Thought Leadership

January 31, 2024

Dams are critical infrastructure for water supply, irrigation, energy production, flood protection, or multiple purposes. They are usually designed to last at least 100 years, yet with good maintenance and appropriate dam safety practices, dams can continue to perform as designed for centuries. But what about climate change? The circumstances in which a dam operates […]

December 12, 2023

This article reflects on a panel discussion chaired by Ray Massie at the Energy and Mines Australia Summit 2023, which you can read more about here. The discussion about powering mines with renewable energy has moved a long way in a short time. As the imperative to go green has escalated, the mining sector has […]

November 20, 2023

The relationship between India and Australia goes far beyond our nations’ mutual love of cricket. We have deep people-to-people connections that have been formed over generations. At the beginning of the 20th century, around 7000 people of Indian descent lived in Australia. Now, Indian-born Australians number more than 750,000 – a number that has doubled […]

November 13, 2023

I have just ‘returned’ from the World Wind Energy Conference 2023, held just down the road from Entura’s Hobart office. At the conference there was an overwhelming sense that the energy transition from fossil fuels to renewables is well underway and the era of coal-fired power generation is coming to a close. This has been […]

September 28, 2023

Understanding the behaviour of water as it flows in natural and constructed environments is fundamental to designing and managing many civil assets, and integral to reducing risk and cost in water infrastructure projects. Water is such an intrinsic part of our lives that we all have a good observational understanding of what water is and […]

September 28, 2023

The rapid transformation of the energy sector is exciting and ripe with opportunities. Inevitably, it also involves a level of complexity and a range of uncertainties. Phrases such as ‘decarbonising the future’, ‘net zero emissions’ and ‘energy security’ feature in almost every energy transition seminar, but what do they really mean when it comes to […]

July 11, 2023

At the recent ICOLD meeting in Gothenburg, Sweden, dam engineering experts from across the globe came together to share knowledge, discuss trends and issues, and engage with each other. One important topic of discussion was the role of dams in the international response to climate change and what that will mean for the dams industry. […]

June 1, 2023

Compared with other clean energy technologies, hydropower is a long-distance runner. Many hydropower facilities have an expected lifespan of up to a century. An increasing challenge, however, is that many of these facilities are already well progressed on their life journey. With much of the world’s hydropower fleet already at or beyond mid-life, effective asset […]

March 27, 2023

With projects and operations, like life, knowledge is power – the power to make informed decisions and manage risk. That knowledge can be gained in different ways, at different costs, and at different stages of a project. In an era of ever-more-sophisticated digital tools, how do we decide what’s best for the project? The understanding […]

March 3, 2023

The old adage of ‘a company’s greatest assets are its people’ is never more true than in an emergency situation. The success of any emergency plan depends upon the skills, training and willingness of the people involved. It also relies on robust emergency preparation that takes as many scenarios as possible into account, and builds […]

December 12, 2022

In 2000, a major report by the World Commission on Dams shone a spotlight on large dams. At that time, some people argued that smaller, run-of-river hydropower could be a more sustainable solution than large dams with large reservoirs. Is this true? And is it still relevant more than twenty years on? Run-of-river hydropower projects […]

December 12, 2022

The construction of large dams may be controversial, particularly if the social and environmental impacts appear to outweigh the benefits. How can we create the right kind of dams in the right places to deliver maximum benefit with minimal impact? I recently watched Franklin, a documentary in which eighth-generation Tasmanian and environmentalist Oliver Cassidy retraces […]

November 17, 2022

Entura’s Donald Vaughan, Technical Director, Power, discusses the role of hydropower in deep storage, and how this will become increasingly important in a future renewables landscape. This clip is lifted from an Entura webinar to celebrate Global Hydropower Day on October 11, 2022, where our Technical Leaders and Executive Team came together to discuss the […]

November 16, 2022

Dr Amanda Ashworth, Entura’s Director of Strategy, Sales and Commercial, discusses the role that hydropower plays in the race to net zero. This discussion took place during the webinar held by Entura to celebrate Global Hydropower Day on 11 October 2022, where our Executive Team and Technical Leaders came together to explore the future of […]

June 21, 2022

The planning and approvals system is complex, and its potential impact on the cost, timeframe and overall success of your renewable energy or storage project should never be underestimated. Investing time and energy in planning for project approvals makes it more likely that your project will get off the drawing board and into reality. The […]

June 21, 2022

Access to quality long-term records is crucial for dam safety. Read what our specialists have to say about keeping your records under control. The ANCOLD (Australian National Committee on Large Dams) guideline on dam safety management recommends regular reviews on different timescales – including routine inspections undertaken by the operator (daily to monthly), intermediate inspections […]

February 17, 2022

One contributing factor for dam safety is the ability to rapidly lower the water level in an emergency. But how can dam designers and owners appropriately determine the need for a dewatering outlet or its optimum size in the absence of a consistent international standard?  Dam safety must begin long before the dam is filled […]

December 16, 2021

With the current bow wave in publicly announced emerging and committed storage, wind and solar farms in Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM), it is now more important than ever that your connection application processes are rigorous and efficient. This article charts a path of least resistance within the framework of the Australian Energy Market Operator […]

July 6, 2021

Everyone in the energy industry is talking about green hydrogen, and the buzz just keeps on growing.  It’s been clearly demonstrated technically that with an adequate supply of water and renewable energy, green hydrogen can be produced through electrolysis for local use or for export – with no associated emissions. The role for green hydrogen […]

April 27, 2021

How can owners or developers assess alternative options for hydropower and dam projects objectively and consistently? How can you maintain an appropriate balance among the environmental, social, financial and technical risks? If you place a value on the non-cost aspects of projects, how can you confidently assess the many criteria that your project options bring […]

February 23, 2021

When a dam is being considered, there’s usually a primary purpose. But are there also secondary purposes that can benefit the local and wider community? Have you thought about the potential additional economic development that can stem from a multipurpose dam?  Multipurpose dams combine two or more functions of traditional single-purpose dams into one dam […]

December 8, 2020

In remote or isolated locations, hybrid renewable energy systems offer an effective option for meeting energy goals. With the plummeting costs of solar PV and its ease of installation, is there still a role for wind turbines in the design of a hybrid system? Our answer is yes; however, there are a number of factors to consider when choosing the best configuration for your location and needs.

June 2, 2020

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

May 13, 2020

There are very few areas in the consulting life in which we can simply say ‘we’ll wait until this is all over’. Life, and projects, must go on. Here, Entura’s Environment and Planning team continue to apply their proactive approach to keeping projects alive in the current circumstances, and explain how they are continuing their activities on two international projects despite the travel restrictions that are making it impossible to visit the project sites.

December 12, 2019

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

September 5, 2019

When engineers think about the future, do we get so engrossed in the complex technical problems that we don’t attend enough to the human angle?

May 7, 2019

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

February 26, 2019

Beyond the typical images of blue water, white sand and sunny days, many Pacific islands are becoming visions of renewable energy innovation ...

December 17, 2018

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

November 1, 2018

Integrating renewables into grids and markets is a hot topic worldwide, with many challenges and approaches to explore...

September 26, 2018

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

September 7, 2018

To keep communities and assets safe during flood events, dam operators need to make rapid and difficult decisions. The best protection is having the right systems in place before an emergency arises...

August 6, 2018

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

July 18, 2018

How can a wind farm realise its full lifetime potential in an increasingly cost-sensitive market?

June 5, 2018

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

May 22, 2018

Anyone who’s ever had a cold understands the discomfort of blocked airways. Congestion challenges, albeit slightly different ones, also face developers of new renewable energy generation...

April 26, 2018

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

April 16, 2018

There are many thousands of potential sites for pumped hydro energy storage developments across Australia, but how can a developer filter these down to the best few?

March 14, 2018

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

March 9, 2018

Big investments require confidence – however, caution in unlocking funds is perfectly reasonable. A thorough due diligence is the key to building investment confidence by identifying and quantifying the project’s risks, costs and benefits...

January 22, 2018

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

January 8, 2018

As the proportion of renewable energy in the grid continues to grow, pumped hydro energy storage offers a solution for greater reliability. But can the business case for storage stack up?

November 1, 2017

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

October 17, 2017

Installing a SCADA system is a major outlay. With the ever-increasing pace of technological change, how can you ensure your new system or upgrade will repay your investment and deliver maximum benefits?

September 12, 2017

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

August 30, 2017

As the global population continues to grow, how can utilities and water managers balance the increasing and interrelated pressures on water, energy and food?

July 14, 2017

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

July 5, 2017

Dams, water courses and water bodies typically offer a range of recreational benefits enjoyed by many. But where there’s water, there’s inherent danger...

May 31, 2017

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

May 24, 2017

If you are planning to generate some of your own electricity, such as through a few wind turbines or a small solar farm, you’ll need to know about islanding...

March 29, 2017

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

March 14, 2017

The issues and trends we’re seeing playing out right now relating to hydropower and the clean energy sector are not unique to our region...

February 22, 2017

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

February 2, 2017

Like many stories of island journeys, the pursuit of high levels of renewable energy in the Pacific involves good planning and skilled navigation to stay safe and on course, and holds the promise of rich rewards...

November 30, 2016

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

November 16, 2016

Pumped storage hydropower projects are a natural fit in an energy market with high penetration of renewable energy as they help to maximise the use of the renewables that are subject to the vagaries of the weather...

October 5, 2016

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

September 26, 2016

With 2020 and its renewable energy targets fast approaching, the race is on to deploy renewable energy developments in Australia. Efficient and right-sized grid connection can get projects moving quickly and...

September 6, 2016

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

August 26, 2016

Can our network and market frameworks support two to three times more renewables in Australia in the next ten to fifteen years without radical or innovative actions?

July 13, 2016

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

June 20, 2016

Safety risks around high-voltage electrical assets are far from trivial, particularly those risks associated with earthing hazards during construction activities...

May 12, 2016

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

April 28, 2016

What value can you derive for renewable energy projects through developing accurate models?

March 15, 2016

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

March 2, 2016

The right data and analysis could unearth new strategies to get more from your infrastructure, and that’s too good an opportunity to miss...

February 4, 2016

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

January 13, 2016

The security of an electricity network is threatened by the rise of sophisticated controls on modern generating equipment. These controls lead to complex interactions with the electricity network and must be managed carefully to...

November 19, 2015

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

November 5, 2015

The measures taken to address safety risks at the underground Rouna 2 hydropower station in Papua New Guinea offer a timely reminder of the basic requirements for adequately managing safety risks...

September 23, 2015

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

September 7, 2015

An effective flood forecasting system is a vital tool for managing the significant risks that floods pose to communities, infrastructure and the environment...

August 11, 2015

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

July 22, 2015

Asking ‘what is the best dam type for my dam site?’ is a key question in the early stages of planning a dam project. A number of dam types are being used around the world, such as...

June 11, 2015

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

May 28, 2015

The Grattan Institute’s recently released report ‘Sundown, sunrise’ observes that household solar PV will soon be cost-competitive under existing tariff structures...

May 14, 2015

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

May 4, 2015

Hydropower stations, like all technology or infrastructure, won’t stay efficient, reliable or safe without regular and ongoing attention...

March 26, 2015

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

March 25, 2015

Hydropower is increasingly becoming a major source of renewable energy for emerging markets throughout Asia. Managing the not-so-obvious risks associated with developing and operating hydropower schemes is often a key challenge in securing project finance and gaining or maintaining a social licence to operate. “Power projects, especially in developing countries, are increasingly scrutinised by international […]

March 21, 2015

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