Dave Andrews

I don’t often cross platform post; but this thread of tweets from Sam Berridge is an absolute must read for those that don’t understand the extraordinary tilting of the playing field towards renewables that has been happening with the current Australian energy policy settings. https://lnkd.in/gjbgYj8v At the same time as offering these extraordinary concessions; our government outright bans a technology that could quite possibly play a serious role in our energy landscape. And the only argument of the anti nuclear squad that might possibly seem to stick is that we’ve left it too late… and so because we’ve left it too late there is no point in lifting the ban now. Which is an extraordinarily poor and shallow argument. It would have been good to already have a civilian nuclear generation industry. But we’ve got a lot of other pieces of the puzzle and it’s never too late to get cracking! The Parliamentary Inquiry hearings into Nuclear Energy are well underway. I would urge everyone to view the recordings of the range of presentations given and decide for yourself which side seems to be more based on facts and science and which seems to be peddling in ideology and fear.

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Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise GHD is at the TSBE industry event in Dalby this week. Key highlights from the Renewables Panel discussion led by John Sheldon who opened with the topic of social licence and discussing renewables with the panel participents from OEM, Developer and DNSP perspective respectfully: Richard Petterson ( Tindo Solar ) a GW solar factory is a target and would provide 250 jobs for the region, risk for projects being backed is a concern, global competition for equipment is real, investing in Australia’s capability is a desire, $250-$300million a year, the region in general has been proactive in creating the capital for renewable energy to make it desirable for OEM’s to come here. David Smith (Cubico Sustainable Investments ) Wind, Solar and CSP developer globally. Supply chain for renewables is very important, Australia projects are competing against Europe and US markets. Solar economics in utilities in Queensland are not as lucrative as Wind right now. Focus on the 35 years that the project is running and the supply chain is a focus because there are few OEM’s in the wind turbine space and mostly manufacturered offshore, but there are other local investment through council, labour, land lease and sourcing local services or construction jobs. Primarily local jobs for BOP, roads (80km’s), gravel that needs to be sourced, earthworks. Investment in Western Downs. Tower manufacturing locally would’ve been ideal but there is risk involved. Many projects are under development in the region. A pipeline if 10-15 year of projects will need people and there are real opportunities. Lessons learnt from the coal/gas industry during social licence are taken into account, the renewables industry are focussed on the journey of making sure that social licence is done correctly and that there is a code of conduct for developers. There is a lot of innitiatives in progress. Glenn Springall (Energex) Globally Queensland is one of the leading rooftop solar capacity at 6GW and expect in the next years to come it will double to 12GW. Renewable Energy allows customers to take part in their own electrification of their home. This includes electrical vehicles. Small businesses are participating and taking advantage of the roof space. As we move to a greater penetration the centralised projects play a key role, but the decentralised projects all contribute to a greater and diverse electrification. #labour #construction #renewables #queensland #oem #solar #developers #energex #tindosolar #cubico #ghd #power #utilities #energy #community #TBSE ✨🌱 we would love to hear from you and how we can work with your organisation to reach your goals in the Renewable Energy & Power Generation Industry Daniel Todd Chetan Chauhan Steve Yeardley ————————————————————- GHD are providing clients with integrated solutions through engineering, environmental, design and construction expertise helping communities with resilience and sustainability.

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EXTAG Quokka tuning in to Rio Tinto’s panel on enhancing frontline workforce efficiency through digital transformation at the recent WA Mining Conference & Exhibition. Some key takeaways 👀 🔺 SAP as a Single Source of Truth Trust in data is built on data ownership at Rio Tinto. 🔺 Adaptability is Key Progressive deployment is essential for digital transformation across the frontline, with adaptability being critical to Rio Tinto’s approach. 🔺 Transformation Timeline Rio Tinto's recent digital transformation journey revealed that it can take over 12 months from initial discussions to a purchase order, with an additional 2-3 years for testing and acceptance. Very insightful! 🐾 Originally introduced by Defence West (and the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation) at the Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition 2024, EXTAG Quokka has since been accompanying EXTAG - Custom Asset Management System, tuning into market pulse and sentiment. #Mining #DigitalTransformation #SaaS

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EXTAG Quokka tuning in to Rio Tinto’s panel on enhancing frontline workforce efficiency through digital transformation at the recent WA Mining Conference & Exhibition. Some key takeaways 👀 🔺 SAP as a Single Source of Truth  Trust in data is built on data ownership at Rio Tinto. 🔺 Adaptability is Key Progressive deployment is essential for digital transformation across the frontline, with adaptability being critical to Rio Tinto’s approach. 🔺 Transformation Timeline  Rio Tinto's recent digital transformation journey revealed that it can take over 12 months from initial discussions to a purchase order, with an additional 2-3 years for testing and acceptance. Very insightful! 🐾 Originally introduced by Defence West (and the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation) at the Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition 2024, EXTAG Quokka has since been accompanying EXTAG - Custom Asset Management System, tuning into market pulse and sentiment. #Mining #DigitalTransformation #SaaS

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**WA'S MORAL OBLIGATION TO HELP WORLD DECARBONISE REAFFIRMED BY WA GOVERNMENT - so why no URANIUM?*** 👏 👏 Thank you WA Energy Minister Reece Whitby; for recognising that "the State does have a duty to the rest of the world in attempting to tackle climate change." “Whatever WA can do to help the world decarbonise above and beyond our share of emissions, is something we just must do. If that means putting extra pressure on our emissions as a State, it’s our burden to shoulder for a greater reduction in global emissions." “Mining our iron ore, our lithium, all our critical minerals – and yes, our gas – help other economies decarbonise.” So this begs the question: What about our URANIUM? Exporting uranium is the single highest leverage activity Western Australia can do to help the world decarbonise. We have an industry here ready to fly - and provide diversified employment options to replace those jobs lost in nickel, lithium and iron ore. Ministers Whitby; David Michael and Premier Roger Cook KNOW its time to address this issue. ⏰ Lets take the politics out of this issue and make a change for the State that is common sense. PLEASE REPOST!

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Leaving the Pilbara Summit 2024 today after some great discussions and learnings. We partnered as NEXTDC with Sandra McInnes from Pilbara Minerals Limited as well as Simon Parker from Vocus on an Innovation and Infrastructure Panel session where we were able to discuss digital infrastructure as it relates to physical and cyber security, equity in capability against major metropolitan cities, and contribution and opportunity for remote communities. I learned over the last couple of days that the desire and intent to create sustainable growth in the Pilbara is limited by challenges in housing, energy, sustainability, and agreements on opportunity. Great progress is being made but some of the challenges need new solutions. Interestingly whilst the discussions touched on AI and Cyber over the 2 days I observed many use cases that I can see including safety, data analytics for research and predictive AI, cyber security and CCTV automated reviews, OT Security, logistics and digital twin opportunities and many others as the investment is made in new technology in our data centres by some of the larger enterprises in accelerated compute. #NEXTDC #VOCUS #whereaithrives #wherethecloudlives #NVIDIA #Pilbara24 #miningAI

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The causes and conditions for system security issues in the later half of this decade are beginning to emerge; a lack of markets and easy commercial models for the scale of the orchestrated DER required under the ISP, cost escalations in transmission and renewables construction projects beginning to hike, and global demand for transition shifting in multiple countries simultaneously. We do not have enough engineers organised into corporate vehicles aimed at this transition for any of us to have a degree of comfort, and too much cost pressure will mean that head contractors are forced to weight price far too heavily when projects are being scoped and term sheets agreed. Its time. EPC and asset management companies need scaling plans and suitable business and operating models to provide a robust and resilient pathway to delivering the transition quickly, and efficiently. In the power sector, we need to realise we are about to become a nation of builders, not coordinators. Simone Rennie Ian Rakich David Melis Damien Backholer Phillip Vrettakis Guy Ravindra Chris Wade Tim Brunner Elizabeth Renteria

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***IMPORTANT ENERGY TRANSITION COST DISCLOSURE*** Further to my post of yesterday on the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) ISP. #auspol So that everyone is crystal clear, to deliver the AEMO plan, ~>90% of all households are assumed to fork out about $15k each to buy a Tesla Powerall and then let the network use it (that is >$200bn). Similarly, they need to all go and buy an electric car ($30-50k minimum each?) and let the network use that as well? (i havent costed that one!) And then risk trying to drive to work in the morning and realise the network has used your the battery overnight? Not saying this tech can't work - it absolutely can. But its not perfectly synchronous (the model has been "overfit"); and these costs should be disclosed so we can all understand how much it will really cost. Now whilst this CER expenditure is carefully designed to be "out of scope", if AEMO were interested in transparency, they could easily provide these estimates so a more fulsome cost of the AEMO plan could be considered by the public. But they choose not to. Make up your own mind as to the reason for that. To assist, I have very quickly added in a graph showing what the present value of assumed Powerwall expenditure CER (not the cars) does to the AEMO's disclosed $121bn in capex. This is just ONE of the carefully designed "out of scope" costs. Is it still really the cheapest way?? If we had strong baseload generation (hydro, nuclear, geothermal) it is clear such volume of batteries would not be required.

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✨Learn how Cubility Pty Ltd can speed up your modernization journey while reducing costs.

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🌟 Breaking stereotypes: UGL’s Metronet Railcar Manufacturing Facility at Bellevue in WA is redefining diversity in the construction industry. With significant female representation across roles, including traditionally male-dominated positions, our team is challenging norms and reshaping narratives. Managed by EastRail, a joint venture between UGL and ADCO Constructions, this project sets a benchmark for inclusivity. Between UGL and our subcontractor, the project boasts 35% female participation in various project domains. https://okt.to/EKDAIk Their dedication, professionalism, and expertise have left a lasting impact on safety and productivity. At UGL, we're committed to fostering diversity and inclusion. Our Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP) and WomenUGL initiative underscores our dedication towards gender balance. Join us in building a future where everyone thrives.https://okt.to/R91T2B #unitewiththeverybest #EmpoweringWomen #FutureOfWork

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Construction trades have always been about learning on the job, however, none of those practical skills prepared me for the reality of running a subcontracting business.

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The driving force behind WSP in Australia Australia's onboarding software success. The secret to seamless onboarding isn’t just automation. It’s having the right support every step of the way. Quick answers when you need them. Real-time issue resolution. Experts by your side. Onboard Express isn’t just about technology. It’s about human-backed assistance that makes the difference

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Australia stands at a pivotal moment in renewable technology. While we possess the critical minerals and mining prowess to lead global innovation, significant gaps in our domestic supply chain hold us back from realising this potential. The Minerals to Megawatts CRC aims to drive the transformation of Australia's natural advantages into sovereign manufacturing capability by bridging crucial gaps across the renewable technology landscape. This isn't just about meeting climate targets: it's about positioning Australia as a renewable technology powerhouse, securing our energy independence, and capturing substantial export opportunities in a rapidly evolving global market. Visit our website to learn more about our work in renewable technology innovation. #renewable #mineralstomegawatts #innovation #energy

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Last month, investors connected with an exciting lineup of emerging ASX-listed resources, healthcare, and technology companies at the Sydney Opera House as part of the Jane Morgan Management (JMM) Sydney Lunch. TerraCom Limited (ASX:TER) is an Australian based miner with coal mines in Australia and South Africa. With a global footprint, TerraCom is a low-cost producer of high-quality #coal supported by a stable business model. The Company’s owner-operated Blair Athol Project in central Queensland forms the bedrock, producing ~1.8Mt of export quality coal annually. While the energy transition has caused uncertainty for coal investors in recent years, the reality is the world’s reliance on coal for energy is going to persist for some time. According to Commodity Insights demand for high CV thermal coal will lift 20% by 2040, creating a 139Mt shortage. View more from $TER Managing Director, Danny McCarthy: https://lnkd.in/gJsdf3jt

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The Cook Labor Government is setting WA families up for regular blackouts with an unrealistic plan to manage the transition to net zero. A WA Liberal government will deliver affordable and reliable energy for Western Australians. We will build 300MW of new gas generation capacity so there is enough affordable energy to keep WA families from sitting in the dark. We also won't turn off baseload generation until our energy grid is properly prepared to transition to other sources of energy. This isn't just realistic - it's just common sense. Only a WA Liberal government will keep the lights on and air conditioners running at a price that Western Australians can afford.

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GHD is at the Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise event in Dalby this week The topics range from renewable energy to the transition away from coal and alternatives for baseload: Key highlights from the panel discussion Coal and the Surat Basin led by Dr Anthony Lynham Opening statement that Surat has the highest quality of coal globally. Janette Hewson ( Queensland Resources Council ) raised the point around that the energy mix will be market led. And export partners that are looking to import energy resources. David O’Dwyer ( New Hope Group ) Continue with playing a big role in Queensland but project’s are difficult. Process & discussions are challenging. Coal mines have logistics and a single railway line going to Brisbane because export is the main form of income. There is massive demand for coal for other countries that need import coal. The quality of coal is high from Australia and we have to be competitive in the international market. Quality keeps Australia in the market and the logistics line is important. Inland rail is important. It is important for Australia to make a decision on what the baseload energy will look like whichever energy mix it may be when coal transitions we will be requiring a solution that can sustain the loads requiring the energy. Emma Roberts ( CS Energy ) discussed the importance of safe and stable power to the state as the transition is happening. Clean Energy Hubs are the key that will help to transition into renewable energy. #energytransition #cleanenergyhubs #ports #inlandrail #coalexport #energyandmining #mining #supplychain #thermalpricing #TBSE ✨🌱 we would love to hear from you and how we can work with your organisation to reach your goals in the Renewable Energy & Power Generation Industry ————————————————————- GHD is a global network of multi disciplinary professionals providing clients with integrated solutions through engineering, environmental, design and construction expertise. Our future focussed innovative approaches connect and support communities with resilience and sustainability. Reach out to discuss your next Wind, Solar, BESS or Power project. Daniel Todd Chetan Chauhan Steve Yeardley

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#LongDurationStorage #LDS #NSW #Australia #PumpedStorage #PumpedHydro #EnergyTransition #CleanEnergy #Renewables The New South Wales Government has published today a position paper where they state the minimum dispatch duration for LDS infrastructure will remain at 8 hours in legislation. As of now (October 2024), that implies pumped hydro projects. Pumped hydro is the only viable solution for LDS right now, despite the complexity and long lead-times involved. Pumped storage remains the key to ensure the plan of having 82% of the Australian energy coming from renewables by 2030. To provide longer term policy certainty, an additional minimum objective will be legislated requiring the construction of 28 GWh of LDS by 31 December 2033 (the "2034 minimum objective"). This involves an additional 12 GWh by 2034 beyond the existing 2030 objective. Many thanks to my friend/colleague Helen Barbour-Bourne for sharing her post on the Position paper: Long Duration Storage Review (nsw.gov.au) https://lnkd.in/gHC-VKrd

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