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Does the role of the engineer need to be re-imagined?

Engineers today face multiple, increasingly complex challenges. The need for future-proofed infrastructure, the impact of automation, intelligent buildings and new infra-technology to better design, build and manage our assets – will all require an extremely high level of innovation. Engineering and infrastructure advisory firm Aurecon’s focus has been on re-imagining engineering through leadership in design – and it’s a focus that has seen two of its engineers recognised on this years Engineers Australia’s ‘2017 Most Innovative Engineers list’. Tony Lavorato, Structural Technical Director at Aurecon, was recognised for his work on 5 Martin Place in the Building & Construction Category, while Stephen Logan, Design Director – Building Mechanical & Electrical (MEP) at Aurecon, was recognised in the Consulting Category for his work on Sunshine Coast University Hospital. Dr Kourosh Kayvani, Global Director – Excellence & Expertise at Aurecon, adds that Tony and Stephen’s outstanding work exemplifies Aurecon’s new and more thoughtful approach to re-imagining engineering through leadership in design. He says, “As the world becomes increasingly complex, ambiguous and volatile, creative and innovative design must underpin the way we frame and solve problems facing humanity and our environment. “We are re-imagining engineering, and we are steadfast in bringing this idea to life for our clients as a new brand of engineers and innovators.” The citations were awarded by Engineers Australia in recognition of engineers who have made noteworthy contributions to the community, the industry and the engineering profession. Engineers Australia, with over 100 000 members, is the largest and most diverse professional body for engineers in the country. Re-imagining a heritage building For Tony, out-of-the-box thinking paved the way to solving the unique challenge facing 5 Martin Place. “This project is by far the most complex in terms of engineering gymnastics of any building that I’ve ever been involved in. The ‘smarts’ […]

Letting our capes fly: Why engineers are awesome

This glimpse of the future was crafted by: Michelle Doolan You don’t have to sit a 5-year old down and teach her the physical and psychological benefits of building forts. Chances are she has wrecked your lounge many times before. Written into the defaults of our DNA is the impulse to create ̶ to bring something that never was into being. Take away the plastic weapons of mass destruction from your toy box, and watch your toddler turn his peanut butter sandwich into a gun. Beach sand becomes castles; snow days invite igloos; the world is a wonderful palette that kids just intuitively want to paint on. Essentially, the engineer is hidden inside all of us. The question for us engineers who still hold the title is, are we still living like one? Because we may need to be reminded from time to time, the job of an engineer is a great one. By comparison to some of the other professions, engineering is often not seen as the “cool” one. TV shows like LA Law and Boston Legal glamorise legal eagles battling it out in high profile court cases. ER, House and Scrubs bring the world of medicine into our living rooms. Even Grand Designs puts architecture on a pedestal. Isn’t it about time that TV producers got in touch with the profession that is shaping the future world we live in like no other? As a discipline, it lies at the very fabric of our society, shouldering the systems and spaces that give our world its meaning. Too often the profession is associated with hard hats and tool belts, viewed as difficult and esoteric. But in reality, engineering is a far cry from ‘restrictive’ and ‘routine’. It is alive and multidimensional, unleashing the power of connected societies to unlock […]

Australia can’t lose in the global race for cheaper, cleaner energy

Paul Graham, Chief economist, CSIRO energy, CSIRO Despite our sometimes heated national debate about our energy future, Australia is well positioned to benefit from innovative low emission technologies. No matter which avenue we take to cleaner energy, our energy-rich resources means there are opportunities for Australian businesses – and cheaper energy for Australian consumers. That’s the conclusion reached by CSIRO in our Low Emissions Technology Roadmap, which outlines potential pathways for the energy sector to contribute to Australia’s emissions reduction target. Our target under the Paris climate agreement calls for a 26-28% reduction of emissions by 2030 from 2005 levels. Our analysis also considers how the energy sector could meet the more ambitious aspiration of avoiding 1.5-2℃ global warming. Looking past the political wrangling Perhaps one of the reasons the energy debate in Australia is so vehement is that, with the exception of oil, we are rich in energy resources. While we cannot wait indefinitely, the lack of resource constraints means we can monitor and test what options emerge as the most cost effective. Technology neutrality is often called upon as a key policy design principle. Another reason for caution is that technological change is inherently unpredictable. For example, at the start of this century, few would have expected solar photovoltaics to be one of the lowest cost sources of electricity. Current expectations of sourcing cost-effective bulk electricity storage would have seemed even less likely at the time. However, there are two key choices that will determine how we reduce greenhouse gases, and the shape of our energy future. First, we must decide how much weight we give to improving energy productivity, versus decarbonising our energy supply. This is essentially a policy decision: should we use our existing energy more intelligently and efficiently in our buildings, industries and transport, or […]

Metso partners with RA to create IoT solutions for mining

Metso has selected Rockwell Automation to deliver a global industrial Internet of Things (IoT) platform that connects, monitors and performs analytics for Metso’s equipment and services, resulting in improved efficiency and profitability for its mining and aggregates customers.  The digital solution will securely collect and store data from Metso’s equipment around the globe, including new equipment and machines already in operation. The solution will provide predictive analytics and preventive maintenance, and facilitate remote asset monitoring by Metso and its customers. The industrial IoT solution is built on the FactoryTalk Cloud platform from Rockwell Automation, powered by Microsoft Azure. Rockwell Automation and Microsoft have long collaborated on solutions required for industrial digital transformation. The Metso solution is a direct result of these efforts.   “For our mining and aggregates customers, access to real-time data enables higher uptime, faster and safer shutdowns, and ultimately more tonnage processed at lower cost. Enabled by an industrial IoT platform from Rockwell Automation and global coverage with Microsoft Azure’s data centres, Metso can deliver analysed equipment data into the hands of its customers for advanced decision-making,” says Jani Puroranta, chief digital officer, Metso.   Metso began working with Rockwell Automation on a pilot program in 2015, remotely monitoring an African-based mining crusher from a location in Wisconsin. Metso was immediately able to use the data collected to identify opportunities for improvements in machine performance. The quality of the solution and support Rockwell Automation provided during the pilot gave Metso confidence that a broader implementation of the industrial IoT platform would drive the results it was seeking on a global scale. “Metso has an inspiring vision to deliver powerful analytics and information solutions in mining and aggregates that will drive business results for customers,” said Blake Moret, president […]

Medical devices give hope to traditional manufacturers

By Caleb Radford Manufacturing companies in Australia are finding niches in the medical technologies sector as their traditional markets of mining and automotive diminish. Lower production costs and more robust large-scale capabilities offshore are playing a major role in the exit of mining and automotive component manufacturers from Australia. However, industry and government support have helped some firms evolve their advanced manufacturing skills and enter the medical device market. Medical device production in Australia has grown by 1.3 per cent annually since 2012 and is now valued at AU$3 billion a year according to IBISWorld. South Australia is emerging as a hub for the medical devices industry and is home to the Tonsley Innovation Hub and the Adelaide BioMed City precinct, a $3 billion tripartite health hub comprising a major hospital, research centres and educational institutions. The Tonsley hub is located on the site of a former Mitsubishi car manufacturing plant and major tenants include medical device manufacturer Micro-X, Siemens and ZEN Energy. International optical and optoelectronics firm ZEISS is also about to move into a new $6 million premises at the hub. The downturn in world commodity prices has forced South Australian company Plastico and Hackett Engineering to shift its focus from mineral analysis equipment development to components for orthopaedic implants. The company first dabbled in medical devices in 2014 but has now decided to make it a major focus following collaboration with another Adelaide-based firm, Austofix. Plastico and Hackett Managing Director David Schiller said 20 years’ experience making mining components had it well placed to succeed in the medical field. “The decline of the mining industry in Australia has forced us to look at other things,” he said. “China seems to be commanding a large chunk of the mining components manufacturing and we have seen our business move […]

Bungala solar project achieves ‘clean energy’ firsts in Australia

Australia has taken another significant step forward in improving its reliance on clean energy with the recent financial close of the first of two phases of the 300 MWac Bungala Solar Photovoltaic (PV) project near Port Augusta, South Australia. The project, which is being sold to two of Europe’s biggest investors in renewables, the Italian Enel Green Energy and the Dutch Infrastructure Fund, has achieved several industry ‘firsts’. One of several large-scale solar projects proposed for South Australia, it will be the first to begin construction. It is also amongst the first large solar farms to participate in Australia’s frequency control and ancillary services (FCAS) market, using inverter technology to provide voltage control for the grid. Once fully operational, the project will generate sufficient energy for approximately 130 000 homes and assist the grid with ancillary services. Global engineering and infrastructure advisory company Aurecon has been engaged by the EPC contractor Green Light Contractors, subsidiary of Elecnor Australia, to provide design services for Phases One and Two of the solar farm, including preparation of management plans as well as assisting with commissioning of the project. These phases of the Bungala Solar Project form part of a number of large scale solar farms to be built in Australia in 2018. Next year, six new large scale solar farms in Queensland, five in New South Wales and one in Western Australia are set to be constructed. “The Bungala Solar Project will support Australia’s commitment to a greener economy and create a number of jobs in the Port Augusta region for years to come. The project is being fast-tracked and we will be able to see the tangible results within a short amount of time, with the first electricity to be supplied to the grid by the first quarter of next year, with […]

Comment on the Australian Budget

Dr. Alex Wonhas. The policy direction outlined in the 2017-2018 Australian Federal Budget marks a distinct move away from a long-standing and bipartisan market led approach to energy. According to Dr Alex Wonhas, Aurecon’s Managing Director, Energy, Resources & Manufacturing, the policy direction outlined in the 2017-2018 Australian Federal Budget marks a distinct move away from a long-standing and bipartisan market led approach to energy to one of targeted direct intervention and government investment in the energy sector. “The 2017 May Budget contains a number of measures aimed at improving the affordability and reliability of energy in form of investment in infrastructure and institutions,” he said. The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to invest in Snowy Hydro 2.0 and to potentially buy a greater share or even obtain outright ownership from NSW and Vic, who currently own 58% and 29% respectively. The Government has also made a promise to retain Snowy Hydro in public ownership. Mr Wonhas said that the 2017-2018 Australian Federal Budget foreshadows investments in other new generation such as a solar thermal plant at Port Augusta, transmission and storage infrastructure, as well as a $90m energy security plan. “It is true that the areas identified by Government are likely to require future investment. Further detail regarding the energy security plan will be eagerly anticipated by the industry,” said Dr Wonhas. “In order to improve its energy security, Australia will need to find cost effective ways to store or transport energy from where and when it is produced to where and when it is needed as energy supply will become increasingly variable through the expected uptake of renewable energy. “The growth of wind and solar will become less and less dependent on subsidies as these technologies have now reached the tipping point of becoming cost competitive with new […]

Australia’s first certified flame-retardant polyurea coating

The economic impact of corrosion is often exacerbated in harsh climatic environments and in workplaces with heavy traffic wear from operation of large vehicles and equipment. Excessive moisture, heat and abrasion can accelerate the deterioration of machinery, vehicles and assets. Applying a protective surface coating is one way of minimising or reducing the effect. One coating material for harsh conditions—including those in a combat zone—supplied by Rhino Linings Australia (RLA) is Rhino Extreme 11-50 FR. While the material has been available for several years, it was only late in 2016 that the fire resistant nature of the product received certification. RLA’s Technical Manager, Robert Idzes, said “The formal certification of Rhino Extreme 11-50 FR has opened up a range of new opportunities for industrial and commercial applications of the product.” The spray-applied pure polyurea is suitable for any application, such as a fuel bund—secondary containment area—that requires a fire resistant surface. Historically, bunds have been constructed of concrete or brick, but in recent years have been coated with a spray-applied pure polyurea or welded plastic liner to prevent leaks. Fire is a potential hazard if a leak does occur, especially where fuel, sodium hydroxide, sulphuric acid and other highly flammable materials are stored. The flame resistant properties of Rhino Extreme 11-50 FR significantly reduces the burn rate allowing safety officers and staff time to extinguish the flames before major damage is caused to the liner or catastrophic failure occurs. “The Rhino Extreme 11-50 FR is the latest Flame Retardant product to meet US Federal Aviation Regulation 25 (FAR 25) Flammability testing for aircraft,” said Denis Baker, Special Projects Engineer at RLA. “In addition, it also meets UL 94, which is another high standard at the moment for coatings.” The FAR 25.853 tests the self-extinguishing performance of materials under fire conditions. […]

Kaeser delivers high quality compressed air to Malabar WWTP

As part of the Malabar Waste Water Treatment Plant Process and Reliability / Renewal Improvement Project being delivered by 4Malabar, an ageing compressed air system at the plant was recently upgraded with three Kaeser CSDX series rotary screw compressors, along with a Sigma Air Manager 4.0 compressed air management system. Australia’s largest water and wastewater service provider, Sydney Water is a State Owned Corporation wholly owned by the New South Wales Government. Sydney Water collects and treats around 1.5 billion litres of wastewater each day through a network of over 25,000 kilometres of wastewater pipes, 677 pumping stations, 14 water recycling plants and 16 wastewater treatment plants. Malabar Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) is Sydney Water’s largest wastewater treatment plant. It has an average daily discharge of almost 500 ML. A significant project was initiated at Malabar WWTP to improve the reliability of the processes that treat wastewater, to ensure Malabar WWTP continues to comply with its environment protection license requirements, improve safety and working conditions and reduce operating costs. This will ensure that Sydney Water continues to deliver great value for their customers and better conditions for their staff. The Project is being delivered by 4Malabar, an alliance between Sydney Water, John Holland, UGL Engineering and GHD. Work on the Improvement Project started in 2014 and is expected to be completed by mid-2019. Since work has commenced, a number of improvements have been completed and include an upgrade of the ageing compressed air system. Compressed air is used for a number of plant site services across Malabar WWTP including valving, pneumatic actuation and sparging. A reliable and efficient supply of quality compressed air is critical to deliver these site services and was therefore a key criteria in selecting the new system. Following a successful tender process, three Kaeser CSDX […]

United supply forklifts and reach trucks to Bluestar Global Logistics

United Forklift and Access Solutions’ exceptional customer service and problem solving ingenuity have won them a major contract with nation-wide logistics leader Bluestar Global Logistics, which offer a one-stop shop for logistics service, including national door to door deliveries, international freight forwarding and 3PL warehousing. United supplied over 60 units to Bluestar’s depots nationally. A combination of heavy duty and high performance CAT 2.5t LPG forklifts, CAT 3.0t LPG forklifts and CAT 1.6t electric reach trucks were chosen for the task, which are ideally suited to heavy-use industries like logistics, warehousing and transport. “In a competitive tender, United were the standout company, because their service truly went above and beyond,” said Mr Peter James, Asset & Compliance Manager, Bluestar Global Logistics. Before submitting their tender, United visited each of Bluestar’s national offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth to assess areas where they could provide cost-saving solutions that optimised efficiency and productivity. United’s National Major Accounts Manager, Mr Mark Pemberton, and his team identified two major problem areas where United could provide innovative solutions. “We discovered that the hosing and hydraulic cylinders in their old fleet were left too exposed, and they were having to replace them frequently due to damage. Our CAT forklifts have been fitted with a low profile hose which is positioned further back, along with a custom designed and manufactured cylinder protector. “Both of these features reduce damage to these otherwise vulnerable parts and enhance the overall safety of the machines, ultimately reducing the cost of life to our customer” says Mr Pemberton. “The other wear issue we identified was that the heel of the forklift tynes was wearing out over time, and once it’s worn past a certain point, the forklift is no longer standards or safety compliant. “We added a lift cylinder spacer, […]

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