Category Winner: Engineering by design
Transpower – Generator reactive capability modelling
Demonstrated best practice engineering and technology by design to deliver an improved engineering and technology outcome.
As part of maintaining system security, the System Operator at Transpower must maintain voltages within acceptable limits. The control system (SCADA) could only model one curve which oversimplified a generation assets voltage regulation capability. A new process was developed to introduce a hybrid curve that better represented capability leveraging historical and current operating data. As well as increasing efficiency and addressing voltage stability constraints, these new curves increase the amount of generation able to be offered into the market, which ultimately benefits New Zealand electricity consumers through reduced wholesale electricity prices.
The judges said: We commend your clever innovation, which introduced new ways of working and changed the way Transpower operates. Remarkable engineering by design.
Category Winner: Investment in our industry future
Northpower – Attracting and growing talent for New Zealand’s new energy future
Making a significant investment in the engineering and technology future of the transmission industry.
With an aging workforce and a historic lack of investment in training young people, the electricity sector is facing significant resource challenges. In 2018, Northpower set out to address this, making significant investments in training programmes for young people, launching trade and engineering cadetships, both with pathways into full-time employment. Working with external partners, Northpower is now training and hiring the next generation of industry leaders to address the skills gap. With programme graduates now employed at Northpower, the initiative is going from strength to strength, having created jobs, produced work-ready trainees, and provided opportunities to local communities.
The judges said: We appreciate your holistic approach to considering real-life barriers for people entering the industry and your approach to getting them involved! A standout example of investing in our industry future.
Category Winner: Collaboration
Transpower – Improving community wellbeing by researching and controlling noise from new overhead transmission line conductors
Collaborated in a way that resulted in an improved project outcome, innovation, and growth of the transmission industry’s engineering and technology capability.
Maintaining good relationships with communities is a priority at Transpower. During a significant rewiring project, the team discovered the new transmission line had the potential to cause noise which was of concern to communities living near the lines. In wet conditions the new tranmission line were noisier than the ones they replaced. The issue was solved through collaboration and ground-breaking engineering and technology, achieving some world firsts. New transmission line can now be tested and treated before being installed, and then monitored to prevent the potential for noise disturbance. When using the new process on another rewiring project, no noise issues were raised.
The judges described this as a standout example of excellence. Embracing the opportunity for improvement and collaborating with experts to find a clever technical solution, all the while bringing the community along on the journey.
Category Winner: Sustainability
Beca – Future proofing the New Zealand grid through sustainable innovations – Clutha Upper Waitaki Lines Project (CUWLP)
An initiative that will provide long-term positive impacts on the environment.
The Clutha Upper Waitaki Lines Project (CUWLP) has not only paved the way for a resilient electricity network but has also taken a step to building a more sustainable future. The process of upgrading transmission lines and substations require a considerable amount of concrete and steel, instead of the standard approach of demolishing the old and installing new, Beca opted to think differently and re-use as much as possible. Through smart innovations such as optimisation of standard designs, reusing existing materials, the carbon footprint of the project was substantially reduced.
The judges said: We were impressed with the simplicity of your approach. They commend an attitude that embodies sustainability and exemplifies what is necessary to achieve sustainable outcomes.
Category Winner: Value engineering
ElectroNet – Speeding up electrification – the ElectroNet Modular Switchroom Solution
An innovation that demonstrates the greatest whole of life nett benefits to support our energy future.
When ElectroNet was awarded the Transpower 33 kV Outdoor to Indoor (ODID) conversion design project they faced the challenge of delivering in a very short timeframe. This challenge led to the development of its design and build Modular Switchroom Solution (MOSS) product. MOSS is transportable switchroom which can be built ahead of and in parallel with site works, saving significant time (3 weeks instead of months), reducing weight and carbon footprint. It is an innovative, value engineered product that has addressed existing challenges but has also meant greater flexibility to adjust location during construction due to its portability.
The judges said: Your entire project approach was exceptional. They appreciated the continued refinements made and the benefits of starting the build before on site, which had an incredible impact on reducing the time it took to commission.
Category Winner: Complex and challenging
Transpower – The ICON life extension defect model
A complex engineering and technology challenge resolved in an elegant and straightforward manner.
Transpower’s transmission lines span the length of the country and in many places are exposed to highly corrosive environments. Corrosion can cause ‘bulge’ defects on the wires which are identified as part of a drone programme. The ICON defect model uses this data to provide a “fitness for service” assessment. This is a first for power transmission asset management and allows Transpower to better plan replacement of the transmission lines, improved management of risk and a significant cost saving over five years.
The judges described this as a hugely innovative project, not seen internationally. They said the resulting cost savings from using aerial shots to find defects then assigning descriptions through a single model using sophisticated modelling was innovative, unique and impressive.
2022 Transpower Engineering and Technology Excellence Awards Judges’ Commendations
The judges also awarded three commendations to:
- Solnet, Simpson Grierson, Blue Tiki Consulting and Transpower for their work on the new Transmission Pricing Methodology (Transpower Proposal to the Electricity Authority; Development of new benefit-based charge methodologies; and Transmission Pricing System)
- Power Systems consultants, Qual IT Solutions and The Software Revolution Inc in partnership with Transpower for their work on the automated PL/SWL code conversion to Java as part of the Market System Simplification programme
- The team involved with developing Envision Opportunities – a geospatial software solution that allows customers to identify the right location for new electricity generations sites.
Congratulations again to you all!