Entura delivers flood forecasting system to Parkes Shire Council
A clever data management system developed by specialist power and water consulting firm Entura is helping to ensure the safety of a major dam in the New South Wales shire of Parkes.
An $11 million safety upgrade of the district’s main dam at Lake Endeavour has just been completed. It included upgrades to the dam wall and spillway, and implementation of an early warning system (EWS) for downstream residents and emergency services.
“The early warning system upgrade will provide real-time monitoring of conditions that could result in water overtopping the Lake Endeavour Dam,” said Andrew Francis – Director of Infrastructure Parkes Shire Council.
“It’s an essential part of our dam safety management strategy, and will allow us to provide alerts to the State Emergency Service and protect downstream residents if we experience those extreme conditions.”
The EWS combines actual dam water levels, from two locations in the catchment area, with data from the Bureau of Meteorology. The data collected from the dam is managed by Entura’s Ajenti Data Management System.
“An effective flood forecasting system is a vital tool for managing the significant risks that floods pose to communities, infrastructure and the environment,” said Dr Fiona Ling, Entura’s Principal Consultant in Hydrology, Resource Management and Investigations.
“If you can clearly understand the likelihood and scale of potential flooding and get accurate and timely warnings, you can better manage water infrastructure and implement safety plans in time to protect assets and communities at risk.”
Ajenti allows real-time observations to be combined with rainfall forecasts, using modelling to determine the likely inflows to the dam and related changes in water level over a seven day forecast period.
“Council staff can monitor the system via a simple interface, but the system is designed to be ‘set and forget’. If water levels are likely to reach a pre-determined level, the system automatically alerts Council staff so they can manage the risk of flood.”
The EWS complements the broader dam upgrade program, which has enhanced the ability of the Endeavour Dam to withstand large flood events. Members of the community and other stakeholders can monitor the key parameters monitored by the EWS at any time via the page on the Parkes Shire Council website.
Flood forecasting is a critical part of managing dam risk and public safety risks across a dam portfolio. As part of Hydro Tasmania, Australia’s largest water manager and renewable energy producer, Entura provides real-time inflow and flood forecasting 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 dam safety 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 Parkes or a large metropolis such as Kuala Lumpur,” said Dr Ling.
Entura appointed to advise on dam investigation and engineering design in Nepal
Specialist power and water consulting firm Entura has been selected by the Department of Irrigation of the Government of Nepal and the Asian Development Bank to deliver consulting services for the investigation and detailed engineering design of the Nagmati Dam.
Located near Kathmandu, the Nagmati Dam is part of the Bagmati River Basin Improvement Project, which aims to improve water security and resilience to potential climate change impact in the Bagmati River Basin. The project will build on the community’s desire to restore the river environment in the Kathmandu Valley. It will also support the Government’s efforts to improve irrigation development and mitigate the impact of water-induced disasters in the middle and lower reaches of the basin.
“Entura will be the lead consultant for this assignment, which is expected to take 14 months to be completed, in two stages,” said Entura’s International Business Development Director.
“The scope of the initial stage includes the specification and supervision of additional investigation works, additional analysis, and updating the feasibility study,” explained Mr Sharma. “The second stage includes design of access roads, dam design analysis, development of reservoir operation rules, and preparation of tender documents for construction.”
The project will be delivered by a team of specialists from Entura’s offices in Australia and India.
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.
Entura has 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, and the Meander Dam in Tasmania.
The firm has also been working with clients around the globe, undertaking the design of a number of international hydropower projects over the past decade, including Chanju-I in India, Dordi Khola in Nepal, Nam Pha Gani in Laos, and Neusberg in South Africa.
Hydro Tasmania signs Heads of Agreement regarding Entura joint venture
Hydro Tasmania has signed an in-principle agreement with the potential partners in a joint venture aimed at creating growth opportunities for its specialist power and water consulting business Entura.
The Heads of Agreement was signed in Beijing last Friday, as part of the Tasmanian Government’s trade mission to China.
Hydro Tasmania and its co-signatories, PowerChina Huadong and HydroChina (both subsidiaries of PowerChina), will now undertake further assessment and due diligence with the intent of reaching a formal agreement later in the year.
“The Heads of Agreement is a non-binding, in-principle agreement that reflects the desire of the three parties to reach a formal agreement in due course on a joint venture to take Entura forward,” said Hydro Tasmania CEO, Steve Davy.
The parties’ vision for the joint venture is to be a leading specialist power and water consulting firm, delivering services across the project lifecycle to customers in Australia and the Pacific, South and South-east Asia and Africa.
“Entura is already one of the world’s most experienced specialist power and water consulting firms,” said Entura Managing Director, Tammy Chu.
“I believe further growth in capability and coverage created by the potential joint venture will bring great benefit to our clients and it will allow us to continue to grow with them,” said Ms Chu.
A final decision to establish the joint venture will require approval by the Hydro Tasmania Board and the Tasmanian Government, and PowerChina Huadong and HydroChina will require approvals in China and Australia.
Hydro Tasmania explores joint venture to grow Entura business
Hydro Tasmania is exploring the potential of a joint venture with PowerChina to expand the market access of its consulting engineering business Entura.
Entura signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with PowerChina subsidiary HydroChina during the Chinese President’s visit to Tasmania in November last year, building on the state’s growing relationship with China. PowerChina is a Chinese Central Government enterprise and ranks 313 among the Fortune Global 500.
The Entura / HydroChina MOU focused on co-operation on the development of opportunities in the energy and water sectors, including hydropower and renewable energy, sustainability and environmental management and power transmission.
Earlier this month, Entura and HydroChina jointly won a bid to work on the Kidston Pumped Storage Hydropower Project in North Queensland, for Genex Power.
“The project was awarded based on the combined capability of the two businesses, and demonstrates how the two businesses can leverage their relationship for mutual benefit,” said Hydro Tasmania CEO Steve Davy.
“In particular, Entura brings its Australian experience to the project and will help identify opportunities for project optimisation, while HydroChina brings a wealth of experience in the development and construction of pumped storage projects.”
Entura is already one of the world’s most experienced specialist power and water consulting firms with a significant number of clients, and a strong reputation in both the Australian and global markets. It offers services that are highly valued by clients.
“The potential joint venture would accelerate Entura’s growth by providing access to a significant project work load for the JV partners, and access to new markets through the broader international presence of the HydroChina/PowerChina group,” said Mr Davy.
“This growth would also provide improved opportunities for Entura’s people.
“Discussions are at an early stage with no firm decisions being made by either party. At this stage, we are having discussions about the strategic and cultural fit of our businesses.”
Subject to Board approval to proceed to the next stage, Hydro Tasmania will continue discussions, with a view to signing a high-level agreement in coming months about how the joint venture might be formed and operate. Following further assessment, negotiations would continue, with the aim of reaching a formal agreement by the end of 2015.
Entura’s employees were briefed about the potential joint venture this afternoon. Consultation with employees will continue, to understand their views on the joint venture opportunity, and these will be part of input into the high-level agreement to be signed later this year.
About the potential joint venture partners
HydroChina and PowerChina Huadong are part of the PowerChina Group.
HydroChina is a subsidiary of PowerChina and is acting as the facilitator within the PowerChina Group for the proposed relationship with Hydro Tasmania. HydroChina provides comprehensive technical services with respect to hydropower and water conservation, and renewable energy development. It engages in site planning, investigation and design, construction and supervision and EPC general contracting. It also has a mandate for investment in hydropower and broader renewable energy projects internationally. In 2014, HydroChina was ranked No. 12 in the top 150 Global Design Firms by annual revenue.
PowerChina Huadong, based in Hangzhou near Shanghai, is a large player in the water and power sector in China and internationally. Traditionally a consulting business within China it has expanded to deliver engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services and invest directly in projects, in addition to expanding its markets internationally.
Key facts and figures on PowerChina Huadong:
- Largest “Design Institute” in the PowerChina Group.
- Approximately 4000 employees, predominantly engineers
- Total assets $US1.3 billion, total revenue $US0.9 billion, EBITDA $US97 million (2014)
- Key markets: Domestic (China); International (South East Asia, South Asia, East Africa, West Africa, Middle East, Latin America)
- Three key segments: Hydropower and Renewables; Urban and Infrastructure; Dam Safety
- Three key products: Design/consultancy; EPC; Investment
Entura appointed to deliver feasibility study for innovative pumped storage hydro project
Specialist power and water consulting firm Entura has been appointed by Genex Power to deliver a bankable feasibility study for the Kidston Pumped Storage Hydropower Project in North Queensland, Australia.
Situated some 270km North West of Townsville, near the township of Georgetown, the project is located on the site of the historic Kidston Gold Mine. The abandoned mine site contains two large adjacent pits with the potential to act as the upper and lower reservoirs required for pumped storage hydropower generation.
There are currently only three pumped storage hydro schemes in Australia. The Kidston scheme will have an installed nameplate generation capacity of 330 MW and power generated will be sold directly into Australia’s National Electricity Market during times of peak demand.
Commenting to the market on the appointment of Entura, Genex’s Managing Director Michael Addison said: “Entura is a world leader in the planning, design and construction of hydro power stations and we are pleased to have engaged them to manage the bankable feasibility study process.
“Initial engagements between Genex and Entura have been very positive and we look forward to working with the Entura team, which has already indicated scope for improvements on the initial project design. The Genex Board will work closely with Entura to deliver a bankable feasibility study on budget and is on track to complete the work by 30 June 2016.”
Entura will partner with leading Chinese power and design consultants HYDROCHINA in the feasibility phase of the project. In November 2014 the two firms signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate on the development of opportunities in the energy and water sectors.
Entura’s Managing Director Tammy Chu said: “As part of Hydro Tasmania, Entura brings a utility-owner perspective, deep local experience, regulatory knowledge and optimisation capability to the Kidston Pumped Storage project, while HYDROCHINA brings a wealth of specialist experience in the development and construction of pumped storage hydro stations.
“We look forward to working with Genex Power’s team and our partners to study how best to deliver a practical and commercially sound solution that will help bring the Kidston Pumped Storage project to life.”
In addition to the feasibility study, Entura will oversee subcontracted investigations, including geotechnical investigations and a bathymetric survey. The firm will also manage environmental and planning approvals for the project site, including specialist reports and community consultation.
Entura has been intimately involved in the planning, design, construction and ongoing operation and maintenance of the 30 hydropower stations, 55 major dams and 212 km of pipelines, tunnels and canals that make up the hydropower asset portfolio of its parent company Hydro Tasmania.
The firm has also worked with clients in more than 30 countries over the past few decades – including India, Laos, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, South Africa and Tajikistan – assisting with developing, operating and maintaining hydropower assets of all sizes.
Entura Managing Director elected to IHA Board
Specialist power and water consulting firm Entura welcomes the election of its Managing Director, Tammy Chu, to the Board of the International Hydropower Association (IHA).
Members of the association voted over recent weeks, with the deadline for ballot forms closing on Friday 24 July 2015. IHA announced the results over the weekend.
Ms Chu will be one of the Board members representing the East Asia and Pacific region. Her appointment supports the continuation of the long and active role of Entura’s parent company, Hydro Tasmania, in supporting and advancing key IHA initiatives.
“It is a great honour and a pleasure to serve as a member of the IHA Board for the next two years,” said Ms Chu. “I am looking forward to working with the new members to build on the great work delivered by the previous Board to raise the profile of our industry and drive new growth opportunities for the association.”
Ms Chu has extensive managerial and business development experience in the consulting engineering industry within Australia and internationally. As a civil engineer, she specialised in the design and construction of mini-hydro and hydropower systems, project management, hydropower investigations, prefeasibility and feasibility studies, environmental assessments and approvals, resource investigations and resource water management.
An active member of the engineering community, Ms Chu publishes papers on a range of subjects, and presents at conferences regularly. She has also spent time on national and international steering committees in both the water and energy sectors, which has further expanded her understanding and knowledge of world’s best practice.
The first meeting of the new IHA Board will take place in London on 21–23 September 2015, where the new Board members will appoint the president and vice presidents, and confirm the strategy and priorities for the association for the next two years.
Entura helping the Cook Islands on their renewable energy journey
Specialist power and water consulting firm Entura is helping the Cook Islands reduce reliance on diesel fuel, as part of the country’s goal to use renewable energy on all islands by 2020.
The Cook Islands is a group of 15 small islands in the Pacific, to the north-east of New Zealand.
Entura will develop preliminary designs for remote area power systems in six islands, and assist the Cook Islands Government in their implementation.
“Energy security and self-sufficiency are essential for remote islands such as Rarotonga, the most populous of 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.”
Climate change poses a particular risk to the Cook Islands due to sea level rise, extreme rainfall events, storm surges, strong winds and extreme high air temperatures. These changes are expected to adversely affect marine and terrestrial environments, giving rise to issues for food security, water resources and biodiversity.
“The commitment to renewable energy is a fundamental prerequisite to sustainable development,” said Richard Neves, Financial Secretary from the Cook Islands Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.
“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.”
Entura will assess the technical, environmental, social and economic viability of a transition from diesel to renewables, and make recommendations to the government of the Cook Islands and the Asia Development Bank on the optimum solutions to achieve the project objectives.
In the first phase of the project, the islands of Atiu, Mitiaro, Mangaia and Mauke will be converted from diesel power supply to a solar-battery hybrid system that will supply close to 100% of their energy needs, with diesel as a backup.
The second phase will focus on the islands of Aitutaki and Rarotonga, which have higher power demands. Power systems there will be upgraded to increase levels of renewable energy penetration, and integrate grid stabilisation technology to pave the way for installation of further generation.
As well, Entura will deliver strategic advice to assist with energy policy development for the Cook Islands, and develop 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. Institutional strengthening is a key output of the project.
The three-year project is expected to be completed in late 2018.
Approved funding for the project includes an ADB loan of NZD12.98 million, an EU Grant of €5.3 million, committed funding from the Global Environment Facility of USD4.1 million, a product grant of Pacific Environment Community (PEC) USD3.9 million alongside government allocation for dedicated resource and land compensation.
Entura employees contribute to Nepal relief effort
Following the devastating earthquake in Nepal on 25 April, Entura and its employees have joined forces with parent company, Hydro Tasmania, to donate almost A$50,000 to the relief efforts.
An internal fundraising campaign saw Hydro Tasmania group employees donate a total of $22,160, which has been matched by the business.
“We’re very proud of the generosity of our employees, particularly our team in India, who donated one full day’s salary, which demonstrates their commitment to the relief and reconstruction efforts in the region,” said Entura’s Managing Director Tammy Chu.
The funds are being distributed across seven international aid agencies, as well as a specific reconstruction effort in the Lamjung district in western Nepal, where Entura’s India team had been working around the time the earthquake struck.
Entura operates across the Asia pacific region and southern Africa, servicing clients from offices in Australia, India and South Africa.
Supporting affected communities in Nepal
Specialist power and water consulting firm Entura is joining forces with its parent company, Hydro Tasmania, to support those affected by the earthquake in Nepal.
Prior to the devastating event on 25 April, employees from Entura’s India office had been working on the 27 MW Dordi-Khola Hydroelectric Project located in the Lamjung district in Western Nepal, 164 km from Kathmandu.
“Fortunately, our people involved in the project were away from the epicentre at the time it hit, and all of them are safe,” said Entura’s Managing Director Tammy Chu.
“Our team in the India office has donated one full day’s salary to the relief effort, which demonstrates their commitment to contributing to the relief and reconstruction efforts in the region.”
The Hydro Tasmania group will donate an initial amount of A$5000 and will also match employee donations to reputable aid agencies up to an additional A$15 000, providing a total of A$20 000.
The full donation value will be known at the end of May. It’s hoped some of the funds will be used in reconstruction efforts in the local area around the Dordi-Khola project.
Entura shares its natural thinking in South Africa
Power and water consulting firm Entura will deliver a full day course, free of charge, to mark the conclusion of the successful project “Powering water supply in South Africa: small hydro opportunities on existing infrastructure” undertaken in partnership with eThekwini Water and Sanitation and REEEP.
Please refer to the below for more details or contact Amanda Ashworth.
Building power and water infrastructure capability in South Africa
Specialist power and water consulting firm Entura has identified opportunities for the South African city of Durban to increase its use of renewable energy, while at the same time driving down water infrastructure operating costs.
Entura received a grant from the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP), an international non-profit organisation, to identify opportunities to install mini-hydro (100kW to 1MW) on existing water supply infrastructure. The opportunities identified would enable generation of energy from renewable sources without the need for large and costly new infrastructure.
REEEP’s mission is to accelerate markets for clean energy in developing countries and emerging markets, and provided €148 000 in funding for the project to help ignite potential markets for mini-hydro in medium-sized cities.
“The potential for mini-hydro to transform the energy mix in many cities is considerable. This project is setting the stage for not only Durban, but the wider region as well,” said Eva Oberender, Director of Programme at REEEP.
The project was co-funded by eThekwini Water and Sanitation, a service unit of Durban City Council.
“Durban City Council has a vision of becoming a green city. The focus of Entura’s work was to assess the economic viability of installing mini-hydro schemes on existing infrastructure, such as pipelines and reservoirs, in support of that vision,” said Project Manager, Entura’s Rik Van Der Kley.
“We found there is scope for utilities to add value to their existing operations, with mini-hydro projects of less than 1 megawatt providing viable opportunities. However, greater returns and investment opportunities exist for larger municipalities where projects in the 1-2 megawatt range could be developed.
“Infrastructure owners who invest in mini-hydro as an add-on to their core business can offset their own electricity costs by using the energy generated to run part of their operations, or could earn extra revenue by putting the energy into the local grid.”
An important part of the project was cultivating local knowledge and skills to support identification and development of similar opportunities elsewhere in the region. The project culminated in a full-day training workshop on 5 March for 45 participants, many from partner organisation eThekwini Water and Sanitation, and involving similar utilities from neighbouring municipalities, hydropower developers, engineering firms, and financing agencies. Training was delivered through the Entura clean energy and water institute.
“The project has not only helped us understand what opportunities exist but also provides a framework for taking projects forward,” said Ednick Msweli, Head of eThekwini Water and Sanitation. “The training and documentation that has been delivered as part of this process will also help other municipalities in the region and perhaps even other African countries to undertake similar projects.”
Once implemented, the mini-hydro projects will also contribute to meeting renewable energy targets in South Africa.
Milestone for South African hydropower project: Neusberg
Southern Africa’s newest hydropower plant met its final project milestone in January, achieving full commercial operation, and was officially launched this week.
The Neusberg project is a run-of-river small hydropower project on the Orange River near Kakamas in the Northern Cape of South Africa. It is the first run-of-river hydropower scheme developed under the Republic of South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer’s Programme (REIPPP) and will deliver 10 MW of baseload power in the South African energy market, enough electricity for about 5000 households.
The Neusberg project is owned by Kakamas Hydro Electric Power (RF) (Pty) Ltd (KHEP), a company registered in the Republic of South Africa in which there are four equity participants:, Hydro 1 SA, Hydro Tasmania South Africa, Old Mutual Life Assurance Company (South Africa) Limited, and a community trust funded by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).
The REIPPP has been designed by South Africa’s Departments of Energy and Treasury to help achieve a target of 3725 megawatts of renewable energy. It aims to support environmentally sustainable growth, and to stimulate the renewable energy industry in South Africa.
“Hydropower is one of the few renewable sources of baseload energy generation – that is, it constantly generates a predictable flow of electricity”, said Christoff le Grange, Hydro Tasmania’s Director Southern Africa.
“As long as there is sufficient flow in the river, the power plant can generate electricity, and since the Orange River is a managed system, this means that the generation capacity is almost constant.”
Construction at Neusberg began in June 2013 and the power station began commercial operation on 31 January 2015 on time and on budget.
“Hydro Tasmania and its consulting business Entura have been involved in the whole lifecycle of the project from design through construction and ongoing support for operation and maintenance. One hundred years of experience developing and operating hydropower plant in Australia equips us with the expertise to deliver vital skills to this project,” said Mr le Grange.
The project will provide revenue to the project partners for 20 years under the power purchase agreement entered into with South Africa’s energy utility Eskom. It also provides benefits to local communities.
“In an area characterised by high levels of poverty and unemployment, developing the facility has created many work opportunities,” said Hydro SA’s Niel Theron
“At the project’s peak, at least 350 people worked on site, half of them from the local community and specific employment opportunities were created for young people and women.”
Local business also derived benefit from the project’s commitment to spending money on South African goods and services. During the construction period the project maintained a local content spend in excess of 70 per cent.
The project also brings an ongoing social and economic boost to the community. The broader Kakamas community has a 15 per cent shareholding in the project which is administered via the Kakamas Hydro Community Trust. The dividend income will be kept in trust and distributed via community projects that will focus on education, the elderly and children. The dividend spend is monitored by the Department of Energy’s IPP Monitoring Office.
“In addition, the Kakamas Hydro Electric Project (KHEP Project) will spend 2-3% of its revenue – which amounts to approximately R60 million over the life of the 20year power purchase agreement – on community projects,” said Hydro SA’s Economic Development Project Manager Mercia Grimbeeck.
“This will go a long way toward stimulating and facilitating economic growth and social change in a community where it is much needed.”
Now that the construction of the hydro power facility is complete, the existing site office will be donated to the Zwartbooisberg farming community to be used as its new school premises.
Hydro Tasmania will continue to perform an ongoing role in providing remote alarm monitoring and dispatch control services from its 24-hour Hobart operations centre. A local operation crew will be available, to attend to any maintenance issues that may arise.
Hydro Tasmania South Africa will also provide engineering services to the project throughout its life.
Entura signs MOU with HYDROCHINA
Entura has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with leading Chinese power and design consultants HYDROCHINA.
The MOU will see both businesses co-operating on the development of opportunities in the energy and water sectors, including hydropower and renewable energy, sustainability and environmental management and power transmission.
Entura’s Managing Director Tammy Chu said the aim was to establish a long-term strategic co-operative relationship to build on the skills and reputation of both parties with a focus on the Asia-Pacific region.
“There is immense capability and experience in the energy and water sectors in China and HYDROCHINA is a large corporation in China that provides comprehensive technical service in regards to hydropower, water and renewable energy development,” Ms Chu said.
“What Entura brings to HYDROCHINA is a utility-owner perspective, international experience and credibility across a range of renewable technologies and projects, regulatory knowledge, and niche expertise that can support HYDROCHINA with its project development or implementation activity.
“We look forward to ongoing collaboration on successful renewable energy and water management projects that will benefit both businesses.”
HYDROCHINA is a subsidiary of the Chinese Central Government enterprise POWERCHINA, which ranks 313 among the Fortune Global 500.
The MOU was signed at a ceremony in Hobart today.
Bhutan looks to Entura for hydropower expertise
Entura is helping grow renewable energy development in Bhutan.
A 15-member delegation from the government-owned Druk Green Power Corporation is in Tasmania undertaking an intensive two-week training program at the Entura clean energy and water institute. The program includes courses in hydropower development, hydrology, project economics, and environmental and social safeguards, as well as business systems and leadership.
The training is funded under the Australia Awards Fellowships, administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Australia Awards Fellowships aim to develop leadership, address regional development priorities, and strengthen partnerships and links between Australian organisations and partner organisations in developing countries.
Institute Director Dr Amanda Ashworth said the Government of Bhutan is drawing on Entura’s expertise to help realise its aim of providing electricity to all households by 2020 and creating revenue through export of energy to India.
“The government of Bhutan sees the energy sector as a vital tool to improve the quality of life for Bhutanese people, and to alleviate poverty,” she said.
“Developing capability within Bhutan in sustainable hydropower development will provide a foundation to successfully implement the government’s planned energy development projects.”
“Through Entura, Hydro Tasmania is able to share the learnings of 100 years of state-sponsored hydropower development and management, to benefit others who are less advanced in their renewable energy journey,” she said.
The Bhutanese Fellows have spent time in classroom-based learning, but have also undertaken field trips to some of Tasmania’s hydropower schemes, using Hydro Tasmania’s strong asset base to provide real-world experience of theory-based studies.
Entura India wins industry accolades
Entura’s India business has been singled out for excellence by that country’s peak energy body.
The Indian Council of Power Utilities has judged Entura India as “best consultant/consultancy” for the year 2013. The Council is an autonomous organisation with representation from power utilities from across the industry in India.
Entura was the unanimous choice of the jury, which included eminent power professionals. Client feedback was an important part of the selection process.
The award comes after a year in which Entura India expanded its market coverage to deliver feasibility studies for hydropower developments in Nepal, and the detailed design for the Nam Song hydropower project in Laos.
This award recognises the expertise that resides in the India office, supported by the wider Entura group and will reinforce Entura as leader in this emerging market.
The award was presented in late November 2013 in Hyderabad by Mr. Kiran Kumar Reddy the Chief Minister (Premier) of Andhra Pradesh (South Indian state).
Sharing Entura’s grid connection expertise in Asia
Entura’s South East Asia Business Development Manager presented a paper at Clean Energy Expo Asia in Bangkok recently.
The presentation was titled ‘Clever thinking powers wind farm grid connection’ and detailed how Entura worked closely with Hydro Tasmania to connect Musselroe Wind Farm to the grid using a combination of technologies and control methodologies.
It delved into the complexities of dealing with a connection point in a remote corner of a weak power system, and the coordination of various controls and supports to achieve grid compliance and successful operation.
Clean Energy Expo Asia is the region’s leading conference and exhibition dedicated to the clean energy market and was co-located with Energy Efficiency Asia and Carbon Forum Asia. Find out more on the conference website.
Entura recognised for export success
Entura has been awarded a Tasmanian export award recognising its commitment to exporting and its success in the international market over the past year.
“The international market is very important for our business growth and today approximately one-quarter of the projects we undertake are for international clients,” said Tammy Chu, Managing Director Entura.
“We are very proud that we are able to apply the skills and expertise of 100 years of sustainable energy and water development and operations on projects for clients around the world.
“We are particularly proud of our exporting achievements over the past 12 months where we have expanded on our product and service offering and unique capabilities to offer training to businesses and professionals through the Entura clean energy and water institute. Since its launch in December last year we have delivered nine courses attended by 113 international participants,” said Ms Chu.
Entura has recently opened an office in South Africa to support the consulting work it is undertaking in the region.
Entura will now attend the national awards in Melbourne on 26 November 2013.
Entura opens doors in southern Africa
Hydro Tasmania and its consulting business Entura have broken ground in a new international market, with the official launch this week of a hydropower project in South Africa.
Entura has been involved for two years in the Neusberg project, which is a run-of-river small hydropower project under construction on the Orange River near Kakamas in the Northern Cape of South Africa. Construction officially began this week with a sod turning ceremony.
Entura’s role encompasses the whole lifecycle of the project from design through construction and ongoing support for the operation and maintenance after completion in January 2015.
Hydro Tasmania also plays a role in the Neusberg project as developer and 25 per cent equity participant in the project company Kakamas Hydro Electric Power (Pty) Ltd, together with Hydro 1 SA (Pty) Ltd, Old Mutual, and a community trust funded by the Industrial Development Corporation.
“The project brings great benefits to the local community, both through ensuring a financial share in the project through the community trust, and through job creation for work on the scheme,” said Stephen Davy, Hydro Tasmania Chief Executive Officer.
The Neusberg project is the first run-of-river small hydro scheme to be delivered under South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer’s Program and will deliver 10 MW of base load power in the South African energy market.
“Southern Africa presents great opportunities for Entura as the country seeks to develop its renewable energy potential, with only seven per cent of Africa’s potential hydropower resources currently developed,” Mr Davy said.
“Winning projects in this region further enhances Entura’s and Tasmania’s international profile as a clean energy leader.”
Neusberg is one of several consulting projects being undertaken by Entura in southern Africa, including the identification of opportunities to install mini-hydro hydropower systems on existing water supply infrastructure in Durban, and a water optimisation study for the Ncondezi group in Mozambique.
To better support Entura’s entry to the southern Africa market, it has established an office in Cape Town for its people involved in these projects and as a base for further operations in the region.
Building capabilities at home and abroad
Training offered by the Entura clean energy and water institute is proving beneficial for international and local energy and water businesses alike looking to up-skill. Courses offered by the recently launched Institute are now in full swing, with a number of customised programs already delivered and a series of short courses coming up.
In March the Institute delivered hydro power development training in Vientiane, Laos with a focus on risks and analysis tools to support decision-making. The course included a site tour to the Theun Hinboun Power Company, where participants saw hydro power scheme components first-hand and discussed the key risks and issues managed at the site.
Also during March, a group of Bangladesh government officials were hosted at the Institute’s dedicated training facility at the Entura’s Cambridge office. Focussed on building the mini-hydro capabilities of participants, training provided an understanding of the mini-hydro development process and risks, as well as integration issues specific to renewables. Participants also saw assets in action at site visits around the state.
In early April a group of engineers and non-engineers joined together to undertake the Hydro Power Systems short course, where they learnt theoretical and practical aspects of hydro power systems and hydro power operation and maintenance. This was one of many open short courses being held at the Institute throughout the year, covering a full range of clean energy and water related fields.
Teaching the world about renewable energy
A Tasmanian-based teaching facility officially opened today is expected to be a drawcard for international energy and water businesses looking to upskill their workforces.
The Entura clean energy and water institute will deliver a range of courses for utilities, businesses and individuals in the areas of clean energy, including hydro, wind and solar and in water management.
“Energy and water are critical resources for society. Many businesses are new to clean technologies and require training in incorporating such technologies successfully within their energy portfolios in an effective and sustainable manner,” said Hydro Tasmania CEO Roy Adair.
Hydro Tasmania’s consulting business Entura has been delivering targeted training along with capacity development services for the past 20 years as part of its suite of consulting services. Training has been delivered in countries including Papua New Guinea, Micronesia, Malaysia, China and Cambodia, as well as training for local businesses within Tasmania.
The new Institute is based at Entura’s Hobart office and has dedicated training facilities for classes of up to 30 students as well as facilities for smaller workshops and seminars.
“The Institute provides a platform to formalise and expand Entura’s training provision,” said Mr Adair.
“Working with businesses in remote and international locations requires innovative thinking around course delivery. While the Institute will be headquartered in Hobart, its services may also be provided: on site at the workplaces of businesses in other countries; in the field using Hydro Tasmania’s strong asset base to provide real-world experience; or through use of webex and other online technologies. Training will be appropriately tailored to meet the needs of individual clients.”
Courses are targeted at up-skilling businesses, particularly asset owners, in clean energy technologies and water management. The courses have been designed drawing on Hydro Tasmania’s 100 years of experience and expertise in planning, developing, operating and maintaining energy and water infrastructure.
The institute will target both national and international clients, in markets including Australia, Asia, the Pacific and Southern Africa. Courses will be delivered by technical experts within the Entura and Hydro Tasmania business, and by strategic partners in the venture including the University of Tasmania and the Asian Institute of Technology.
The Institute will deliver its first formal course in sustainable hydropower development in February next year to a delegation of senior managers/bureaucrats from Laos.
