industry we can keep pushing the boundaries of data and computing technologies for quicker and more accurate problem solving.”

As divisional winners, both Donald and Lyndon automatically progress to consideration for the national Engineer of the Year award, which will be announced later this year.

Project finalists

Two of Entura’s projects were selected as finalists for the Tasmania Engineering Excellence Awards: the Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project in Far North Queensland and the Yap Hybrid Renewable Energy Power System on the North Pacific island of Yap, in the Federated States of Micronesia.

Entura’s comprehensive studies and investigations undertaken for Genex Power’s Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project provided confidence in the configuration, design and feasibility of this significant project, the first pumped hydro energy storage project set to be built in Australia in decades.

“Entura’s successful completion of this feasibility study supports the resurgence of interest in pumped hydro, which is an efficient, cost-effective large-scale energy storage solution,” said Entura’s Principal Consultant, Civil Engineering, Richard Herweynen.

“Australia’s transformation towards high-quality, reliable, affordable and sustainable energy will require large-scale storage to enable weather-dependent ‘intermittent’ renewable generation (such as wind and solar) to be transformed into fully ‘dispatchable’ energy,” said Richard.

On the North Pacific island of Yap, Entura delivered a hybrid renewable energy power system.

“Our team designed and detailed the power system architecture to transform what was a manually operated 100% diesel power station into a flexible, integrated and automated power system including more wind and solar generation combined with efficient diesels,” said Entura’s project manager, Dean Haley.

Entura’s combination of renewable energy generation with an innovative automated integration and control system balances and maintains the security of the energy supply, and also maximises the amount of renewable energy used on the island.

The advanced hybrid power system is enabling Yap to experience up to 70% renewable energy in the system when conditions allow, with an overall average of 17% renewable energy, delivering an annual fuel saving of up to US$500 000. The system architecture is designed to be able to incorporate even higher proportions of renewable energy in the future.

“The hybrid renewable power system will contribute greatly to the nation’s clean energy goals by reducing Yap’s dependence on expensive, emissions-intensive diesel generation. It will provide the sustainable, reliable and affordable power needed to support social and economic development in this remote location,” said Dean.

Entura named Owner’s Engineer for Cattle Hill Wind Farm

Specialist power and water consulting firm Entura has been appointed by Goldwind Australia as Owner’s Engineers for the Cattle Hill Wind Farm in Tasmania.

Located on the eastern shore of Lake Echo in the southern side of Central Tasmania, the wind farm will consist of 48 turbines, producing up to 144 MW of clean renewable electricity. Once operational, the project will provide clean energy to power approximately 63,500 Tasmanian homes each year.

“Entura’s wealth of experience in renewable energy projects around the world, coupled with its intimate knowledge of Tasmania’s power system, will help ensure the successful delivery of this project,” said John Titchen, Managing Director of Goldwind Australia.

Electricity network operator TasNetworks is commencing all works required to connect the wind farm to the Tasmanian grid. Entura is partnering with the principal contractor Zinfra to support TasNetworks’ Waddamana substation and grid augmentation requirements.

“We’re pleased to be partnering again with Goldwind Australia, TasNetworks and Zinfra to help deliver Cattle Hill Wind Farm in our home state of Tasmania,” said Entura Managing Director Tammy Chu. “The project will make a positive and enduring contribution to our clients and the local community, as well as support the State’s future ambitions.”  

Entura recently acted as independent advisor to Goldwind Australia during construction of the White Rock Wind Farm in New South Wales, providing engineering design review and site inspections for the balance of plant contract, which included the main wind farm civil and electrical works. In Tasmania, Entura delivered end-to-end services for a number of wind power projects, including Musselroe, Woolnorth and Studland Bay wind farms.

Entura draws on more than 20 years of experience at the forefront of the industry developing and delivering wind farms in Australia. Around the world, the firm has been involved in more than 100 advanced and operational wind farms with projects totalling greater than 20 000 MW in India, South Africa, Sri Lanka, China, the Philippines, New Zealand and the Pacific.

Entura helps Cook Islands reach renewable energy milestone

Specialist power and water consulting firm Entura has helped the Cook Islands achieve the next milestone in its push to reduce reliance on diesel fuel and move towards the country’s renewable energy goals.

The Cook Islands is a group of 15 small islands in the Pacific, to the north-east of New Zealand. Of the 12 inhabited islands in the group, Entura’s work addresses the conversion of the power supply of six southern islands from mainly diesel generation to solar/battery hybrid systems that will supply 100% of the populations’ energy needs.

The hybrid renewable energy project on the southern island of Mitiaro, the first of the six islands, is now operational and was officially opened last Friday. Mitiaro can now switch off its diesel generators and run entirely on reliable solar and battery power thanks to its new hybrid renewable power system.

Hybrid energy projects on another three southern islands – Atiu, Mangaia and Mauke – will be completed over coming months, followed by a range of other initiatives on a further two islands, Rarotonga and Aitutaki, which have higher power demands. Power systems there will be upgraded to increase levels of renewable energy generation and provide control systems and battery storage technology to manage high levels of renewables.

The new renewable energy developments will expand the island populations’ access to modern, reliable energy services, enable greater energy security and reduce reliance on costly, emissions-intensive diesel fuel.

“Energy security and self-sufficiency are essential for remote islands such as the Cook Islands,” said Entura’s Managing Director, Tammy Chu. “Diesel fuel remains the single largest expense to generate power in these remote locations, so using renewable energy makes good economic sense as well as reducing carbon and other emissions.”

Entura is providing Owner’s Engineer services for these projects, undertaking concept studies and proposing optimum solutions to achieve the project objectives, assessing technical, environmental, social and economic viability, supporting procurement and overseeing implementation.

As well, Entura has delivered strategic advice to assist with energy policy development for the Cook Islands. The Cook Islands Renewable Energy Chart Implementation Plan encapsulates this strategy.

“Enabling safe and sustainable renewable power developments that make a positive and enduring contribution to communities is very important to us, and we are pleased to bring our expertise to assist our Pacific neighbours with their renewable energy journeys,” said Tammy Chu.

Along with the similar systems previously completed on six Northern Group islands, Entura’s work with the six southern island projects will achieve significant progress towards the Cook Islands’ target of 100% renewable energy by 2020.

“The commitment to renewable energy is a fundamental prerequisite to sustainable development,” said Tangi Tereapii, Director of Renewable Energy Development Division at the Cook Islands Government.

“It also underlines the Government’s commitment to addressing climate change, preserving the country’s pristine environment and ecosystems, and also strengthening the level of energy security and therefore sustainable economic growth.”

Funding for the project includes an Asian Development Bank loan of NZD12.98 million, a European Union Grant of €5.3 million, committed funding from the Global Environment Facility of USD4.1 million, a product grant of Pacific Environment Community (PEC) of USD3.9 million alongside government allocation for dedicated resource and land compensation.

Entura to support renewable energy developments in Tonga and Micronesia

Specialist power and water consulting firm Entura has been engaged by the Asian Development Bank to undertake feasibility assessments and due diligence on renewable energy projects to help Tonga and the Federated States of Micronesia achieve their renewable energy targets.

Tonga comprises more than 170 South Pacific islands, many uninhabited, while The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) boasts more than 600 islands spread across the western Pacific Ocean. Like many island nations in the Pacific, Tonga and the FSM are facing the challenges of climate change, which presents enormous and urgent threats.

Renewable energy developments will contribute to the countries’ environmental targets and climate resilience. The government of Tonga has set a 50% renewable energy target by 2020 and has identified 11 projects to achieve this. FSM’s state utilities have identified a set of investments that will contribute towards achieving the aim of 30% annual average renewable energy penetration by 2020 and 50% by 2030, and assist in meeting FSM’s Paris Accord commitment of reducing emissions by 28% by 2025 (from year 2000 levels).

In the first phase of the work, which is already underway, Entura will undertake technical, financial and economic feasibility assessments and due diligence on each of the renewable energy investment projects.

“The FSM is the first Pacific country to submit a country program to the Green Climate Fund and is now set to start developing its nationwide priority projects. These feasibility studies will support both Tonga’s and FSM’s applications to the Green Climate Fund for project finance,” said Entura’s team leader and senior project manager, Dean Haley.

“In the next phase, Entura will support the utilities with project design and procurement support to ensure that the projects can move ahead with confidence.”

As well as helping Tonga and FSM meet their environmental targets, the renewable energy projects will also contribute to climate change adaptation programs for areas already witnessing rising sea levels and associated issues such as erosion of roads and sea walls, increased salinity, and damage to buildings.

New renewable energy developments will also expand the island populations’ access to modern, reliable energy services, enable greater energy security and reduce reliance on costly, emissions-intensive diesel fuel.

Over the years, Entura has successfully delivered a range of renewable energy solutions across the Pacific including remote island projects in the Cook Islands, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Samoa. The firm has developed a world-leading approach to off-grid and fringe-of-grid megawatt-scale development through its experience with hybrid renewables projects.  

Entura clean energy and water institute welcomes Pakistani delegation

Entura’s training division, the Entura clean energy and water institute, is welcoming a delegation from the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), a government-owned public utility maintaining power and water assets in Pakistan.

WAPDA delegates are attending a two week training program on Hydropower Procurement and Contract Management including some modules from The International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC), an international standards organisation for the consulting engineering and construction industries.

As part of the program, attendees also have the opportunity to visit some of Tasmania’s iconic hydropower and water infrastructure assets, including Hydro Tasmania’s Gordon Dam and Power Station.

“We’re delighted to be welcoming another delegation from Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority,” said Dr Amanda Ashworth, Entura clean energy and water institute Business Manager.

“Forward-thinking utilities around the world are starting to see the need to invest in the development of their people as well as their systems and processes to help ensure implementation of sound business strategy.”

This customised training program was designed and is being delivered in conjunction with Entura’s partner organisation, the Asian Institute of Technology.

The Entura clean energy and water institute delivers training in hydropower, wind, solar and water management. Its courses are tailored to upskill businesses, particularly asset owners, in clean energy technologies and water management.

An accredited training organisation in Australia, the Entura clean energy and water institute collaborates with the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Bangkok and Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Kuala Lumpur, to deliver specialised courses in the south and south-east Asian region.

Entura develops Pumped Hydro Atlas of Australia

Specialist power and water consulting firm Entura has been engaged by Hydro Tasmania to develop a practical atlas of pumped hydro energy storage opportunities to support development of dispatchable renewable energy generation.

The atlas has already been applied to inform and enable Hydro Tasmania to shortlist potential pumped hydro sites for the ‘Battery of the Nation’ program in Tasmania. Completed in October 2017, the Pumped Hydro Atlas of Australia identified more than 5000 unique potential sites across Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM) to enable greater penetration of renewables in the country.

“The Pumped Hydro Atlas of Australia produced by Entura is a real-world, relevant resource informing future project development,” said Dale Bryce, Entura’s Director of Customer Strategy and Market Development. “To determine the best possible sites, our analysis took into account not only topographical suitability, but also considered all the practical factors involved in creating a viable and successful project.”

Following an exhaustive process, twenty promising sites were shortlisted for different states with a desktop review of geology, high-level engineering arrangements, and approvals requirements. For each site a map was prepared including locality, land use, planning zones, and key characteristics of the potential project.

Mr Bryce explained that pumped hydro energy storage has the potential to generate rapid response, flexible power for delivery into the NEM. “It’s a highly efficient form of large-scale energy storage that could help mitigate challenges that may come with the introduction of more renewables into the market.”

“Overlaying the outputs of this atlas with any new wind and solar development across the NEM could identify viable dispatchable renewable energy generation hubs with the potential to replace retiring thermal generation assets.”

Entura has completed the Technical Feasibility Study for Genex Power’s Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project in Queensland and is currently supporting pumped hydro project proponents in South Australia, as well as continuing to support the ‘Battery of the Nation’ program. The firm has also been involved in a number of wind, solar and hybrid renewables projects in Australia and internationally, supporting development, grid integration and connection studies.

Entura has worked with clients in more than 30 countries over the past few decades – including India, Laos, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, South Africa and Uganda – assisting with developing, operating and maintaining hydropower assets of all sizes.  

SA Water appoints WSP and Entura to support dams upgrade program

SA Water has appointed global engineering professional services consulting firm WSP and specialist power and water consulting firm Entura to support its ongoing program of dam safety upgrades.

WSP and Entura are partnering to work with and assist SA Water’s Assets, Dam Engineering and Delivery teams by providing Owner’s Engineering Services across some of the projects in SA Water’s dams upgrade program over the next three years.

These services include the provision of technical support and review during all stages of dam safety activities, advice to improve existing technical standards and guidelines, and identifying opportunities for innovation and standardised solutions.

The appointment follows Entura’s previous Dam Portfolio Risk Assessment for SA Water, which provided the foundation for SA Water’s current dam safety upgrade program. The program will help SA Water better manage any major floods and increase the dams’ ability to withstand major earthquakes, aligning them with updated safety guidelines set by the Australian National Committee on Large Dams (ANCOLD).

SA Water owns 17 large dams and manages another two on behalf of the South Australian Government.

SA Water’s General Manager of Asset Operations and Delivery Mark Gobbie said the safe operation of its dams is of paramount importance, and the utility performs regular and extensive safety checks at all of these sites.

“Our ongoing dam safety upgrade program will ensure we can continue this safe management and align the sites with ANCOLD guidelines.”

WSP and Entura will be involved in the planning, design and construction of upgrades at several of SA Water’s dam safety upgrades, as well as some other minor dam-related projects.

“We’re delighted to be partnering with SA Water on their dam safety upgrade program to ensure their assets align with ANCOLD guidelines,” said WSP-Entura Project Director, Marius Jonker.

Entura brings a wealth of dam safety, design and construction support experience to the project. As part of Hydro Tasmania, Australia’s largest renewable energy producer and water manager, Entura draws on more than 100 years of experience of planning, building, managing and maintaining the many dams of Tasmania’s hydroelectric power system.

The firm has also undertaken detailed design for many of Australia’s key new dam projects over the past decade, including Wyaralong Dam and Bromelton Offstream Storage in Queensland, the Samson Brook Pipehead Dam in Western Australia, the enlarged Cotter Dam in the ACT, Suma Park Dam in New South Wales, and the Meander Dam in Tasmania.

WSP engineer projects that help societies grow for lifetimes to come by taking a holistic and sustainable approach to managing the use of water resources and infrastructure. 

Entura clean energy and water institute celebrates five years

Specialist power and water consulting firm Entura is celebrating the fifth anniversary of its training arm, the Entura clean energy and water institute.

A registered training organisation in Australia, the Entura clean energy and water institute was opened in 2012. Since then, it has delivered more than 100 renewable energy training programs to over 1600 participants from 22 countries, amassing more than 6135 training days.

“The Entura clean energy and water institute’s courses and programs cover a full range of power and water subjects for which Entura has achieved a reputation for excellence,” said Dr Amanda Ashworth, Business Manager.

“We develop our courses with a clear focus on prominent drivers in the industry such as minimising risk and increasing business certainty, whether technical, commercial, social or environmental. We regularly deliver short courses on a range of topics and can develop customised training programs to meet specific business requirements.”

Short course programs cover a range of topics including hydropower, dam safety, water management, renewable energy, sustainability, project financing, remote area power, electrical and grid connection. In addition, the institute offers a number of Australian vocational qualifications and skills sets in hydropower operations, dam safety, and water treatment.

Entura’s clients highly values its training offerings because of the firm’s deep asset-owner and operator knowledge and experience, and the customisation of training to the clients’ particular assets or challenges.  

Visits to Entura’s base in Tasmania enable clients to explore working hydropower, irrigation, water management and electrical infrastructure assets, through collaboration with Entura’s partners and clients.

“Our courses are developed and delivered by practising professionals working on clean energy and water projects, as well as on the world-class operating power and water assets of Hydro Tasmania,” said Amanda.

The Entura clean energy and water institute collaborates with the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok and Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Kuala Lumpur. The institute designs and delivers training all over the Asia-Pacific region, for a range of clients including Sarawak Energy Berhad and Tenaga Nasional Berhad in Malaysia, Water and Power Development Authority in Pakistan, and TasWater in Australia.

“Our partnership with Entura has yielded outstanding value for our professional development programs for water and power executives from South Asian nations, as well as training visits for our engineering students,” said Dr Faiz Shah, Energy Development, Services Management and Technology Program Director, Asian Institute of Technology Extension (AITE).

“AITE’s partnership with the Entura clean energy and water institute brings together the right blend of technical expertise, industry experience, and professional rigour. The quality of the learning experience, combined with the opportunity to visit world class assets amid Tasmania’s natural beauty, has our clients wanting to return again and again, and we look forward to many more years of collaboration with Entura.”

Entura team awarded for Yap renewable energy development project

Specialist power and water consulting firm Entura celebrated its annual Entura Awards.

The awards recognise Entura’s employees and teams who have demonstrated outstanding behaviour or ability contributing to the culture and success of the firm.

The project team behind the energy transformation on the North Pacific island of Yap won the top gong, the “Entura Way” Award.

The Yap renewable energy project team was recognised for technical leadership, innovation and client-focused service delivery in the two-year project to deliver sustainable and renewable power for the remote island via an integrated renewable energy power system.

The remote area power system aims to reduce Yap’s dependence on diesel generation and contribute to its clean energy goals, and provide the reliable power required to support social and economic development.

A combination of 825kW of wind generation and 500kW of solar power are supported by three high-speed, responsive diesel generators, enabling Yap to experience up to 70% instantaneous renewable penetration when conditions allow, and to deliver an annual fuel saving of up to US$500 000.

The Entura team exceeded the client’s expectations, developing an advanced hybrid power system with architecture that will meet current needs but also provide the foundation for further progression towards higher renewable energy penetration.

Entura project manager Dean Haley said, “Our successful delivery of the renewable energy solution in Yap has demonstrated Entura’s expertise in delivering innovative and effective remote area power solutions, and is opening new business opportunities for similar developments across the Pacific.”

Over the years, Entura has successfully delivered a range of renewable energy solutions across the Pacific including remote island projects in the Cook Islands, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Samoa, and most recently in Micronesia and Tonga.

Members of the Yap team have also provided facilitated training programs through Entura’s clean energy and water institute.

Read more about Entura’s expertise in remote area power systems, the Yap project, a remote area power project in the Cook Islands, and discover more about planning renewable energy journeys in the Pacific.

Entura and IPM joint finalists at Training Awards 2017

Specialist power and water consulting firm Entura and the Institute of Project Management (IPM) were a finalist at the Industry Collaboration Award in the Business and Training Provider category of the 2017 Tasmanian Training Awards.

“We’re delighted to have been partnering with IPM to help develop project management capability for our people and to share this knowledge with the industry more broadly,” said Mark Wilson, Delivery Manager at Entura, who is also involved with facilitating project management training.

“With more than 400 projects in Entura’s work program, any improvements in our ability to deliver projects more effectively and efficiently benefits the business and the project stakeholders.”   

IPM and Entura started working together in early 2013 with the delivery of traditional project management skill-set training. Following the success of that program, the organisations began discussing how IPM’s program of nationally accredited project management education could be fully integrated into the day-to-day work activities of Entura.

“We’re thrilled about being selected as a finalist for this award with Entura, which really celebrates our long-term collaboration,” said Ian McMahon, IPM Managing Director. “As a result of our work, IPM continues to deliver project management training programs that combine Entura’s hard-earned body of project knowledge and global best-practice to realise direct workplace benefits.”

The Tasmanian Training Awards are conducted annually by Skills Tasmania, Department of State Growth. The awards recognise the achievements of apprentices, trainees and vocational students, and also recognise industry, employers and training organisations dedicated to providing high-quality training and improving the workforce skills.

Delta Electricity engages Entura to support Vales Point solar farm

Specialist power and water consulting firm Entura has been appointed by Delta Electricity to provide engineering services to support the development of the proposed Vales Point power station solar farm.

Located near the Vales Point coal power station, on the southern shores of Lake Macquarie, in New South Wales’ Central Coast, the solar photovoltaic facility is expected to be established on approximately 70 hectares of rehabilitated land. An initial solar capacity assessment indicates the potential for up to 45 MW of renewable energy to be generated by 170,000 solar panels.

Entura will deliver specialist consulting services related to functional design, EPC specifications and grid connection studies to advance the developmental work undertaken so far, and support Delta Electricity with progressing towards achieving financial closure for the project.

“Entura’s renewable energy credentials and expertise makes them the ideal partner to help us with advancing the development of the Vales Point solar farm and preparing it for financial closure,” said Delta Electricity Company Secretary Steve Gurney.

“This is an exciting project for Delta Electricity in terms of its scale and the potential for expansion down the track providing a significant contribution to state and federal government renewable energy targets.”

The proposed solar project is expected to involve a capital investment in excess of $30 million and generate 100 construction jobs over 18 months. Once environmental and development approvals are obtained, a final investment decision will be made and construction could commence in 2018. 

Commenting on the appointment, Entura’s Director Customer Strategy and Market Development Dale Bryce said: “We’re pleased to be selected to work on this exciting project that will contribute to the transition of regional New South Wales to a cleaner, renewable energy generation future.”

Entura has significant renewable energy development experience from pre-feasibility right through to commissioning, optimising operations and asset management of utility-scale solar farms and wind farms.  

Partnering with clients in Australia and across the Asia-Pacific region, the firm has built a strong understanding of solar layout design optimisation, detailed electrical design, power system studies and grid connection issues, storage and the integration of hybrid renewable energy projects.

Latrobe Council turns to Entura for flood management study

Specialist power and water consulting firm Entura has been engaged by Latrobe Council to assess flood management options for the historic town.

Situated on the north-west coast of Tasmania, Latrobe was significantly affected by flooding from the Mersey River and Kings Creek in June 2016. The devastating event led to significant property damage and the loss of one life.

Entura will undertake a study to examine the potential for a levee to protect the town from Mersey River flooding and the enhancement or addition of detention storage in Kings Creek.

“The aim of the study is to protect the town from major flooding where possible,” said David Fuller, Principal Consultant Water Manager and Technology at Entura. “A first step in the project will be to ensure existing monitoring information is more readily available for proactive flood management action by Council staff.”

The study is expected to be completed by April 2018.

“We are pleased to be partnering with Entura in this study,” Mayor Peter Freshney said. “Ideally this study will provide clear direction and alternatives to mitigate against flooding in the Latrobe Township and if so we will be seeking financial assistance from both the Federal and State Governments to assist in what will most likely be a major infrastructure project.”

“Conversely if the study determines that we cannot mitigate against future flood events then we will make provision and maintenance of a robust, ‘state of the art’ flood warning system our priority,” said Mayor Freshney

Flood modelling is a critical part of managing risk and public safety risks across flood-prone regions. As part of Hydro Tasmania, Australia’s largest water manager and renewable energy producer, Entura provides real-time inflow forecasts and data management solutions to help manage Hydro Tasmania’s own extensive catchments and a complex system including 55 major dams.

“Entura has built on its experience in hydropower to offer flood forecasting expertise to a range of clients throughout the Asia-Pacific region for other important applications, such as providing the advanced flood warnings needed to protect assets and communities at risk, whether in regional areas like Latrobe or a large metropolis like Kuala Lumpur,” said Mr Fuller.

Seqwater appoints Aurecon and Entura to support Sideling Creek Dam upgrade

Queensland bulk water authority Seqwater has appointed global engineering and infrastructure advisory firm Aurecon and specialist power and water consulting firm Entura to support the Sideling Creek Dam upgrade.

Aurecon and Entura are partnering to deliver detailed design advisory for the upgrade of Sideling Creek Dam. The appointment follows a dam safety review and recent completion of complementary investigations and preliminary design of the upgrade work.

Sideling Creek Dam is located in the Moreton Bay regional area, about 30 km north of Brisbane. The 23 metre high zoned earthfill dam was commissioned in 1957 and upgraded in 1969. It consists of a 500 metre long embankment main dam and an 8 metre high, 70 metre long embankment saddle dam. 

“The Sideling Creek Dam upgrade is a critical part of Seqwater’s Dam Improvement Program,” said Colin Thompson, Seqwater’s Project Manager.

“The approved option for the upgrade involves strengthening the main dam and spillway and will allow the dam to be restored to its original full supply level once the upgrade is complete.”

“We’re delighted to be working with Seqwater on the Sideling Creek Dam upgrade to ensure it meets the Queensland dam safety guidelines into the future,” said Aurecon-Entura Project Director, David Thomas.

Entura brings a wealth of dam safety, design and construction support experience to the project. As part of Hydro Tasmania, Australia’s largest renewable energy producer and water manager, Entura draws on more than 100 years of experience of planning, building, managing and maintaining the many dams of Tasmania’s hydroelectric power system.

Aurecon brings outstanding geotechnical expertise as well as modelling and approvals experience. The two firms have been involved in other upgrade projects for Seqwater including Cooloolabin Dam upgrade and Moogerah Dam upgrade.

Entura has undertaken detailed design for many of Australia’s key new dam projects over the past decade, including Wyaralong Dam and Bromelton Off stream Storage in Queensland, the Samson Brook Pipehead Dam in Western Australia, the enlarged Cotter Dam in the ACT,  Suma Park Dam in New South Wales and the Meander Dam in Tasmania.

Canadian Solar appoints Entura as Owner’s Engineer for two solar farms in Queensland

Specialist power and water consulting firm Entura has been appointed by Canadian Solar, one of the world’s largest solar companies, as Owner’s Engineer for two solar farms in Queensland.

The two solar power projects, located in Longreach and Oakey, Queensland, are 17 MWdc and 30 MWdc each in size. Both projects have been awarded funding by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). With the 20-year Queensland government-backed Contract for Difference in place, both of the projects are expected to start construction in May 2017 and reach Commercial Operations Date in the first quarter of 2018.

As Owner’s Engineer, Entura will review designs, documentation, calculations and reports produced by the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor to ensure they are fit for purpose and in accordance with Australian standards and regulations.

“We’re pleased to partner with Entura on the Oakey and Longreach solar farms,” said Daniel Ruoss, General Manager at Canadian Solar. “Working with Entura and leveraging on our strong local and global project development and execution capabilities, and with the support from Local and Federal Government, we will continue to expand and execute our quality solar project pipeline in Australia, thereby making a significant contribution to the adoption of clean solar energy in the country.”

Commenting on the appointment, Entura Managing Director Tammy Chu said: “We’re pleased to partner with Canadian Solar on these exciting projects that will contribute to the introduction of more renewable energy to the Australian National Electricity Market.”

Entura has significant renewable energy development experience from pre-feasibility right through to commissioning, optimising operations and asset management of remote area off-grid power systems and utility-scale solar farms.  

Partnering with clients in Australia and across the Asia-Pacific region, the firm has built a strong understanding of solar layout design optimisation, detailed electrical design, power system studies and grid connection issues, storage and the integration of hybrid renewable energy projects.

PowerChina engages Entura to advise on Uganda’s largest hydropower project

Specialist power and water consulting firm Entura has been engaged by PowerChina Huadong to deliver hydropower advisory services for the 600 MW Karuma Hydropower Project.

Located in northern Uganda, the Karuma Hydropower Project includes a 314m long diversion weir fitted with radial gates, six shafts and associated power tunnels leading to an underground power house containing six 100 MW Francis turbines and two 8.6km long tailrace tunnels. When completed, it will be the largest power station in the country.

PowerChina Huadong is the lead designer for the project and sister-company, SinoHydro, the engineering, procurement and construction contractor. Entura will assist PowerChina Huadong with managing a range of project stakeholders, undertaking design reviews, and advising on compliance with international standards.

“We’re pleased to welcome Entura to the Karuma project team,” said Mr Wu Haifeng, PowerChina Huadong’s Deputy Design Project Manager for the Karuma Hydropower Project. “Entura brings a wealth of expertise in hydropower design and international standards, which will make an invaluable contribution to the delivery of this landmark project for the people of Uganda.”

Commenting on the appointment, Entura’s Managing Director Tammy Chu said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with PowerChina Huadong on this significant and complex project.”

“We’re confident that our hydropower design expertise and knowledge of international standards, built up through the delivery of our own designs and review of other international projects, will improve the efficiency of the design approval process.”

The Karuma Hydropower Project is expected to be completed by the end of 2018.

As part of Hydro Tasmania, Australia’s largest renewable energy producer and water manager, Entura draws on more than 100 years of experience of planning, building, managing and maintaining the many assets of Tasmania’s hydroelectric power system.

The firm has been working with clients around the globe, undertaking the design of a number of international hydropower projects over the past decade, including Dordi Khola in Nepal, Nam Pha Gnai in Laos, and Neusberg in South Africa.

Entura appoints Principal Consultant, Secondary Electrical Engineering

Specialist power and water consulting firm Entura has appointed David Wilkey to the role of Principal Consultant, Secondary Electrical Engineering, based in its Melbourne office, in Australia.

David has more than 25 years’ consulting experience in electrical engineering across Australia and New Zealand, focusing on the delivery of secondary systems, power systems engineering and advisory to clients in the power sector. He joined Entura in 2006 as an electrical engineer and was subsequently promoted to more senior roles.

“We’re pleased to appoint David to Entura’s technical leadership team,” said Angus Swindon, Power and Water Director at Entura. “For more than a decade with the firm, David has successfully partnered with clients to deliver commercial and technically feasible solutions and I’m confident that his leadership will continue to drive and inspire our power engineering team.”

David’s expertise spans all areas of electrical engineering with a particular focus on electrical protection, power system studies and rotating electrical machines. He has a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Canterbury and a Graduate Diploma in Science (Mathematics) from Massey University.

“Appropriate electrical engineering advice is critical for asset owners developing new power infrastructure or trying to extend or maximise the life of existing power assets,” said David Wilkey. “I’m very excited about the opportunity to join Entura’s technical leadership team and play a more active role in the development of our team to ensure we continue to deliver the highest level of power engineering guidance and support to our clients.”

Prior to joining Entura, David held a number of consulting and technical roles in organisations including SKM Australia, SKM New Zealand, Beca and New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Ltd.

As part of Hydro Tasmania, Australia’s largest renewable energy producer and water manager, Entura has extensive practical knowledge of all commercial aspects of power and water infrastructure acquisition, planning, development, construction and operation. The firm has assisted a number of clients in Australia and across the Asia-Pacific region with practical and effective power engineering solutions for new developments and for upgrading ageing infrastructure.

Entura partners with RCR Tomlinson to deliver Yaloak South Wind Farm

Specialist power and water consulting firm Entura is partnering with engineering and infrastructure company RCR Tomlinson to deliver Pacific Hydro’s 30MW Yaloak South Wind Farm in Victoria, Australia.

RCR’s scope of work includes engineering, procurement, construction (EPC) and commissioning of the Balance of Plant works, which comprises site access roads, hardstands, fences, drainage, wind turbine foundations, substation, electrical reticulation and control system. The work will be undertaken with RCR’s joint venture partner WBHO Infrastructure. Entura will undertake the electrical Balance of Plant design of substations and Medium-Voltage (MV) collection system.

Located at the western end of the Parwan Valley, near Ballan, approximately one hour from Melbourne, the 30MW Yaloak South Wind Farm will comprise 14 Senvion turbines. When completed, the wind farm will be capable of producing enough electricity to power 15,700 homes and abate approximately 70,667 tonnes of greenhouse gas pollution per year.

Commenting on the appointment, Entura Managing Director Tammy Chu said: “We’re delighted to be working with RCR on this exciting project that will contribute to the introduction of more renewable energy to the Australian National Electricity Market.”

This engagement follows the appointment of Entura as independent advisor to Goldwind Australia during construction of the White Rock Wind Farm to provide engineering design review and site inspections for the balance of plant contract, which includes the main wind farm civil and electrical works.

As part of Hydro Tasmania, Australia’s largest renewable energy producer, Entura can draw on more than 20 years of experience developing and delivering wind farms at the forefront of the industry in Australia. Around the world, the firm has also been involved in more than 100 advanced and operational wind farm projects totalling over 20 000 MW in India, South Africa, Sri Lanka, China, the Philippines, New Zealand and the Pacific.

Marshall Islands turns to Entura for renewable energy solutions

Specialist power and water consulting firm Entura has been engaged by the Asian Development Bank to deliver renewable energy strategic advice and solutions to help the Republic of the Marshall Islands to achieve its renewable energy target.

The Marshall Islands is a sprawling chain of volcanic islands and coral atolls in the central Pacific Ocean, between Hawaii and the Philippines. Like many island nations in the Pacific, the Marshall Islands is facing the challenges of climate change, which is the greatest threat to its low-lying atolls and to its people.

As part of its National Energy Action Plan, the country has a target of 20 per cent renewable energy generation by 2020 to reduce its reliance on diesel fuel and foster its transition to clean energy.

“Energy security and self-sufficiency are essential for remote locations such as the Marshall Islands,” said Entura’s Managing Director, Tammy Chu. “Diesel fuel remains the single largest expense to generate power in these remote locations, so using renewable energy makes good economic sense.”

Entura is working closely with The Marshalls Energy Company (MEC) to assist it to meet the nation’s renewable energy target. Funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the work has three streams of activity: review of the local power system and preparation of an investment implementation master plan; review of financial management practices and tariff structures; and capacity building.

“We will initially undertake a thorough assessment of the entire power system assets to identify any immediate improvements and efficiency gains and to define pathways to achieving 20 per cent renewable energy penetration into the network,” explained Dusan Nikolic, senior electrical engineer at Entura.

“Once we determine if additional generation or enabling technologies are required, we will assess their feasibility and provide recommendations for implementation.”

Following this phase Entura will review MEC’s financial management systems and practices and its capacity to comply with ADB funding requirements. The audit will also assess cost structures to identify potential efficiency improvements and review tariff structures to recover costs. This will include a poverty impact analysis of proposed changes in the electricity tariff structure to help mitigate impacts of any residential tariff increases on the poor.

The third stream of work, capacity building and institutional strengthening, is a key output of the project. Mr Nikolic said that developing practical training for local operations and maintenance workers to enhance their ability to manage the day-to-day operation of renewable energy systems both now and into the future is fundamental for MEC’s long-term success.

“Our training program will focus on improving the capacity and capability of those responsible for operating and maintaining the assets and those tasked with assessing the viability of potential projects, procurement, and the financial management systems and tariff structures.”

Delivered by the Entura clean energy and water institute, training will include power system modelling, procurement methods and process, and enhanced financial systems.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2017.

Entura has developed a world-leading approach to off-grid and fringe-of-grid megawatt-scale development through its experience with hybrid off-grid systems and remote area power systems projects. The firm works with utilities, mining companies and remote communities as an independent advisor or implementation partner across the full lifecycle, from concept development to system operation.

Integrated water management system takes top environmental engineering award

Specialist power and water consulting firm Entura, Tasmanian Irrigation and Water Solutions Pty Ltd won the Environmental Engineering Excellence Award for the Meander Dam integrated water management system at the 2016 Australian Engineering Excellence Awards in Brisbane last night.

Hosted by Engineers Australia, the Australian Engineering Excellence Awards seek to identify, recognise and reward outstanding achievement in the practice of engineering and service to the profession, promoting industry excellence across engineering projects and engineering professionals.

The Environmental Engineering Excellence Award recognises achievement in sound environmental practice and in the sustainable use of natural resources. It also recognises the significance of the work as a benchmark of Australian environmental engineering and the extent to which the work represents best practice in environmental engineering.

Designed, developed and delivered by Entura, the Meander Dam integrated water management system provides accurate, reliable and easy-to-use information to help Tasmanian Irrigation (TI) effectively manage its Meander Dam water storage and associated hydropower facility in northern Tasmania. The system allows TI to deliver certainty of irrigation supply to water users while also optimising power production, and ensuring dam safety.

“We’re delighted to have partnered with Entura to develop the Meander Dam integrated water management system and are thrilled about winning this national award,” said TI CEO Nicola Morris.

“The value created by the water management system was particularly evident during the 2015–16 irrigation season, in which the region experienced below-average rainfall that resulted in reduced inflows into Meander Dam and increased demand for water supply to irrigators.”

“We were able to match demand from predicted storage levels, fulfilling irrigator expectations and retaining sufficient storage capacity to be able to extend the delivery for an additional month. This ensured that irrigators were able to finish final crops and also maintain pasture growth for livestock and dairy activities.”

Meander Dam is the centrepiece of the Meander Valley Irrigation Scheme, one of the largest irrigation schemes in Tasmania. The dam was completed in 2007 and holds 43 000 megalitres of water, supplying five irrigation regions servicing pasture and cropping land.

Complexities of the energy-water nexus a challenge for utilities

“Real-time data and models are critical for utilities facing the challenges of the energy-water nexus,” said David Fuller, Principal Consultant Water Management and Technology at Entura. “These tools allow operations to maximise the value of water whilst balancing the demands of electricity generation or use.”

“The Meander Dam integrated water management system is an information gathering and processing system, as well as an easy-to-interpret, customised decision-support platform for optimising management and control of an integrated irrigation and hydropower system.”

Powered by Entura’s own Ajenti™ Data Management System, the solution developed for TI harnesses real-time rainfall and flow monitoring data captured by a network of catchment telemetry, and integrates this information with short-term and long-term forecasts from the Bureau of Meteorology and a hydrological model of the catchment.

Through a user-friendly dashboard interface, TI has an up-to-date picture of the dam’s status and the probability of various possible short-term and long-term scenarios of storage level and hydropower output.

Real-time information from water meters on pumps within the irrigation area is also brought into the system to give the operator a complete water balance in the area fed by the dam.

Ms Morris said that access to such robust and reliable information supported appropriate management decision making, such as whether and when to release water, and the extent and timing of hydropower operation.

“Increased hydropower operation reaps a dual benefit from the water resource, helping to offset our operational costs, enabling greater delivery of service throughout Tasmania, benefitting not only the local community but the whole Tasmanian agricultural sector,” said Ms Morris.

Entura works with customers across the Asia-Pacific region and Africa to help them improve the safety and performance of their dams, irrigation schemes, pipelines and pumping stations and to deliver innovative data monitoring, management and analysis solutions.