Thought Leadership

May 8, 2024

In the booming global solar industry, installation of bifacial panels has been rapidly overtaking conventional monofacial modules, particularly in utility-scale projects but increasingly at smaller scales (<5 MW) too. But are they the right technical investment for your solar project – and what do you need to consider? We recommend getting to grips with the […]

March 26, 2024

The future isn’t what it used to be. The future we now expect is one of even more intense rainfall. What can we do about it?  In Australia, there is now expected to be a 41–88 % increase in intense rainfall assuming a fossil-fuel development emission scenario by 2090, working from a 1961–90 climate base. In […]

February 26, 2024

The wind industry, well-established in Europe for decades, took baby steps onto Australian soil in the late 1980s and 1990s. By the early 2000s, Australia’s new wind industry was ready to take off. Given that wind farms usually have a design life of anywhere between 15 and 30 years, our earliest wind farms are now […]

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 8, 2023

This article is based on a recent presentation by Richard Lindqvist, a data integration specialist with Entura, at the ANCOLD Tailings Dam Operators Forum 2023. Richard describes the need, opportunities and barriers to adoption of advanced monitoring systems. Tailings facilities are crucial for preventing any spread of mine tailings into surrounding land and waterways. Some […]

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 10, 2023

The clean energy transition is set to create millions of new renewable energy jobs worldwide. It will, however, also bring major change for workers and communities who currently depend on carbon-intensive industries. This leads to two major challenges: how can the clean energy sector find enough skilled workers to enable the mammoth task ahead of […]

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 6, 2023

Entura’s Technical Director Power, Donald Vaughan, presented a paper at the global CIGRE Symposium in Cairns, Queensland in September 2023. This is a short summary of the outcomes of the analysis presented in his paper, regarding the value and roles of conventional hydropower, pumped hydro and battery energy storage as the power system transitions 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. […]

May 24, 2023

In an already water-stressed world and a rapidly changing climate, water is increasingly precious. To manage and control this vital resource, we must create and maintain safe, reliable and sustainable water infrastructure – and such a challenge calls for good planning. The International Commission on Large Dams is working towards releasing new guidance for water […]

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 […]

January 31, 2023

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

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 […]

November 17, 2022

Entura’s Rajeev Raina, Resident Director India, discusses the challenges of hydropower developments in South East and East Asia, as well as how these are being overcome. This video is part of a broader discussion about the role of hydropower in a changing renewables landscape, lifted from an Entura webinar to celebrate Global Hydropower Day on […]

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 […]

September 20, 2022

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

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 […]

March 17, 2022

Conducting field investigations in remote areas is no ‘walk in the park’. On top of the investigation activities themselves, there are the complex logistics of getting personnel and equipment into hard-to-reach places, the imperatives of maintaining safety and managing community expectations, and the significant challenge of conducting works but leaving minimal impact on the landscape. ‘Leave […]

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 […]

September 23, 2021

In previous thought leadership articles, we’ve argued that the downstream consequence of dam failure is a better measure of dam risk than the size of the dam. For example, saddle dams can often have significant consequences downstream, despite being smaller than the main dam. The same applies to cofferdams. A cofferdam is a temporary dam that […]

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 […]

March 9, 2021

Depending on when and where you want to connect your new solar farm or wind farm, the network service provider or your consultant may tell you that you’ll need a synchronous condenser. That may not be good news, because these machines don’t come cheap and they usually don’t provide a direct revenue stream. What should you do next?

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 […]

August 13, 2020

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

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?

April 28, 2020

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

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.

June 6, 2019

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

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 14, 2019

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

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?

October 10, 2018

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

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...

August 23, 2018

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

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 4, 2018

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

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 10, 2018

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

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 3, 2018

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

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?

January 29, 2018

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

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...

November 30, 2017

Flood forecasting is critical for protecting infrastructure and public safety.

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?

September 27, 2017

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

September 12, 2017

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

August 11, 2017

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

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...

June 21, 2017

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

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...

April 18, 2017

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

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 6, 2017

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

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?

December 12, 2016

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

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...

October 24, 2016

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

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 12, 2016

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

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 2, 2016

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

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...

May 26, 2016

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

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 8, 2016

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

March 15, 2016

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

February 18, 2016

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

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?

December 1, 2015

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

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...

October 12, 2015

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

September 23, 2015

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

August 27, 2015

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

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 1, 2015

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

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 26, 2015

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

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...

April 21, 2015

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

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 23, 2015

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

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...